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David Giddings - Writer/Creator of Harry
the Bear
When pro-surfer David Giddings isn’t
riding waves or tearing up the slopes, he’s writing about
it in his X-series of children’s books.
His stories are natural creations for Giddings, a longtime action
sports enthusiast. Giddings started competing at age eleven,
and it didn’t take long for him to become a professional
in the sport of surfing. Since 1986, he has competitively surfed
in over twenty countries, placing in the top twenty ranks of
the Professional Surfing Association from 1993 to 1998.
Writing action sports children’s books for this father
of three is a natural fit, as he is an accomplished writer.
Giddings is a Chapman University graduate in comparative literature,
emphasis on creative writing. His articles have been published
in Surfing and Surfer Magazines, Happy Magazine and various
other publications.
Harry the Bear originated from his son Addison who had a dream
of a bear chasing him wearing roller skates, thus Harry the
Bear was conceived.
David was born and raised in Newport Beach, California and currently
resided there with his wife and three children.
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Rick Erkeneff - Illustrator
Rick Erkeneff is an art director specializing
in action sports & entertainment merchandise design and illustration.
In 1993, when he was just starting his career, Erkeneff was honored
with the First Place Award in Surfer Magazine’s First Annual
Art Contest. Moreover, the contest was juried by renowned artist
and designer David Carson.
Erkeneff was also the Art Director who helped launch Plow Snowboarding
Magazine, and was responsible for the logo, design and production
for the magazine. He also served from As Art Director for surfwear
manufacturer, Rusty, (C&C Companies) from 1993-1996, he was
initially responsible for the men’s t shirt program and later
for the re-launch, concept and art direction of the brand’s
advertising campaign.
In 1995, Erkeneff launched R&D Design, an advertising and
merchandise design company. Today, R&D’s client list
includes major manufacturers in the action sports (surf/skate/snow)
category such as Rusty (mens and juniors), OP (mens and juniors),
Katin/K2, Billabong (mens and juniors), Fila, Fly Girls, O’Neill
(mens and juniors), Killer Dana (private label mens/kids), Levi’s,
among others. Additionally R&D has worked with clients in
the entertainment sector such as Blues Traveler, Jay-Z, Ruff Ryders,
Cheap Trick, Rolling Stones, and other bands/promoters developing
tour merchandise, and with Nissan Motorsports, US Open Tennis,
and the Flamingo Hotel. He has also created ad campaigns for clients
such as Cold As Ice women’s snowboard apparel, The Realm,
Sanuk Sandals, and he has enjoyed working with a variety of licensed
products for Disney (Toy Story/Toy Story II), Pokemon, and Hanna
Barbara, to name a few.
Rick Erkeneff is a multi-talented artist, active surfer, skateboarder,
snowboarder and is currently illustrating a children’s book.
He and his partner Denise operate R&D Design in Dana Point,
CA and have two active daughters who appear to be following their
father’s artistic and sports enthusiast path. |
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