PureJoy Is Back: Celebrating 30 Years of Surf Art

In Celebration of Thirty Years of Surf Art

In 1996 I had written out all the things in my life that I wanted, I dreamed of every detail. I written that I wanted a beautiful wife and kids, I wanted a house in San Clemente that we could call home, I wanted to travel the world surfing and creating art with my family. By 2001 all of these dreams were coming true.

Drew Brophy with Dylan as a young child — *One of the family moments that reflects this chapter of life.*

Black and white portrait of Dylan — *Dylan, whose look began to mirror the character in PureJoy.*

I had made a huge shift as an artist during this time. My art began to be happier full of Joy, far different than the edgier of the lost years. The next series of paintings reflect this moment in time.

The Beginning of PureJoy

“PureJoy” was the pinnacle of this period, it depicts a little boy riding the nose, with the sun smiling, I knew at the moment I made the small sketch that is was going to be special.

It captures the essence of riding waves, free energy, PureJoy.

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I had been drawing this long haired little boy for years, I always thought it was a version of me, but as my son Dylan grew up, he looked just like this character that I had been drawing all these years.

Dylan standing beside his artwork at an art show — *Dylan growing up surrounded by art and creativity.*

Dylan and Drew on the beach after surfing — *Surfing and adventure became a huge part of our lives.*

Our lives have been full of adventure, I feel that I visualized all of it and made it it real. My life with my Wife and Son has been PureJoy, I can’t believe how it unfolded so beautifully.

Maria and Dylan standing in front of Drew Brophy artwork

A Life That Became Real

PureJoy makes me smile every time I see it, It was my first big hit, It was painted in my backyard of my house in San Clemente while Maria I looked after Dylan as a baby.

The original sold in the Surf Gallery in Laguna Beach. We have since sold thousands of prints, stickers and t-shirts of it spreading pure joy were ever it goes.

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