November 27, 2025 · By Maria Nilsson

Artist Collaboration: Yaz Ward

Last Friday night we celebrated one of our favourites - Yaz Ward. Yaz! We love Yaz. The opening of her exhibition (What Flower Is That) felt like the perfect blend of her many passions: art, friendship, ocean time, botanicals, and just a massive celebration of creative energy. The shop was buzzing with good people! The Eagle Sword surfboards collab looks unreal, orchids everywhere, beers flowing from our mates at Stone & Wood and Heaps Normal, and a dreamy soundtrack courtesy of half of Drover.

Yaz is a bloody legend — a doer, a yes-girl, a maker of beautiful things — and we’re so lucky she’s part of the Atmosea crew (you can even catch her instore on weekends now!). It was an epic evening celebrating her work, her world, and the community that surrounds her.

Re-live some of the night and get to know her:

You’ve worn a lot of creative hats, artist, builder, surfboard production, florist. How have these different worlds informed your art practice?

These practices share a common thread which is a focus on detail & form. I’ve always been drawn to intricate, almost obsessive fine detail & that curiosity shows in the way I capture the subtle curves and textures of nature.

Do you feel your hands-on work in surfboard production influences the way you draw or see form?

Absolutely. I’m a tactile learner & working with my hands has taught me to really notice how things move, bend & sit in space, lessons that come through in my drawings.

What does your creative process look like from the moment you get an idea to the finished drawing?

I’m pretty spontaneous with ideas, I don’t sit on them for long. Once something clicks I sketch out a quick plan so I don’t lose the spark. But from there, I slow right down. I’ll obsess over the details and take my time bringing the drawing to life. I also can’t work on multiple pieces at once; something in me needs to fully finish one before I can move on to the next.

Can you talk us through this series — what are you exploring in these warped botanical forms?

I’ve had so many different versions of myself over the years & I’m always evolving. I used to compartmentalise all my interests, but now I let everything I love coexist. This series is a blend of the things that make me happiest - the ocean, native flora, small details, movement — all sitting together like a botanical tattoo flash sheet. It feels like a snapshot of who I am right now, without trying to separate any part of it.

How does surfing shape your creativity? Do the two practices feel connected?

The ocean and my creativity are inseparable, one feeds the other.

You often return to native flora in your art. Why does Australian plant life hold such a special place in your heart?

I love how many native flowers are tiny and easy to miss, like the Arrowsmith spider orchid, & the flannel flowers that are soft but surprisingly tough. That mix of fragility & resilience draws me in & reminds me why protecting our native flora & fauna matters.

The orchids in your work feel slightly surreal, warped, or transformed. What draws you to that distortion?

Nature is never static & before I started on this body of work I envisioned botanicals submerged underwater, creating subtly warping forms. I focused on capturing movement and transformation, making familiar things feel a little unexpected.

Tell us about the “What Flower Is That?” collab shirt. How did you come up with the artwork for it?

The design features native flora from both Western & Eastern Australia & was actually the first artwork I drew for this collection. At the time, I was diving into plant community types (PCTs), which quickly became an obsession. I wanted to create something that felt scientific but also tattoo-inspired using reference images that held fond memories for me.

Shop Artist Collaboration Tee: What Flower is That?

What does it feel like seeing your artwork translated into wearable pieces?

It’s amazing to see my artwork out in the world, especially through a brand like Atmosea which I’ve admired for so long. Seeing it carried and worn by people makes the work feel alive in a whole new way.

How did the collaboration with your brother Ash come to fruition?

It all came together really naturally. Ash has encouraged my creativity since we were kids, so collaborating felt effortless. The quiver honestly exceeded my expectations - the boards turned out more beautiful than I imagined! I’ve always looked up to him & this project felt like the perfect crossover of both our worlds.

What was it like working together — combining your art with his shaping and craftsmanship?

It felt like a true shared process. We bounced ideas around but trusted each other completely to stick to our crafts. We’ve always been on the same creative wavelength.

What do you hope people feel or notice when they’re looking at this collection?
There’s so much beauty in small botanicals, and I hope the work sparks personal memories or connections.

Where do you find yourself most inspired?
First and foremost in the ocean. Beyond that, I’m always foraging for references on walks with my dogs along the fire trail or at orchid society meetings.

Shop Artist Collaboration Tee: What Flower is That?