Five sirenic surfboards make up the ‘Tribute to Nature’ series, creatures of marvel and the environment they represent: The Elephant and The White Tiger by land; The Butterfly by sky; The Whale Shark by sea; and the last, but not least, Black Marble, symbolizing the Earth and “the beauty beneath its surface—with some environmental imbalances,” says Dominika Zabczyk, the artist behind Dominiq Art. The common thread between these animals? They’ve all found themselves on a notorious list of endangered species. Whether habitat loss or degradation, overhunting and poaching, pollution and changes in climate, Zabczyk doesn’t care to ride out the wave till these creatures become officially marked extinct. So she’s captured them, metaphorically, in oil paint on reimagined surfboards. The concept started to crystallize as she began playfully sketching on the boards. “I was always inspired by nature and animals—their diversity, patterns on their bodies, vibrant colors. I knew I wanted to translate that majestic beauty and wisdom into paintings,” she says. “The limited edition collection is a reflection on how beautiful our world is and a gentle reminder that if we don’t take action, entire ecosystems will collapse.” The surfboards used for Zabczyk’s paintings were also given a chance of survival—rescued from disposal or abandonment and given a second chance to create a powerful message. 

SHOWING OFF THE BOARD'S LIVELY COLORS AND IMPERFECT TEXTURES AT THE PIER

“I wanted boards with soul,” she says. “I knew for this project I needed real boards surfed and loved by their human owners—encompassing stories and an energy that only used boards have.” Zabczyk has been sourcing used surfboards and repair expertise from Juan Rodriguez, a renowned and extremely talented local shaper of One World Surf Designs. Considering these rigs had seen better days, patching them up some before painting was a must. “The boards definitely needed some fixing and lots of love—their surfaces still showing some dings and imperfections, but not perfectly smoothed out on purpose.”

ZABCZYK CHECKS THE TIDES AT THE SOUTHEND OF ANNA MARIA ISLAND WITH HER UPCYCLED, SOULFUL SURFBOARDS

The medium was a challenge to work with, she admits, but eventually the canvas took shape in order for her to layer on her immortal subjects. After the boards were prepped with a base paint of solid black, Zabczyk sketched out the outlines, then painted the animals in rotation, explaining it takes days at a time to dry in between the layers. “I’d paint elephants on Mondays, sharks on Tuesdays, butterflies on Wednesday and so on,” she explains. “I could watch how they slowly started building the layers. Overall, it took me about four months to finish the series.” The most challenging, she admits being the butterfly, which needed the most pigment to achieve solid color, giving it that 3D look but without leaving brush marks. “I think this one was close to 20 layers, but, to be honest, after 15 I stopped counting.” 

SHOP THE 'TRIBUTE TO NATURE' SERIES AT DOMINIQART.COM, @DOMINIQART

Meanwhile, the stringer down the boards’ bodies she retouched with a gold line to symbolize towing the line of harmony, balance and connection between humans and nature—an invisible bond, she says, that keeps us all alive. The Tribute to Nature portraits purposely show half of the animal’s face or body, because, we, Zabczyk says, are the other half, and together we create a whole. After, an epoxy resin pour achieve a high gloss finish and reflection. Eyes become piercingly realistic, alive almost, from the glossy armor. “When you look into their eyes you’ll see your own reflection—a reminder that humans and animals are equal counterparts on this planet,” she says. “I get goosebumps every time I look into the elephant’s eyes and lay my hand on its trunk. These animals have a special place in my heart. I painted them straight out of my soul.”