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Swell Season Surf RadioAuthor: Swell Season Surf Radio Language: en Genres: Documentary, Places & Travel, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Repeater with Jon Bocksel
Episode 272
Thursday, 14 August, 2025
On this episode of the Swell Season Surf Podcast, we talk with Brooklyn-based artist and sign painter Jon Bocksel. With nearly two decades of experience, Jon's work artfully combines history, typography, and his love for hand-lettered signs. We discuss Jon's meticulous creative process, the timeless craft of hand-painted signage, the evolution of written language, and how these elements intersect with surf culture and everyday spaces. Jon shares insights into his artistic journey, his background in printmaking, and the influence of surfing and skating on his work. It’s a fascinating conversation on creativity, craft, and culture. We hope you enjoy… You can follow Jon Bocksel on Instagram @jonbockselOr check out his work at https://jonbocksel.info/ The Swell Season Surf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network.For more information, you can follow @swellseasonsurfradio on Instagram or go to our website: www.swellseasonsurf.com Music: Artist: Television PersonalitiesSong: Diary of a Young ManAlbum: And Don’t the Kids Just Love it00:00 Introduction to the Swell Season Surf Podcast01:10 Meet John Boxell: The Artist Behind the Signs01:59 John's Creative Process and Inspirations02:31 The Intersection of Surfing and Art03:24 John's Artistic Journey and Influences04:49 The Challenges and Rewards of Hand Lettering09:19 From Skating to Surfing: John's Evolution12:56 The Path to Becoming a Professional Artist27:24 The Art of Sign Making32:59 Balancing Art and Life40:13 The Unpredictable Nature of Wave Pools40:58 The Art of Sign Making42:40 Glass Gilding Explained44:10 The Challenges of Gold Leaf Work45:10 Maintaining Focus in a Distracted World45:40 From Skating to Surfing46:15 The Evolution of Surfing and Sailing47:19 Creating Films and the Influence of Limitations51:53 The Philosophy of Limitations in Art and Surfing53:32 Competitive Surfing and Personal Preferences56:16 The Craft of Hand-Painted Signs57:23 The Intersection of Art and Performance01:04:06 The Future of Handcrafted Work in a Digital Age01:05:26 Shaping Surfboards and the Value of Flex01:09:24 The Joy of Riding Different Surfboards01:12:28 Exciting Residency at the Albers Foundation01:14:37 Conclusion and Contact InformationBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/swell-season-surf-radio--3483504/support.