original painting by Brooke Harker.
Artist’s Description: I went to this beach with a musician I met on the set of his music video. I had volunteered as an extra since the project was for charity. My friend was one of the producers and the project aimed to raise money for aid in disaster relief. Since the gig required me to be out the door at 5am on a Sunday morning, I attempted to talk myself out of being helpful, yet something inside wouldn’t let me stay home that day. Later I was really glad that I listened to that nagging voice inside that pushed me to go because being part of that project was life changing. Beyond getting to share my energy and years of experience in live entertainment to rev up the other extras, I met people who changed my life and heart forever. It was about a week after the music video filmed that I met my new friends in Laguna Beach and my world opened. I also went on an impromptu road trip with the singer/songwriter to San Diego. He too had an inspiring story. After years of being a professional wind surfer, his foot was bitten off by a tiger shark. While he spent a year in the hospital healing and learning to walk again after having his food sewn back on, a family member brought him a guitar and he learned to play and wrote music. That freak event led to his career as a musician and the opportunity to express something he might never have known…just a reminder that life is full of surprises along the path that lead us to places we never could have imagined. He took me to this surfer beach. While he chatted with his surfer friends, I sketched and painted.
There have been plenty of times in my life when I wasn’t quite sure how to connect with the people around me and it was easier to get out my art supplies and go into my own world. I felt that way on this day. I had a green pen and some watercolors with me which rendered on paper the inspiration for this painting. I waited four years before I felt compelled to make this larger painting on canvas. I often hold onto my sketches as my treasures until the time feels right to paint them. I will always be thankful for that musician’s project, as it really was a bridge in my life. Emerald Surf is dedicated to the wealth surfers know when they can only be present with the current. May we all know such peace and presence.
Brooke Harker
