MICA QUILES-KRAMER
We recently caught up with Ocean Beach surfer, Sharp Eye Surfboards machinist and resin artist Mica Quiles-Kramer to learn more about her craft and creative process. Photos Taylor Dunfee.
Where did you grow up and how did you find surfing?
I grew up in south NJ in a little town called Millville. Not necessarily the best place to ever learn about surfing. One day Point Break came on and I just wanted to be Keanu Reeves so bad. Lol! I had a boyfriend at the time who surfed and he started to teach me. From there it was just all I wanted to do. Get better. My first board was a dumpster twin fin my dad found while trash picking. We couldn’t afford a board so that’s what I ride for years. I still have it.
How did you get into surfboard art?
I was lucky enough to start working at Kane Garden as a receptionist. Just became obsessed with the idea of making boards. And the more they told me girls didn’t make surfboards, the more I wanted to. Surfboard shaper Larry Mabile of Third World Exotic Surfboards took me under his wing and taught me a lot. I feel very lucky to have learned so much from him.
What is your approach to the creative process?
I obsess over it for about a day before. Dreaming of colors and combos and where to put them. The shades. The vibrancy. Just imagining colors in my head.
Who has inspired you and your work?
Everyone. Surfboard glasser Alex Villalobos is one for sure. He’s always been so kind to me explaining things and letting me watch. Stu Kensen, Hank Warner and Larry Mabile. They’ve all always been so kind to me, answering questions. Letting Me watch them.
What inspires you?
Life inspires me. I’ve always been kind of shy so I spend a lot of time just observing the world. The people. Nature. Life inspires me. Living inspires me.
What are you listening to right now?
A lot of Jesse Jo Stark, Stolen Nova, Tame Impala and Bowie. I get into moods where I just want to dance and cook to trap house. Drive around to Nine Inch Nails. Space out to Tame Impala. George Michael makes me feel like a 90’s super model. And I love new wave 80’s. Lol!
Any favorite surf spots?
I kind of hop around but my home break is OB Jetty. Don’t go there. I won’t give you waves. Hahahaha. I love Terra Mar Point. And forever running away to surf in Mexico. Every other week I try escape down there for at least a day to surf the point.
Any favorite quotes?
I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring. –David Bowie.
Lastly, what is your favorite Seaborn flavor?
I absolutely love Strawberry Hibiscus. Maybe I’m biased. But for me it’s strawberry everything forever. Second is Coconut Lime. Same. Coconut forever. I should probably mix them both. That could be trouble.
Follow Mica on instagram: @micaelaqk