PEEPS | those who
Create
This season, LAKElife Magazine is celebrating area ARTISTS— those who share their creative gifts to help celebrate the beauty that is lake life.
Nominated by our readership,
Meet: M att
Brubaker
by Ray Balogh | photos provided
Some talents were just meant to shape into fruition. So it is with Matt Brubaker—who has made good use of water skis that “were just lying around.” Brubaker used the old skis, plying his creativity to render them into masterful pieces of art—art that is, in fact, increasing in demand.
What’s unique about your artwork? My artwork is using vintage wooden water skis, taking off the bindings and fins, sanding them down, staining and applying several coats of polyurethane for a glossy finish. Lori (Matt’s wife of nearly 27 years) applies resin that looks like water on some of them. On other skis I mount coat hooks and apply different graphics, usually with a nautical theme. I have made several custom shot skis for different customers and family members. I've made a custom sofa-type table out of a pair of skis for a couple. And, this past year we made a “Tropical” signpost for a customer.
What is your favorite medium for your artwork? I prefer working with vintage wooden skis, in particular the old Cypress Gardens skis. They are made of quality wood and the woodgrain really pops when stained.
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LAKElife Magazine May 2022
