Surfshine Art
Joy. Art. Inspiration.
Surfshine Art started long before markets, stickers, and local shop shelves.
Back in 2014, I ended up in Playa Maderas, Nicaragua, living in the jungle by a surf break. What started as drawings, watercolour sets, lil' creatures, and surf town living slowly turned into murals, postcard series, art show fundraisers, painted surfboards, and the beginning of Surfshine Art.
Then I moved back to Vancouver Island and painted the Surfshine van. The next few years were full of learning, experimenting, saying yes to opportunities, and figuring out what worked and what didn't. Step by step, the business grew until it became my full-time life.
Over the last 10 years, Surfshine Art has kept evolving. At its heart, it's still where nature and imagination meet. Inspired by surfing, adventure, playfulness, and community, it's about bringing joy through art while caring for the places that inspire it.
Looking back, I'm grateful for all the people, places, weird ideas, and synchronicities that helped shape Surfshine Art along the way. From hostel owners, and travellers to surfers, other artists, local businesses, friends and family, their support and encouragment inspired me to keep creating.
The Artist
Hi! My name is Karine Gordon-Beaumier (aka KG).
I am an artist, surfer, traveler, and the owner of Surfshine Art.
Growing up on the South Shore of Montreal, I was always drawing. This led me to study 2D animation. Then I realized illustration was my true passion.
Through travelling, I discovered surfing, and a whole new world of inspiration opened up to me.
Today, my artwork is inspired by the waves, the coast, travel, nature, and all its inhabitants. I love exploring the space where nature and imagination meet.
From ink illustrations and watercolour paintings to digital art, murals, and painted surfboards, I've enjoyed working with different mediums, surfaces, and sizes. My work can be found in galleries, gift shops, and homes around the world.
Based in Ucluelet on Vancouver Island, BC, I'm also a member of the Pacific Rim Arts Society.
My philosophy is simple.
Do what you love. Be kind while doing it.
I hope the beachy quirkiness of Surfshine Art makes you smile, laugh, frown, think, dream, and maybe even inspires you to create whatever makes you happy.
The Adventures
Ireland. England. Spain. Paris. Hong Kong. Bali. Australia. New-Zealand. Thailand. Nepal.
Sri Lanka. Canada. Cali. Hawaii. Mexico. Nicaragua. Costa Rica. Ecuador. Colombia. Panama. Sri Lanka...
One of my biggest dreams was always to travel the world. After a road trip across Canada at the age of 19, I decided to save up for one-way ticket to Ireland with my best friend. By my early 20s, I had completed my first round-the-world trip, living and working in a few different places and surf destinations.
After a stop in Quebec, I left for another two years of international adventures... Woofing, working in restaurants, marketing, farm work, volunteering and other seasonal jobs would sustain my lifestyle.
As a backpacker, I learned to surf in Bali, earned my Open Water diving certification in Australia, skydived in New-Zealand, trekked the Himalayas and ate pad thai in Bangkok. I met really kind people and made amazing friendships along the way.
During my travels, people were asking me to draw, paint and design things for them that make them happy.
Seeing their joy encouraged me to start Surfshine Art later.
Whatever your passions are, I hope my story reminds you that you don't need to have it all figured out. Meaningful adventures often begin with a decision, a bit of courage, resourcefulness, optimism and trust.
Thanks for being here. Keep shining. Keep doing what you love. xo
Conscious Creation
Creating with eco-friendly materials and intentional practices whenever possible.
Local
Impact
1% of every sale supports ocean and community initiatives. See below.
West Coast Based
Based on Vancouver island, where many of my ideas begin.
Organizations
We've Supported
- Surfrider Pacific Rim
- Surfrider Canada
- Food Bank of the Edge
- Georgia Straight Alliance
- Marine Education & Research Society
- Thornton Creek Enhancement Society
- Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
- IRSS Society
Thank you for your suppport
and making this possible
Supporting the Coast. In 2015, a remote beach cleanup on Vargas Island brought together Surfrider Pacific Rim and local partners. As part of the organization team, we helped remove marine debris to keep our coast a bit cleaner.