In this episode 20 of the Vast Lives podcast. Steve and well respected artist OK Liao sat down to get deep about a few subjects close to OK's heart. OK's home is adorned with art and memorabilia that gives one the feeling of a warm welcoming Aloha spirit.
His home and studio are a testament to his love for Hawaii and the Ocean in general. A palette of minty greens and dusty pink's collide in harmony on the walls behind, any ocean lover would feel right at home.
The conversation was led by diving straight into his very first surfing experience which happened in 2006. Amix with emotion and a feeling of excitement OK goes on to describe that moment as both thrilling and somewhat daunting. Not long after that his perception of surfing shortly changed after his maiden voyage to Hawaii.
The attention then transitioned to his love for art and how his passion for Hawaii and the Aloha spirit motivated him to capture moments that mean so much more than just surfing. The mindset reshuffle and pivot took place during the pandemic where OK started channeling his inner creative self. Evident in his painting style, he delves ever deeper into the metaphoric reasoning behind surfers personas.
OK Liao opened up about his continued love for getting in the ocean on his bodyboard. His new venture called 'The Small Waves Club' which fosters a small community of those who might feel overwhelmed at the prospect of surfing bigger waves. Steve found the “Small Waves Club,” to be a fun quirky notion that even the tiniest of swells can bring surfers together.
The conversation draws to a conclusion by discussing OK Liao's connection to Vast and the importance of sustainability. He also let slip his deep fondness for dogs; he’s even dabbled in making treats for them commercially! These offhand details provide a picture of a man who mixes his art and good vibes with equal passion.
The conversation was as energetic as it was creatively insightful. OK's journey is a stark reminder that Art can serve as a bridge, connecting us all together by being transparent about our inhernt human imperfections. A warm embrace from a friend or the ocean - exposing all of our vulnerabilities & so beautifully depicted in OK Liao's art and his general ethos.