Juan Díaz Faes Q&As

Born in Oviedo (Spain) Juan Díaz-Faes grew up drawing before studying Fine Arts at the University of Salamanca and, later, developing his career in graphic design, illustration, and muralism. Since 2017, cities such as Paris, Miami, Austin, Guangzhou (China), Punta del Este, Hamburg, Seoul, Madrid and Santander have had large-scale murals signed by this artist.

Juan Díaz-Faes has exhibited solo at the Point Éphémére center in Paris and at the Conde Duque Cultural Center in Madrid. His last group exhibition was at the Hyundai Museum (Seoul) and previously he has visited cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and Taipei.

The stories contained in Díaz-Faes’ bustling patterns are born in Le Cluf, the artist’s studio and creation space located in Castanedo, a small town in the province of Cantabria (Spain)

Follow Juan Díaz-Faes on Instagram

  • Hello Juan! First of all, how are you doing? We are so excited to finally launch the collab together!

I am also very happy that the collaboration is coming out. I already have the fin in my possession and it looks beautiful.

  • Could you explain us a bit more where you come from and which has being your path?

I am from Asturias (northern Spain) since I was little I always liked surfing and art. Although I was better at drawing than surfing haha. I studied Fine Arts in Salamanca, and since 2005 I have dedicated myself to drawing. I can’t even believe it. A few years ago, I moved away from the world of illustration a bit to focus more on personal projects and do more artistic work. Since 2017 or so, I have only done personal projects and I hardly take orders anymore.

  • Could you explain us your art style?

My artistic style comes from the world of comics, illustration, and advertising. I work with flat, not very pictorial colors. I am figurative by default, I always like to make characters. I am very interested in chromatic contrast, light/dark, and I always try to work with a single ink (not more).

  • How did you came up with the : | ?

For the fin, I used a fish pattern. Based on the mathematical patterns of M.C. Escher, I made my own one of white fish, which transform into black fish without the viewer realising it. In this case, since the pattern is marine, I thought it suited the fin very well.

  • How does surfing help you on your artistic process?

Surfing greatly influences my work; If there are waves, I don’t work haha. But regardless of what conditions my schedule (which luckily I don’t have) it also affects being patient, waiting for the good idea (wave), daring little by little to do something you haven’t done (surfing other places or bigger waves)… adding to the fact that surfing, as a general rule, has a young and risky tone that I think art also has to have, regardless of your actual age.

  • Taipei, Seoul, Paris,… how did you ended up showing your work in so many places?

YLuckily my work was liked a lot, and little by little people got to know it. Among them is the SOLO Collection, which has supported my work for years and helped me in many of the international projects that arise. Thanks to them, without a doubt, I reached all those crazy destinations. It’s incredible to see Spanish talent in some of the most iconic cities in the world. Could you tell us the next place you are going to be featured? Well, I’ve been exhibiting in Japan for a couple of months, I just landed (2 days ago) from Mexico, this week I open another Expo in Tokyo… the truth is that the pace is going crazy. Actually, couple of the fins from our collab will be present in Tokyo. If you are around Shibuya, you need to pass by 🙂.

  • Thank you so much for your time Juan! Looking forward to see you soon and make a small expo with our collab somewhere in the world. I’m sure we’ll see you soon. At the moment, the fin is already in Japan hehe !

Díaz Faes x Deflow // Cream 9,75

The collaboration between Juan Diaz Faes and Deflow brings you a unique design on one of our best longboard fins, the Cream 9,75.

Flex: Little

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C’est la vie with Eurico Romaguera

We couldn’t stop repeating this french phrase. We had a call from Eurico, he was in France for few days and he was down to film with our friend Oscar Valencia. But hey, it’s summer, it’s packed everywhere and this is as much as we could get. Endless crowds everywhere we went. Unwelcoming leashless surfing spots. Traffic jams every morning and afternoon. “C’est la vie”, let’s take it easy.

Starring Eurico Romaguera // Filmed and edited by Oscar Valencia

YouTube video

EURICO’S FAVORITES

EURICO ROMAGUERA // Signature Fin

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FERNAND // Twin Fin Collab

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TOWEL // Essenitial

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MARGAUX 7’5″ // Signature Fin

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The Portugal Fin Tour 2023

Hell yeah! We can finally announce the Fin Tour in Portugal. Come to the shop, test each fin and find yours!

Save the date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW ARRIVALS

SELF COLLAB // Single Fins

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TOWEL // Essential

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5 PIECE // Traction Pad

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V.2 M // Thruster fins

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SUPRA M  // Thruster Fins

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6″6 MM // Pro Tech Leash

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Christmas... What an endearing time!

Christmas tergiversation with Erwin Bliss

 

Christmas… What an endearing time! Well, at least it usually is when you are a child and you stay on vacation, waiting to be buried under a mountain of gifts while you stuff yourself with nougat and sugared almonds. Then, suddenly, you get older and realize that these holidays have become for you synonymous with overspending, heavy digestions, crowds and gatherings even heavier than your digestions.

 

At Deflow, as we love that you keep the childish spirit, but we are also amused by those who are more cantankerous than the Grinch, we wanted to put on trial two of our riders with the worst karma and who will probably end up splitting their chewing so much coal.

 

Would you be able to define Christmas briefly?

Well Christmas is a beautiful fairy tale about a old man we call Santa,  living in Laponie, that brings you present once a year to celebrate Jesus’ birth.  Is it ? And also he is flying on a sled dragged by flying deers. 

 

What is the best/worst thing about Christmas for you?

Best thing about Christmas is that it’s a wonderful moment to share with family.

In the contrary the worst would be not having the family to share this moment with.

 

Tell us something you always do around Christmas time. Tradition or custom, you know?

 We always drink in Christmas.

 

Any movie – song that you are particularly fond of?

Mickey’s Christmas!

 

Do you buy lottery tickets? What would you do if you hit the jackpot?

I do not buy lottery tickets. I believe there is no winning tickets.

 

Do you decorate your house, wear reindeer headbands and shit? Send us a selfie!

 

What did you ask for this year from the Three Wise Men / Santa Claus?

This year l asked for resin so l can make me a surfboard.

 

As we know we are here to sell products (hehe), which 5 Deflow products you recommend to your friends?

I would recommend a pair of Arcco fins, a set of front and tail grips (you can see my collab here), a leash and a surfboard sock ! ❤️‍🔥

Arcco Large

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6"6 mm Pro Tech Leash

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Erwin Front Pad

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Erwin Tail Pad

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Boardcover Perf 

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Waterproof Bag

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Carbón para todos!

Christmas tergiversation with Legi Alonso

 

Christmas… What an endearing time! Well, at least it usually is when you are a child and you stay on vacation, waiting to be buried under a mountain of gifts while you stuff yourself with nougat and sugared almonds. Then, suddenly, you get older and realize that these holidays have become for you synonymous with overspending, heavy digestions, crowds and gatherings even heavier than your digestions.

 

At Deflow, as we love that you keep the childish spirit, but we are also amused by those who are more cantankerous than the Grinch, we wanted to put on trial two of our riders with the worst karma and who will probably end up splitting their chewing so much coal (carbón para todos!).

 

Would you be able to define Christmas briefly?

A brief period in which to economically compensate for a whole year of indifference towards those closest to us; in which the sons of bitches become endearing and social coherence is questioned by continuing to bombard you with the idea of being sustainable and ‘ecofriendly’ in the middle of a city whose lighting could be seen from Mars. Meanwhile, TV oozes ‘tear-jerking’ commercials and zapping programs where showmen who have been out of work for decades have their moment of glory again.

…Stupidity strain with a high rate of contagion.

 

What is the best/worst thing about Christmas for you?

The only good thing is the nativity set up by my grandmother. 

Last year’s had two ‘jesus’ children of different scales holding a postcard of the ‘birth’, which means that at the very moment of your birth there are already photos of you printed in large format, highway billboard style.

 

Admit that you’ve ever surfed with a Santa hat on Christmas Eve!

If I could, I’d shoot them all a tranquilizer dart in the temple. 

 

Tell us something you always do around Christmas time. Tradition or custom, you know?

Lately I’ve been organizing a ‘Street Fighter’ world championship at home.

Although I only invite the most clumsy colleagues and try to cheat as much as possible, I am unable to win, so the thing usually ends in a fight and kicking them out of the house.

 

 

Any movie – song that you are particularly fond of?

The Exorcist.

 

Do you buy lottery tickets? What would you do if you hit the jackpot?

I would install a wave like WACO’s in the garden of my house. …But for that, I would first have to have a house with a garden.

I would need at least a couple of jackpots. That’s why I never play the lottery.

 

Do you decorate your house, wear reindeer headbands and shit? Send us a selfie!

I don’t decorate the house and I don’t wear festive crap. The only thing I do to bring joy to those who spend Christmas with me is to go to bed early.

*It’s not a selfie, but I hope the doggy decorations make up for it.

What did you ask for this year from the Three Wise Men / Santa Claus?

*It was clear that this was all a damn Deflow promo. unscrupulous motherf***s!

 

5. DUETTE

This year I’ve ridden a lot with twin and these have been, by far, the keels that have been the coolest. Very agile, they allow you to close the turns and maintain speed. Cool.

 

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4. PRO TECH LEASH

No tangles. It doesn’t weigh anything. The feel of the anklet is brutal, and I think it’s really cute!

 

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3. COFFEE COLLECTION

The coffee is amazing and that of establishing a capsule with its specific range of colors for different objects of hard material… Love it!

 

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2. LEGI ALONSO FIN

Even if you didn’t like him because of this shitty interview, you should know that these keels are made with a lot of love and go great on beach waves. People are very happy with them…And I’m glad they are ☺.

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1. TURRÓN DE CHOCOLATE SUCHARD

The other good thing (along with my grandmother’s birth). Besides, you’ll have to dip something in the COFFEE COLLECTION, I say… 😉

 


What does Laura Coviella ride?

YouTube video

We are so stocked to have Laura Coviella part of the Deflow family.

 

Laura is constantly proving us how performant she is in both small and big waves. Engaging and technical surfing means taking the right decision with surf gear.

 

That’s why we are really proud to provide Laura the best surf fins and accessories that respond perfectly to the way she surfs and adapted to wave conditions at home in the Canary Islands or when she travels around the world.

 

See below her own selection of Deflow finest surf gear and get inspired for your coming fall sessions.

Supra Medium Thruster Fins

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Accro Medium Thruster Fins

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2 Piece Burgundy

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3 Piece Black

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6"7 Cream Leash

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6"6 mm Pro Tech Leash

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What does Manuel Lezcano ride?

YouTube video

Unless you live on Mars, you did probably watch the last surf video featuring Manuel Lezcano riding some of the best and heaviest barrels at El Quemao. If not, you should really click the play button above.

 

Manuel always gets perfect lines combining deep barrels with power surfing. And this is an honor for us that he has chosen Deflow for his surf fins and accessories.

 

Get a sneak peak at Manuel’s favorites below and make sure you are also equipped with the best surf gear for you next surf trip or for the coming winter season.

A.Toyon Thruster Fins

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Supra Quattro Quad Fins

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Accro Large Thruster Fins

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6"7 Pro Tech Leash

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3 Piece Burgundy Pad

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Sea Green Pad

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7"7mm Burgundy Leash

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Iñigo Agote Twin Fins

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Printemps avec Margaux

The beginning of spring is not always determined by fixed calendar dates. The phenological definition of spring relates to biological indicators, such as the blossoming of a range of plant species and the special smell of soil that has reached the temperature for micro flora to flourish.

For us, surfers and ocean lovers, spring starts when days get longer, winter storms stop and classic longboard sessions come back.

This time, spring began a couple of weeks ago, when we met Margaux for a classic surf in Biarritz.

 


Interview / Salt Water

Aloha!

During this dark and cloudy weekend, we shared a coffee and had a little talk with Benjamin Fabre about one of his projects, Salt Water. 

He is running a Kickstarter Campaign to launch the first Salt Water Magazine which (we hope) it will be available on the your nearest surf shop very very soon. But, what is Salt Water?

 

DEFLOW: First of all, explains us who is behind salt water and which is the concept.
BENJAMIN: I created Salt Water in 2016. At the time, my idea was to offer to photographers, writers, travellers, shapers, filmakers... a playground to express their art. Today the community has grown and counts more than 150 contributors from everywhere. So Salt Water is the fruit of many talented persons who trusted the project. Today, after 3 years of digital life, Salt Water will also become a print magazine, in which our contributors will be able to share their work. For this new challenge I was lucky enough to find on my path 2 persons who accepted to join the adventure: Thibaut Spoe Paruite who design all the magazine and Joseba who is in charge of communications and marketing.

 

D: How did you came with the idea of Salt Water? and why “Salt Water”?
B: The idea came discussing with my girlfriend late at night in a pub we loved after too many beers. But more seriously, I really think that there are many talented creators who don't have enough visibility. Surfing industry is tough and it's hard for small photographers to build a name.  Recently some brands have contacted us to collaborate with some of our contributors because they saw their pictures on our website. If Salt Water can help content creators and brands to connect, everyone would be happy.

 

D: Ohh that would be great, reciprocity. Also, there is something you say on your web that seems very interesting for us: “We believe that surfing has a lot more to offer than performance shortboards and wave pools.” Explain us more.
B: Surfing is evolving so quickly. Surfing contests are organised in the middle of the desert in pools. Crowds are gathering on the beach at every WSL events to see their idols. In one sense it's good. Surfing is becoming a mass activity. It will be at the Olympics in 2020. But I feel we are loosing the real essence of the sport. Experience a close connexion with nature, discover remote places to ride empty waves, enjoy seshs at home with friends or just try any crazy trick in shitty waves for the fun of surf. More and more riders are riding different shapes, asymetrical, longboards, twin fins, single... That's for this part of the surfing community that Salt Water was made.

D: Then, thanks Salt Water for being here! hahaha...Tell us about the evolution of Salt Water. Until now it was a community of content creators. Now it has become a magazine. Which are your thoughts for the future?
B: Salt Water started as a blog, animated by our contributors who hared some articles. In few weeks Salt Water will also be a print magazine that will be published 2 times a year. Our goal is also to develop our agency activity to create content for brands using our network of creative minds. Brands have understood the power of surfing and are using its image and values. That's where we position our agency: from strategy to content creation and amplification, our goal is to inspire consumers to live outside and enjoy the fabulous playground nature is offering us.

D: About the magazine. On your Kickstarter campaign you say you will launch 2 magazines every year. Which is this first issue about?
B: Our first issue called "Somewhere Else" is a 200 pages magazine featuring 14 contributors. Their articles focus on the theme "places". Because location is the most important ingredient in the surfing experience. Each article will describe a moment, an adventure, a simple routine that makes our living so exciting. Whether it's searching for empty waves on the other side of the world or enjoying the simple pleasure of surfing your home break with your friends, we all have a place in our mind that motivates our future.

Want to support the Salt Water KickStarter Campaign? Click here.

The pictures we've been sharing on this blog posts will be featured on the Salt Water magazine, and are taken by: Simon Fitz, Xue Gil Guidonet, Ben Thouard, Fabien Voileau and Adrien Belagner


Hate Summer

The plan was to get the most out of the only free week I had all summer. That's why we took a handful of boards for small waves and set off for Euskadi, where a few colleagues were waiting for us to surf for a while, shoot some pictures and take a few beers.

The fact is that we went without too many expectations since we had not even looked the forecast, but it ended up getting some cool pictures. And as we always end up talking about movies, books and music ... Well, we took the opportunity to create some content for WWW.ROAD666.COM with the photos and recommendations of the entire club that we met.

 

 

It's cool for me to do this kind of stories because, after a while, you look back and, thanks to them, you notice things that maybe you do not appreciate at the moment.

After all, it is the testimony of how (and with whom) we live in a specific moment of our life.

 

 

Oh! And about the name 'Hate Summer' ... We went to really crowded places, with terrible heats, coca cola at the price of Rioja Crianza, problems to find a place to park, Sundays lovers, and kooks everywhere.

It’s clear, right? ;)

 

 

If you want to see the full magazine, link is: bit.ly/2CwIUEV

Pictures via:
Cecilia Alvarez, Sergio Riaño, Jose Prieto, Legi Alonso.