Raleigh artist riding wave of success with painted surfboards

“I think fine art on surfboards is a whole new thing. I don't think people have been exposed to that very often – or ever, for that matter,” he said.

Hipolito works out of his home in downtown Raleigh. His signature wood-grain look is done with paint.

Clark enjoys other kinds of art as well. He has created interior design concepts for many bars and restaurants – most recently, Brooklyn Heights in downtown Raleigh.

His board work is turning out to be a booming business, however. He got his start after buying a used board that was in bad shape. So, he decided to paint it.

“I couldn't believe how many people would walk up and say, 'Where did you get that thing?'” Hipolito said.

His work hangs gallery-style at Deluxe restaurant in Wilmington and is on sale on his Web site. The boards, which can cost up to $5,000 each, are rarely put in the water.

“Most people hang them up,” Hipolito said. “I found most of my clients are older executives – people who when they were younger, they surfed and have a sense of nostalgia.”

Hipolito has started a line of photo work instead of creating only hand-painted boards.

“These boards start in the $1,600 range,” he said.

He has expanded from surfboards to skateboards, beach cruisers and signature apparel – all produced from his Raleigh home.