OMAG Otis College of Art & Design
RIDING BIG WAVES
Katie McLean '11 Digital Media
I dive into new waters any chance I get. When I saw Roxy Quiksilver's ‘Let the Sea Set You Free’ social media video competition offering the opportunity to surf, speak, and travel for Roxy as a brand ambassador, I grabbed my surfboard and camera, and took the plunge. My videos displayed my healthy lifestyle and surf travels, but more uniquely my creativity, philanthropy, and environmental efforts. I showed my sea-inspired designs and motion graphics from Otis, articles from surf magazines, public murals benefitting non-profits, DIY fashion, jewelry, singing, and my art gallery, Latitude, in the Funk Zone of Santa Barbara. I had no idea I'd be competing with 9,000 girls from around the world and am still in shock that 2 videos and 22,000 views later, I'm the new ‘Roxy Girl’ representing the Americas.
Next thing I know, I’m in Europe for my first time with the entire Roxy team for the 2012 Roxy Pro Biarritz surf contest on the women’s world tour. We are always followed by cameras. Every moment of our adventure in France and Spain are recorded and immediately released in webisodes on Roxy’s blog. It’s a whirlwind week in July that I excitedly share with the two other wide-eyed, warm-hearted, ambitious, and artistic ambassadors that Roxy chose. Together we explore the surf in Southern France, taste tapas in Spain, awe over meeting our idols at the surf contest, and indulge in the cheeses, pastries, wines, and this special moment in time. The environment is inspiring and Roxy encourages our creativity. Madison, from Bali, styles and shoots the Roxy models and I in San Sebastian. Emily, from the UK, plays her music at the Roxy Europe Headquarters recording studio. I’m given an array of Posca paint pens and a new surfboard from Christian Bradley. I illustrate a blue-eyed, ocean-haired goddess adorned with a necklace of sea life and the script ‘Let the Sea Set You Free.’ When Roxy leaves, I spend a slower week savoring the warm water waves and Basque lifestyle. I then wander Paris for 3 days on my own gathering beauty; camera in one hand, shopping bags in the other.
Travel always opens eyes, hearts, and doors. My videos caught the attention of celebrity-surfer foundation Project Save Our Surf, for whom I’m now an ambassador. In August, I traveled with them to Mexico where we taught young local girls environmental stewardship and how to surf, and I illustrated a mural of a blue-haired sea saint with an Aztec-inspired halo of ocean life. Taking from the textures and street signs in Sayulita, I’m creating a mural installation constructed of reclaimed boat parts and wine barrels for an October exhibition at my gallery, Latitude. ‘The Wine of Art’ will benefit Project Save Our Surf and feature the Funk Zone's knack for artistic upcycling, concentration of wineries, and community creatives and surfers.
The next Roxy trip this winter is still a secret, but we know we’ll be doing some creative community work. Until then, I’ll be freelancing, writing, videoing, designing, illustrating, surfing, and experimenting more with fashion and graphic art T’s. I’m always collaborating and exploring different mediums. I love having a huge palette of tools to choose from, so I can design the most unique solution to any problem. I’d like to one day be art director, but for now I’m riding this wave and I’m stoked. Join me at GYPSYEYE.COM
