– Water, Fish & Tentacles from a Keyhole
Artwork by Janelle Hickson
Surrealism and Skateboard Art
The definition of Surrealism is – having the disorienting, hallucinatory quality of a dream; unreal; fantastic: Thats my wheelhouse – I breathe fantastic and unreal…
This surrealist skateboard artwork explores the idea of hidden worlds bursting into reality. Flowing from the center of the deck, a keyhole becomes a portal, unleashing a swirling cascade of water, fish, and twisting tentacles that rise upward in defiance of gravity.
Designed as a wall-mounted skateboard art piece, the composition blends oceanic fantasy with dreamlike symbolism, suggesting that unlocking the unknown can release both wonder and chaos.
Using derwent pencils and traditional shading techniques, I layered colours,and reflective highlights, upon organic marine forms to create a visual current that pulls the eye upwards. The result is part seascape, part doorway into the subconscious — perfect for lovers of surrealism, mythology, and unconventional decor.
…. a key hole, with an impossible mass of tentacles, water and a giant fish pouring upwards from the tiny golden mouth, it hovers just above the ground, displaced, not connected yet a portal none the less.
A labour of love, getting back to basics roots, putting pencil to paper once more in what seemed like an eternity… The water detail and colour variation was trying at times, but as always, the final product is worth it.
