Renowned surf-inspired artist Reif Myers is Shelter Brewing Co’s artist-in-residence for the 10th annual Margaret River Region Open Studios (MRROS) event held from 9 to 24 September.
The Dunsborough-based artist has garnered a large and loyal following over the past 12 years, amassing over 80,000 followers on Instagram.
For MRROS, Myers has painted a fun south-west inspired scene for Shelter on a huge 3.7-metre by 1.8-metre canvas, his largest work to date.
“It’s by far the biggest painting I’ve ever done, and it was a challenge to get the perspective right on such a big canvas. I was clocking up over 3000 steps walking up and down painting each side of the canvas!” the 31-year-old said.
“I jumped at the chance to collab with Shelter – I love beer and I’m artist, it just makes perfect sense.
“I’m known for my icons – Batman, boats, saxa pepper, tabasco sauce, sharks, beach umbrellas, thongs – and I’ve added a new one to my new work, which might have something to do with the venue that’s hosting me,” Myers said.
Myers has held exhibitions in Fremantle, Bali, London and Dubai.
His art is inspired by MAMBO, Peter Webb and his mother Jos Myers who would pass him canvas, brush and some paint each day after school and give him free reign to create.
“Over the past 15 years, I’ve developed my own style and my art is designed to be fun and enjoyed rather than analysed.”
The busyness in his work entices the viewer to spend more time engaging with the painting, pointing out new stories whilst hopefully having a laugh.
“It’s a great ice breaker. If you’re at a dinner and with people you don’t know, you can easily spend ten minutes talking about all the different, colourful, weird things you’re seeing in my painting – it’s an easy conversation starter.”
Myers explained that when he paints, time stands still, like he’s in a trance.
“I love being in the flow, and I let my go of all my thoughts when I paint.”
Myers said that he starts each piece by painting random shapes all over the canvas to fill it, then he’ll stand back and look at those shapes and decide which icons they look like.
“It’s like looking at the shapes of clouds and deciding one looks like a dog or a dinosaur, and then I add the detail and the colours, there’s so many layers of paint on each piece,” he said.
“I’m a pretty quiet guy in real life, and my art is my way of getting my humour out – it’s random, fun, wild, and colourful.
“Fun fact, in every one of my paintings is a nod to a pink ceramic cactus sculpture we had on our dining table that my friends and I thought looked more like an adult toy – it’s hidden among all the other icons, see if you can find it!” mused Myers.
There are over 50 icons that Myers is known for, and his favourite is the seagull.
“Seagulls are annoying and funny and never keep to themselves, and I know Busselton locals can relate to that!” he said.
“Margaret River Region Open Studios is a great opportunity for like-minded people to come together and also for artists to connect with other artists and get inspired.”
During Margaret River Region Open Studios, Myers will be at Shelter each day painting new works. He’ll run two Paint and Pale events on 10 and 17 September teaching painting techniques as guests create their own small canvas while sipping on a Shelter Pale Ale. Tickets are $30 and available from shelterbrewing.com.
It all kicks off with an Opening Party on Friday 8 September at 6pm for a first look at Reif Myers’ exhibition with paintings and prints available for purchase and DJ L Van Groove spinning the vinyls. Entry is free with registration.
For the little people, there will be colouring in stations on the weekends from 11am to 2pm.
On Monday 11 September, Shelter will host a special MRROS Masterclass with visiting Brisbane artist Michael Zavros, MRROS’ art ambassador. Limited to 50 people, it’s a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to hear directly from Zavros about his art practice in detail as he demonstrates his techniques, discusses his tools and materials, and shares tips to create outstanding work.
Shelter is a proud sponsor of Margaret River Region Open Studios, the largest event of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
It’s completely free and enables everyone to access art as artists open their usually-private studios, welcoming in art lovers to chat about art, see their work, and see them at work.
Shelter Brewing Co has produced 20,000 special edition MRROS cans of Pale Ale.
Shelter is open seven days from 7am for Margaret River Roasting barista made coffee, house-baked cinnamon scrolls and bagels, and from 10am in the brewery and restaurant.
Shelter brews six beers: Summer Sour, India Pale Ale, Pale Ale, Extra Pale Ale, Lager, Red Ale and a cider, along with seasonal brews (current season beer is the Left Coast IPA).
For more information and bookings, visit www.shelterbrewing.com.
