18-Year-Old Crafts Boards for World's Top Surfers

The Artistic World of Ryder Biolos

Inside the shaping factory of Lost in San Clemente, a hidden gem awaits those curious about the artwork that adorns the boards of some of the world’s top surfers. Among these artists is Ryder Biolos, daughter of legendary shaper Matt Biolos. Her workspace, a vibrant and creative sanctuary, offers a glimpse into the mind of a young artist who has been painting surfboards since she was just 6 years old.

Ryder's room is a testament to her artistic journey. Paint splotches, free-form drawings, and graffiti-like neon-pink platters cover the walls, creating an environment that feels like a modern-day art studio. “When it was all black, it was kind of boring,” she says, “but now, when I’m wondering what I should paint, I’ll look over and see a star or something on the wall and be like, ‘okay, maybe let’s do stars.’”

Her work isn’t limited to just the boards of her father’s clients. From the colorful designs of Mason Ho to the bold patterns of Erin Brooks, Ryder’s artistry is unmistakable. She often finds inspiration from her surroundings, blending elements of punk and daydreams into her creations.

A Creative Start

Ryder’s journey into surfboard art began at a very young age. “My house is like 500 feet from our shaping rooms,” she recalls. “When my mom had to run errands, she’d drop me off with my dad while he was working at the factory.” It was during these visits that she first discovered her passion for painting. At just 6 years old, she was given a rack and some paint, allowing her to explore her creativity on surfboard blanks.

By the time she was 7, she was already painting boards for notable surfers like Coco and Mason Ho. “They’re like my dad’s fifth and sixth children,” she explains. “He loves them so much, and they were probably just like, ‘ohh this is so cute, a little girl painting boards, she should paint on ours.’” Her early work was guided by her uncle and a painter named Terry, who taught her the basics of color theory and mixing.

The Influence of Family

Working alongside her father has been both a privilege and a challenge. “Yes, all the time,” she says when asked if her dad still offers tips. “His office and his shaping room are in the other hallway, but he's always sneaking in and getting a look at what I'm doing.”

Her father’s guidance has shaped her style, especially when it comes to understanding the preferences of the surfers she works with. “With Griffin, for example, sometimes I used to get a little too girly with my designs, and he’d tell me it needs to be more sharp and manly, or I need to use more masculine colors like red and black.”

The Art of Surfboard Painting

Despite her talent, there have been moments of frustration. “There have been a couple of bad ones,” she admits. One particularly memorable mistake involved painting 10 boards for Carissa with Griffin’s paint job. “He didn’t re-make the boards, but he had someone else paint over them, but Griffin hated the paint job, so that was a problem.”

Ryder balances her artistic pursuits with her studies at Laguna College of Art and Design, where she majors in graphic design. “I'm doing computer work in Illustrator and Photoshop and then kind of utilizing it in my surfboard work too,” she explains. Her recent work on Cole Houshmand’s boards, featuring American traditional tattoo designs, showcases her versatility.

Beyond Surfboards

While her primary focus is on surfboard art, Ryder has also explored other forms of artwork. “I used to like fiddle around with watercolor and acrylics, but I realized that painting on canvases is so hard,” she says. To overcome this, her father provided her with longboard blanks for experimentation.

Inspiration and Future Goals

Ryder draws inspiration from surrealists like Salvador Dali and M.C. Escher, whose work combines realism with the fantastical. “I like the idea of painting a fish but with neon rainbows – something that looks real but isn't possible,” she explains.

Looking ahead, she hopes to expand her career beyond surfboard art. “I’m very grateful to work for him and it’s a super cool job, but I don’t want my end game to be painting boards. I'd like to be a graphic designer for a bigger company like Adidas and work with my dad on the side.”

The Future of Surfboard Art

As for the future of surfboard art, Ryder believes there is potential for a resurgence. “Every time I go to the beach, I don’t see much art,” she notes. “Most people have to pay for their surfboards, and when you add art on it adds so much more money, up to 200 bucks just for a regular paint job.” Despite these challenges, she remains hopeful that more people will embrace the artistry of surfboard design.