I hesitated sharing this, but sometimes you have to shed some light upon darkness. I doodled this while talking to my dad on the phone the other day. He was telling me about how my mom is back in the hospital again. Mental illness took its grip on her yet again. I’ve seen this cycle…
My First Piece of Jiu Jitsu Art & How It Came About I’ll start at the beginning. Way, way back, when my little brother Eric and I were kids, we really wanted to be ninjas. We made Chinese stars and swords and bow and arrows and really wanted those claws that attach to your hands and…
I hosted my first live painting and Q&A on my Facebook Fan Page last week and I had a couple thousand people from around the world join me. It was a lot of fun and I will plan another one soon. I painted a new piece from a blank canvas and improvised as I went. My…
My friends from the band Slightly Stoopid are on their Sounds of Summer Tour and they did a show at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park this past Friday, June 1, 2017. The front men of the band are Miles and Kyle and we all got to chill on the tour bus before the show. I busted out my…
The new Surf Taco at Rutgers opened this past week and my wife and I rolled deep with all 3 kids to congratulate our dear friends on their new spot! This pic above is me and my little baby girl Summer next to Rob Nagel, the founder and Co-Owner along with the Cosmic Minister himself Michael Courtney…
This past weekend we brought the kids over to my local climbing gym, Gravity Vault to celebrate my nieces Mya and Jenna’s 10th Birthday. It also marked my identical son’s turning 17 months old and their first time to the climbing gym and my daughter’s first time in a climbing harness. Seeing my kids and my…
I had the honor and pleasure today of public speaking to the art and music departments of Old Bridge High School close to where I grew up in New Jersey. We discussed some of the common struggles of creative people and how to create a mindset to achieve success. I shared my story from childhood through today…
It’s always a little bit of a mystery when planning a drive to New York from my Jersey shore home town. It’s a short trip being only 50-60 miles away, but with traffic, that normally one hour trip can easily morph into two or three. As a line of fire engines and emergency vehicles pushed their…
A couple weeks ago the internationally famous rockers, SLIGHTLY STOOPID rolled into town and I finally got to meet and hang out with the talented musicians that I’ve been doing a lot of commissioned art for this year. Truly awesome guys, really down to Earth and so good to place a face to the names. I did five projects…
I had the pleasure last month to meet and have a great conversation with Franke Previte. Franke is an Academy Award winner and Grammy & Golden Globe nominated composer who wrote “Time of Your Life“, the mega famous song from the “Dirty Dancing” soundtrack. He also had several top 40 songs in the 80’s. Franke bought five…
June 8-12, 2016 Jay Alders is will be a featured guest Surf Artist in Bordeaux, France for the Festival Vagabonde. Alders will be exhibiting a collection of contemporary surf art limited edition signed prints as well as original paintings. Jay Alders will also be doing a live art painting demonstration for the international crowd. Tickets and…
I must admit, it’s tough to see this one go. I painted “Pot of Gold” in 2009 and it’s definitely one of of favorites. It’s been tattooed on people’s bodies around the world more than any of my paintings so far and it certainly shows an evolvement from my previous painting styles. But it feels…
To celebrate the holiday weekend, Chelsea and I used some of our babysitter’s time to enjoy the beautiful weather and go for a quick stand up paddle together. It sure is good to feel some sunshine and be on the water. I got to take my new SUP out for a maiden voyage and I love…
They are my mirror reflecting back my purpose that I honorably and lovingly serve with a selfless heart. I give to them every bit of my potential. I hope that it’s enough. We exchange breaths with the sea, this place that brings so much joy to me. I sense the wonder and comfort in them…
I got to catch up with my friend Stefan Lessard, bassist of the Dave Matthews Band on June 27, 2015 in Camden, New Jersey before their show. Always good to see this bright shining soul and exchange stories and good vibes. I did some sketching from my seat at the show afterwards. Bursting with…
I had quite an amazing Fathers’ Day today with my family and I just wanted to share one of the many perfect moments that I was blessed with. Being a dad is the most important and impactful role I play. All the career high 5 worthy work blah blah stuff is awesome, I’m super grateful…
My family took a stroll through my art gallery today. It’s so surreal to see it come together. Sea Zen Art Gallery & Experience by Jay Alders opening our doors in roughly a month.
I was so stoked to speak to the art students at my old middle school today. It was so awesome to meet the kids and answer their questions and tell & show them what I do. It was pretty trippy to walk the halls and see the gym that I had my first school dances in…
I am so proud and overjoyed to announce the son of my beautiful identical twin boys, Greyson Dutch (on left) and Judah Kai (on right). They joined us on April 3, 2015 in Long Branch, New Jersey, literally a few blocks from the beach at 1:06 and 1:13AM respectively. We now have three kids under…
My cherished wife & best friend Chelsea is 36 weeks pregnant now with our twins. It’s been such a surreal and beautiful experience watching her body transform into a majestic life embracing temple for our little ones. She’s been so strong and compassionate even through the many uncomfortable moments. She’s been carrying so beautifully. I…
A behind the scenes glimpse into the historic 2007 Brazil tour that moved Jay Alders to paint “Rio Jam”. The 2 week surf art & music tour with Donavon Frankenreiter, ALO, G Love and Matt Costa helped to launch Jay Alders artwork across South America. Jay Alders narrates the story with real footage from the…
My beautiful wife Chelsea inspires me daily with her strength, love, intelligence and dedication. Here she is today, at 35 weeks and 4 days pregnant with our twins. We’re so excited to meet our new babies, but I am admittedly in awe of seeing them grow inside of Chelsea’s belly too. Feeling their kicks and…
“Rooted in Love” – A tribute to love, family and togetherness. For all of you that feel a connection to elephants and family bonds, Jay now shares a very personal piece that was created as a surprise gift to his wife for the baby nursery of their twins on the way. A very limited edition print…
Quick sketching my beautiful daughter Summer Emerson before she notices Daddy and wiggles around. Ready, set, go. Thanks to my wife Chelsea for encouraging me to sketch more often. It’s crazy how when passion becomes your work that sometimes we forget it’s our passion. Always stay connected to your inner child…remember to create & play.…
In the midst of creative process & discussing the Golden Ratio with my good friend and shredding partner Scott Imbrie, co-owner/founder of Original Skateboards in my art studio. We’re working on some new projects that I’m so stoked about!
The creativity of the universe is leading me down a new path. It’s holding my hand with nurturing authority. It reveals what is and allows curiosity to explore. It guides my brush with visions of beauty and doubt clouding it’s purity with thought. My ego briefly attempts to take ownership of the artistic direction only…
Pursuing creativity can be uncomfortable if not terrifying. We leave ourselves open to vulnerability, self doubt , criticism and failure. We struggle with trying to be better than someone else or get lost in the noise of our own thoughts missing out on what is. But when creativity truly flows, there is no effort, there…
Connecting with my creative side isn’t always easy or second hand nature to me, even after so many years of exploring , creating and expressing. I assure you, at least for me, each time I draw or paint, I experience some level of deep anxiety or insecurities boil to the surface. It may seem easy…
To all of the great Dads out there who step up to the plate to make a difference in their kids’ lives… To all of the awesome Fathers out there who try to live each day knowing that their kids are watching & learning always… To all of the amazing Da Da’s out there who…
Growing up as an artsy kid, for as long as I can remember, I have always found a sincere fascination by the artistic zone that musicians, artists and even scientists share. That space between thoughts that brings us ideas and visions and songs…it’s magical. It move mountains and shapes memories. We should all listen to…