Grace, Grit & Soul: Photography of Elyse Quartini

Showing February 17th through March 28, 2020.
Meet the Artist Elyse Quartini

About the Artist:
Growing up on the east coast, Elyse has always had a love of the ocean, from spending childhood summers on the beach to over 10 years of competitive swimming to life-guarding in Cape Hatteras, NC.  She is a sports physical therapist in San Diego specializing in surf injury prevention and is currently working with the UC State San Marcos Surf Research Team to further study surf injuries and rehabilitation.

Elyse has been a beginner surfer for over 15 years, starting in North Carolina, then while living in northern and now southern California.  However, after her husband (Joe Quartini, local of Pacifica, CA) passed in the ocean on their honeymoon in Nicaragua, surfing became not just challenging but wholly painful and impossible.

As a way to get back in the ocean, she started taking photos of surfing in the water.  Her photos include all styles and genders and intend to portray why surfers love to surf and their love for the ocean; Surfing as an Experience.

This photography show displays the power and beauty of Women’s surfing in all aspects.   “I hope my photography can portray why we love it and give people an idea of how it feels; to capture its spirit and the emotions it elicits.  Surfing requires strength, athleticism, grace and guts. We haven’t gotten to see as much of the women who live it everyday.” – Elyse Quartini