Portrait, Art and Words by

Gene Kreyd

tile to me. I was not a “local”. Being persistent I learned to surf and became the first Russian surfer on the planet and the first Russian to surf many countries. I remember watching a movie called “Totally Committed” that showed surfing in Bali and right there and then decided to go. So in 1985 I came to surf Uluwatu, Padang Padang and Grajagan. Bali was not very well known then, surfing was not in vogue and many years would pass before Russians would hear of it.

That first trip was a journey of discovery that led to countless more adventures throughout Indonesia and the world. It completely changed the course of my life. Three days after arriving in Bali I went to Grajagan. I got fantastic waves and had many unforgettable experiences. The very first night a leopard came into my tree hut. That just does not happen living in Russia or the USA.

After returning to America I felt as if the carpet had been ripped out from under my feet.

So I continued traveling the world making Bali my home base. It’s a completely different world now since my first trip to Indonesia. Instagram influencers, insta surf instructors, selfies, surf schools, the list goes on.

Surfing became “cool” and now there are millions of wannabe surfers. But I still prefer traveling off the beaten path loving the spirit of adventure and discovery.

This is the essence of my art.

I get true satisfaction from finding my own way in life and art and sharing the stoke of that by bringing beauty to the world through my photos and paintings. To inspire and awaken people to their greatest potential is why I do art.

So if the wanderer’s journey is the destination, lets redefine the dictionary definition. I hope you are encouraged to be a wanderer wherever you go and in whatever you do and live the life you love.