Riding the Resin Wave: The Artistry Behind Hardwood Tides

Hi! I’m Josh Marks — creator of Hardwood Tides — and I’m stoked to welcome you to the official blog. Based here on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in Caloundra, I’ve been blending wood, resin, surf culture and design into one-of-a-kind surfboard art pieces, skateboard decks, sculptures, and décor since launching Hardwood Tides in 2016.

👣 From Graphic Designer to Resin Sculptor

My art journey began with a Graphic Design degree in 2003 and nearly two decades in signage, project management, and design. What started as a relaxing hobby—working with wood—evolved into something much bigger: a full-time creative career since 2021. Today, Hardwood Tides represents a seamless fusion of function, form, and the coastal landscape that defines my home.

Merging Nature + Culture in Every Piece

Each work begins with carefully selected, sustainably sourced Australian timber. These slabs—often reclaimed deadwood—are either kiln-dried or aged, ensuring natural beauty and stability. Next, the highest grade pigments and epoxy resin flow through the grain, mimicking ocean swells and sandy shores. The end result? Unique surfboard wall pieces, ride-ready skateboard decks, or sculptural décor—all hand crafted to last and evoke the coastal lifestyle you love.

What Makes Hardwood Tides Unique

• One-off Creations – Every artwork is custom-made and handcrafted; there are no duplicates.

• Surfboard Art – Designed for display, not surfing; the physics just won’t let me make them rideable—but they do look fantastic on display whether it be free-standing or wall mounted.

• Skateboard Decks – Fully functional if you choose to ride them, these decks carry that same wood+resin aesthetic, ideal for riders or collectors.

• Resin Sculptures & Décor – From one off natural world inspired wall pieces to sculptural forms, each piece brings a little splash of the ocean and warmth of nature into your interior space.

Commissioning Your Own Coastal Masterpiece

Curious to bring your surfside vision to life? Here's how it works:

1. Reach out via the contact form on my website.

2. Collaborate on design, size, materials, resin color, and display options.

3. Sourcing: I obtain sustainably sourced either naturally or kiln dried timber, clean and surface prior to creating mockups for client approval before any resin work commences.

4. Craft: My process from layout to finished piece takes roughly six weeks once materials and specs are signed off.

5. Ship: I offer worldwide delivery—whether you're in Surfers Paradise, California or France, each board is professionally wrapped, boxed and shipped with insurance and tracking.

Looking Ahead

In this blog, I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes videos and pics, deep dives into timber types, tricks of resin (color mixing, pigments, epoxy secrets), studio tales, client spotlights, and more. Let’s celebrate the art of coastal living together!

Thanks for Coming Along for the Ride

I’m grateful you’re here—whether you’re a collector, rider, home decorator, or simply a lover of the surf culture. Keep checking back for fresh work, artist musings, and special reveals.