An Interview with surf artist Becky Luth
An Interview with surf artist Becky Luth
Reflecting Spirit Gallery has rencently had the pleasure of interviewing the talented surf artist Becky Luth about her work and her artistic passion. “Most of her art is related to the ocean and has been inspired by her travels and experiences surfing, diving, snorkeling and exploring the beaches and tide pools.”
Meet Becky Luth!
Q: Tell us about your background; where are you from; where do you currently live?
I grew up on a farm in rural Montana and as a little girl, dreamed of becoming a Marine Biologist. At 17, I moved to San Diego, acquired a Marine Biology degree and made those dreams a reality. Since then, my husband and I have traveled around the world and have lived in California, Papua New Guinea and Tanzania. We currently live in the Okanagan region of BC.
Q: When did you start painting and how did it become your career?
Growing up, I knew next to nothing about art, as my dreams were in the sciences, so I didn’t actually start to paint until after I was married. My husband, Rick, is an artist and I used to watch him draw and paint. One day he explained to me how to use colour and it opened up a newworld to me and I gave it a try…since then, I have not stopped painting and exploring the discovery that art is a science, and science is an art.
In 2012, art became the focus of my carreer . After living in Tanzania, where our oldest son was severely burned. We had to make the decision to return to North America for his medical care. This unforeseen move made a drastic change in my life and career as we were now inland, much too far away from the ocean for me to continue my life as a marine biologist and avid surfer. This time of re-defining came through in my art and I began painting my first surf paintings of bold line and colours. I also made the decision at that time to take ownership of my art and began to sign them as Beki and no longer RLLuth (Rebekah L. Luth) which was just a hiding behind my husband’s artistic talent who signed his work as RLuth. Signy, at Reflecting Spirit Gallery, was the first to take on my work and has been such an encouragement to me to keep pursuing!
Q: What inspires you the most?
My inspiration is largely from what is tangible in nature, especially the ocean, I am intrigued with the patterns and rhythms that often reflect and help us to understand patterns and rhythms in our own lives. But my fascination lies in the intangible, the hidden realms of our imaginations, our dreams, and our mysterious connection with an invisible Creator that created a visible world for us to explore and appreciate.
Q
: How long have you been surfing for and where are your favourite surf spots?
I have been surfing off and on for almost 25 years. Some of my favourite surf spots are in California; (Ventura County and San Diego), mainly because they are breaks that I surfed all the time and really got to know them. The cold water surfing has been a change, but I have enjoyed surfing Cox Bay and North Chesterman in our times out to Vancouver Island. But in my years of surfing, Costa Rica tops them all.
Q: How would you compare surfing to art or art to surfing?
In surfing, my personal philosophy is, “if a wave presents itself, take it!” There is no harm in trying. What I love about surfing is every wave is different, and every break is different. Every time you surf a new break, you have to get to know it; the bottom topography, and how it is affected by the tides, the swell direction, and the winds.
Art to me has been like learning a new break, it has been a difficult learning curve and I have spent most of my time getting stuck in the impact zone pounded by wave after wave, often drowning in frustration and despair. This process is humbling but strengthens the muscles and produces a perseverance and determination that keeps one going. The thrill and success however of riding a wave makes the hard work so rewarding. Surfing and art are my favorite ways to explore and appreciate this visible world.
Q: What other artists are you influenced by?
My husband, Rick, has truly been my biggest influence, as well as my 4 artistic sons and their freedom of expression. As for known artists, I really like the bold lines of Van Gogh, the abstract shapes of Lawren Harris and the way AJ Casson paints light.
Q: Could you tell us about your artistic style and technique?
I can’t say I really have a particular style or technique yet as I am continually growing and changing, but I would have to say most of my work has bold shapes and colour. To me it is an expression of living the inner life out loud and I feel I am still in the ABC’s of this visual language, with small stories just beginning to form.
Q: What is your favourite project or art piece you have done?
I 
have a few stepping-stone pieces that I am pleased with such as: Portal to the Sea, Vancouver Island Surfing, Whale Balloons and Where the whales Play. Usually they stem from a new opportunity or they go along with a breakthrough of huge frustration. So many times I have wanted to quit and the times I have persevered, suddenly there it is. (it’s a lot like learning how to surf actually!)
Q: How has your style changed over the years?
I began by painting impressionist landscapes in oil, and explored watercolours in various styles, but it was in teaching art to a Grade 1 class that really freed me into a more abstract style in acrylics. My style keeps changing with the opportunities that present themselves. A recent event, “Art Wars” that I participated in, (we had 20 minutes to complete a painting), really opened up and broke me out of my “attention to detail” style and I am excited to keep painting in this new found freedom!
Q: What are your future plans and goals?
Our lives have changed so much that it is difficult to make future plans and goals, but I do hope that one day I can be back by the ocean surfing and sharing my art. With some of the latest, more imaginative pieces I have been doing, I would love to see them in a children’s hospital as a means of healing through this visual language.
For more of Becky's work: http://www.reflectingspirit.ca/artists/becky-luth
