In 1997 I was a freelance photographer new to Southern California. I got a job at Kodak Professional and was tasked with covering professional photographers in the SoCal region. I investigated the various photography industries, things like fashion, celebrity portraiture, automotive, etc. At some point, someone mentioned to me that SoCal was the home of the professional surf industry and that most of the magazines were based there as well. I began calling around to find a friendly voice, someone who would be my entryway into the industry. Almost immediately, someone said, “You have to speak with Art Brewer.”

I called Art and asked if he would be willing to talk. Art being Art, he was game. The moment I walked into the studio I knew I had discovered a kindred spirit. A Peter Beard print hung above Art’s desk and was the perfect “break the ice” conversation. I had long been a Beard fan and it gave us immediate common ground. Kodak had developed a new film that was in great part a faster version of the beloved Fuji Velvia, the dominant film in surfing at that time. Velvia was so dominant, in fact, several of the magazines had a mandate that made Velvia the singular film they would accept. But Art was a different sort, and Art photographed a lot of subjects outside of surfing, so he knew the benefit of a film like this.

I gave Art a healthy stack of samples and went about my business. Now, this part of the story may or may not be entirely accurate but the bones are totally truthful. Several weeks later I began to receive emails and calls from other photographers asking about the “Brewer/Kodak” credit showing up in the magazines. I didn’t know what they were talking about. Upon investigation, I realized that Art, without my prompting, had begun to credit his images with “Brewer/Kodak. I purchased the latest issue of the magazine and there running full-doubletruck, was Johhny Boy Gomes at the Pipe Masters…..shot on Kodak E100VS. (Or maybe it was Sonny?)

Kodak is based in Rochester, New York, so calling my boss and explaining professional surfing was like calling my boss and asking about mining for gems on the surface of the moon. I had to translate. I tore out the spread and laminated it so that I could whip it out when skeptics showed up at my Kodak booth. Brewer came with credibility and his effort in turn made my life much easier. I’ve met thousands of photographers in my life, across all genres, but there are few I would want to be trapped in an elevator with. Art would be one of the few.

PS: I mentioned earlier my fascination with Peter Beard. Years later, Art found himself at Andy Warhol’s place on Montauk where Beard was assembling what would become the show in Los Angeles. Art made an image of Peter then went in the darkroom to make me a print. I was so stunned he would not only make this image with me in mind but take the time to make me a silver print. Upon receiving the print, I drove to Los Angeles where I gave the print to David Fahey, the gallerist in LA who represents Peter. Unbeknownst to me, David gave the print to Peter who then did what he does by painting over the top of it. A one-of-a-kind Peter Beard via Art Brewer. The print hangs above my desk as I write this email.

In summary, that’s Art Brewer

Daniel Milnor
Creative Evangelist

That’s Art Brewer

Harold Walker