MEET THE SURFRIDER ARTIST, IAN ROSS

A prolific muralist, ceramicist, installation artist, and sculptor, Ian Ross is a California based interdisciplinary artist whose love of the natural world deeply influences his practice. Creative since he was a young child, Ross was raised in a family with three generations of artists. Born and raised in the Bay Area, he draws from his meditative, solitary experiences in Northern California’s forests and beaches to inform his signature approach to abstract imagery.

Ross’s background in ceramic sculpture comes through in his painting style. Similarly to the way he works with clay, he paints with gestural marks that respond to the medium’s tactile qualities. Whether working on a canvas, a wall, a beach, or a sculpture, Ross allows himself to get carried away in an intuitive creative process, channeling the calm he feels while communing with nature through organic shapes.  

I find endless inspiration in nature, the physicality of my movements when painting create a connection with everything around me. By staying present and positive in my thoughts and intentions, my work evolves and grows into its finished form without a road map or plan. Rather, a subconscious learning process connects me and the viewers of my work to something larger than ourselves that is also part of us too.  

Whether paint, clay, rakes, or biodegradable materials in the forest, I always try to discover something new in my process, every time. I open myself up to the endless possibilities before me, and channel energy into the work through my hands. As my works of art evolve, I feel into the meaning and process, where novel ideas and imagery lead me down a path of personal growth. I believe this path is the goal.

I have been obsessed with surfing for 30 years. I have snowboarded for just as long, but I live near the ocean. The connection to energy is something profound for me in the water. I describe it as a river of constant energy that flows into the land and through us, charging my battery. The connection to the mountains is just as fulfilling, where every day, every moment, is unique and rewarding. A life spent in nature, caring for each other, is the true way for our species to thrive. 

I have always created my work in a freestyle manner, giving myself fully to the present moment, making me vulnerable and exposed to all kinds of energy in the environment around me. This can be especially taxing on my body and mind, but I believe it’s my service to others to give the most of myself possible in each piece I create. Painting live in front of others brings me to a flow state, hyper-concentration, where I’m most alive. When I paint murals on the street, I want to be able to receive everything coming at me from all angles, letting it influence the process. By working in this way, I live in the now to the utmost. 

I cry almost every day. My walls of protection against the world and others are not built to keep energy out. I prefer to let it flow into me. I appreciate little things so much. Beautiful moments in nature, laughter, and inspiring people can trigger such intense happiness and gratitude that it just comes out. 

 I have a Savannah cat named Jack that comes with me to the beach. We hike in the mountains with no leash, and he hangs out the window of the car like a dog. The way that he engages people in surprise and love is a special gift we can share in places where people least expect it.  

 I love the rain so much, from the olfactory rewards of all the plants opening themselves to the storm, to the sounds of every surface activating like drums on my studio’s roof, the vertical intensity of so many moving droplets, and the space created in busy places when people are hiding from the “bad weather.” I drive a sprinter van because I absolutely love surfing and exploring on rainy days. 🙂