Meet Bart Saric | Filmmaker/Artist/Writer/Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bart Saric and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bart, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is a part of life. Whether it is rarely, daily, weekly, yearly .. risk is a part of life and growth of oneself. It teaches us about what works and doesn’t work, based on trial and error. If one does not take any risks in life they are avoiding the essence of experiencing life and it’s gamuts and endless levels of educational dynamics. I feel that if you avoid risks in general, ones life can become more at risk of dangerous, or real adverse situations that can and will occur.

I’ve seemed to make a career of taking risks up to this point in life. Whether it’s been consistently participating in hard core skateboarding, surfing, or other physical activities that rely on quick decision making with awareness and consciousness. Putting dedicated time and practice into things that can have serious consequences if taken lightly, or with a grain of hesitation. It’s taught me so much about how to approach and enjoy life. So, whether it be going out on a limb and producing a film or starting a brand unfunded and independent, or saying yes to a task that is completely foreign to me .. risk, within reason, is a healthy thing to learn to manage and evolve from.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Over my years and now decades in effect, I’ve gravitated toward expression. The love, challenge and growth that involves being a true artist is nothing like what those that don’t participate in it think. If one is true to themselves, it is a never ending process. Maybe why I chose something at a young age that I could do my whole life, no matter how long that is. It requires dedication, courage, diligence, love and willingness to break down and build back up. It’s not easy and difficult often due to the many variables that are involved. So much of it becomes problem solving and skill set building. Dealing with the unknown is a constant.

To achieve anything worthy or true, one must persevere the trials and tribulations that come along with it. The old saying “good is not cheap and cheap is not good”, has a lot to do with the integrity of what one works on and the outcomes of those involved processes that make a person proud of what they’ve acheived at the end of a day. Reminded constantly of vulnerabilities and being humbled by those weaker points is a motivating force to evolve into a better version of self on the daily. The gift is the day we have alive, so not wasting any days is part of the deciding factor to work harder and more consciously for results and worthy achievements that come from that type of work ethic.

My brand(s) and my skill sets are all honest and earned accordingly for the right reasons. The integrity of others and self loyalty is a really big part of that equation working. Reaching those goals/acheivements that were never on the initial radar is a joy and a blessing. Of course, having fun with what it is and in the process of it all is a place where success becomes defined by what one does and why they do it. I’m always questioning myself and not settling for the given. Why I believe self evolution is still relevant in life, no matter what age someone is. Saying it like I mean it and delivering what is promised is the aim, in general. Having a good time doing that on a regular is a lifestyle choice.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Hmm.. depending on the budget(s). Growing up as an avid skateboarder/surfer I know how to have the best times on a poor boy diet too, hah. Honestly, good places have good people. One of my favorite places anywhere in the world is the beach and as a surfer and adventurer I know of some pretty amazing beach locations. So, the day or week might begin, resume, end or frequent at the sweetest and most beautiful beaches the big coastline of California offers.

The music, art and cultural scenes are another huge part of my life. Connecting with good people in these is key to feeling stoked and enjoying oneself wherever they are. So, attending music shows at the many venues (small or big) existing in the greater Los Angeles area and abroad would be on the calendar of things to do. The prominent galleries when showing the most interesting shows would be on the check list too. Dining would more than always be placed by and around these locations and events for convenience. The varieties of authentic cultural foods that the metropolis showcases is quite extensive.

If the friend likes to ride (bike, skateboard, waves, etc.) it’s always a plus to get that heart rate bumped up in a natural activity and stoke based vibe. That’s always a plus for enjoying a great meal and day with loved ones. In general, being a connoisseur in the city pays off. To drop a few obvious locations for such activities I’d like to mention : The Griffith Park Observatory, LACMA, Venice Beach, Tatsuki Sushi restaurant, The Hollywood Bowl, the many trails and hikes that the mountain ranges of Los Angeles offer and of course the beaches up north and down south. Not wanting to blow out too many spots either, hah.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Well, in all honesty, first shoutout goes to my parents. Without them and their love I would simply not be here. They’ve given me quite the interesting and less traveled road in my life and it seems I did not want the normal route anyway. I feel they were the risk takers, born into it with challenging upbringings. As I grew older with them it made me more accustomed to change, challenge, the unpredictable and risks that often arise in life.

A shoutout to my Dogtown family, friends and mentors like Eric Dressen and Wes Humpston +. The brief but inspirational art crossovers locally with such legends as Francissco Grippa and Aldo Luongo. Gravitating toward passionate people has always been a draw to me, keeping me inspired and motivated in what I feel love for in all the natural ways. Can’t ever forget all the generous and giving local people in the original communities I grew up in and around, that helped a young fella grow out of his protective shell for the right reasons. Big thanks and love to my true blue Venice, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, NW, Australian, East Coast and Hawaiian ‘Ohana’. There is so many we’ve lost and I hold them dear in my hearts each day and forevermore.

Want to give a present shout out to those keeping it live and direct in the local communities like : Bay Street Boards, Rip City Skates, Unity skate shop, Ladies Jam team, Voyage LA for this opportunity to share, etc.

Website: skatermade.com

Instagram: @skater_made

Twitter: OGB-artman

Facebook: Bart Saric, Skater Made

Youtube: @MYMISTRIAL

Other: Sooner than later I will have a brand new artist site and art shop up, showcasing my extensive works and offering limited pieces and prints. So keep an eye out for the Bart Saric / ‘OGB’ website .. Thank you!

Image Credits
The photo credits are: 1) Marty Grimes 2) Monica Orozco 3) Eric Dressen 4) Ernest Brown 5) Jesse Papik 6) GoPro Selfie 7) Chris Hooten. Much thanks and respect for these captures!