Micah Wood

Most people know Micah Wood for his great surfing and the beautiful boards he crafts for Wood Custom Surfboards, the company he started in 2007. But what many don’t know is that underneath that thick beard, lies one very talented artist. Never one to follow trends, Micah’s art mirrors the passion and creativity he brings to surfing and shaping, and it’s no surprise that his fine art blends his love for the ocean with the high standards of quality and aesthetics for which he’s known.

Born in San Diego, CA in 1982, Micah started surfing at age 8. At 12, he started taking art classes. Immersing himself in San Diego’s vibrant surf culture, Micah’s two passions grew, and by the time he turned 13, he was winning both art exhibitions and surf contests all along Southern California’s coast.

At 16, Micah started working and riding for Gordon & Smith Surfboards. It was there that he learned the art of traditionally handcrafting quality surfboards from start to finish. From his humble beginnings packaging surfboards and assembling skateboards, it wasn’t long before Micah’s talents were put to use in the shaping room, and he became a G&S Custom Surfboard shaper.

After high school, Micah's art instructor Rick Faust became his art mentor for another 5 years. Together they traveled around California, putting on successful art shows full of ocean and wave-themed oil paintings and watercolors.

Since branching out with Wood Custom Surfboards, Micah stays busy honing his skills as one of the area’s few true craftsmen. When he’s not shaping or painting, Micah can usually be found trying out new board designs at Pipes, in North County, San Diego. His beard and smile make him easy to spot – so come say hi! He might let you try out one of the several boards he always has with him. While on land, Micah continues to portray his love of the sea, and the beauty of the world around him in his artwork.

“I enjoy painting seascapes, waves, surfers, beaches...sometimes I will throw in a few birds or boats. It mainly depends on what my mood is, or what I am trying to portray. I love to paint the uniqueness in Creation. My style of painting is to make my subject matter look life-like, some might classify it as traditional realism. Some paintings look alive even though they're just a painting. I try to capture the emotion, energy, or feeling and transfer it into my paintings for others to enjoy.”