Manifesting the Ocean in Timber and Resin: The Story of Hardwood Tides
- Josh Marks
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 14
A Deep Connection to the Sea, Captured in Sculpture
What if you could bottle up that feeling of being in or near the ocean—the peace, the power, the pulse of the waves—and bring it into your living space? Through the handcrafted work of Sunshine Coast artist Josh Marks, better known as Hardwood Tides, this idea becomes reality.
Josh’s resin and timber surfboard sculptures aren’t just ocean inspired décor—they’re physical manifestations of emotion, memory, and the coastal lifestyle. Each piece encapsulates the raw beauty of the ocean—bays, cliffs, wave lines, coves—and preserves it in fine art form.
From Wagga Wagga to the Water’s Edge
Josh’s journey is as fluid and unpredictable as the waves he emulates. Growing up in Wagga Wagga, far from the coast, he first fell in love with the ocean after moving to Bribie Island as a teenager. Surfing, bodyboarding, and beach life quickly became his sanctuary—and his inspiration.
A talented artist from a young age, Josh followed a path into graphic design, working in Brisbane for nearly two decades. But in 2016, what began as a side hustle—laser-cut plywood surfboard shapes—sparked a transformation and unique idea. His experiments turned to resin art and natural timber, and quickly gained traction. By 2021, he had left corporate life behind to pursue Hardwood Tides full-time.
The Craft: Sculpting the Sea in Timber and Resin
Every piece begins with locally sourced, sustainably harvested timber. Josh personally selects each slab, responding to its natural curves, colour and grain. Once the timber is prepared, he begins the delicate process of layering ocean-toned resin, aiming to reflect aerial coastlines or undersea forms.
The result? Bespoke surfboard art, which is strikingly sculptural and always evocative.
Each board can take up to six weeks to complete, moving through multiple stages of prepping, casting, shaping, sanding, and finishing. The high gloss art gallery level finish seals each board as timeless art pieces.
Emotion, Memory, and Meaning in Every Piece
For Josh, these works aren’t just aesthetic—they’re deeply emotional expressions of what the ocean and surfing represent: freedom, focus, community, solitude and flow.
Whether it’s a stingray sculpture, a Māori hook, or a flowing resin wave on timber, each work is shaped by nature and memory. Josh believes strongly in creating art that lasts—not just physically, but emotionally.
Sustainable Art for a New Era
Sustainability is core to the Hardwood Tides ethos. Every piece is made with purpose, not mass-produced, and to the highest standards using the highest quality materials. Unlike many consumer products that end up in landfills, these artworks are designed to be heirlooms—treasured, preserved, and passed down.
“I came from an industry where businesses spent hundreds of thousands on signage, only to throw it out after a few years. My work now is the complete opposite—it’s valued, and built to last generations.”
Josh’s early success at events like the Maleny Wood Expo—where his first stingray sculpture won the People’s Choice Award—cemented his reputation in the world of sustainable timber art. Since then, his pieces have been displayed in galleries locally and globally, from Caloundra, to Noosa, and Hawaii, and find forever homes for clients all around the world.
Display as Art: Partnering with Ghost Racks
When he needed a way to display his first six-foot board, Josh connected with the team at Ghost Racks, who now custom-design mounts for Hardwood Tides' heavier boards. This partnership has allowed his pieces to be exhibited like true gallery art—suspended, unobstructed, and elevated.
A Message for Fellow Creatives
Josh's journey from part-time hobbyist to full-time artist wasn’t without hardship. Transitioning from the stability of corporate life to the uncertainty of self-employment brought its challenges.
His advice? Stay passionate. Stay consistent. Put in the reps. Even if it starts as a side hustle, you never know where your craft might take you.
Bring the Ocean Home
If you’ve ever felt that indescribable connection to the coast—the one that stays with you long after the salt has washed off your skin—Josh’s art gives you a way to honour it. Every piece from Hardwood Tides is a tribute to nature, resilience, and craftsmanship.
Ready to commission your own custom piece?
Follow the journey: @hardwoodtides on Instagram
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