Thurston’s passion for wave photography and oceanic endeavours grew from a life spent by the coast and an immense spirit of adventure. His enthusiastic nature and thirst for revelation have taken him to some of the wildest places on earth in his wholehearted pursuit of “Turning Energy into Art.”
Thurston grew up with two older brothers, both of whom pursued and excelled in professional wave-riding careers. Phil, however, was more artistically inclined, embodying a gentle spirit that did not contend well with the competitive nature of surfing. Having grown up riding waves, he traded his board for a camera at the age of 17 during his first trip to Hawaii.
“My personality wasn’t aggressive enough to catch even a single wave in the menacing arena of Hawaii’s North Shore.” With that realisation, he decided to document the island from behind the lens—and never looked back. Today, Thurston has an impressive portfolio of ocean photographs that have attracted collectors from around the world. Yet his approach to his craft remains somewhat unconventional.
“My idea is to transform energy into art. However, it’s not so much about transforming; it begins with acknowledging that the ocean is already a form of art.”
“Photography is simply the creation of a personal representation of what has already been made. I realise that I don’t create the waves, nor do I have anything to do with the organising of the elements. What I do is learn how to arrive at the right time and encapsulate the moment within a frame through careful positioning and discernment of the environment. It’s a collaborative role, and the ongoing acknowledgement that a greater hand is at work has given me profound revelation and a meaningful understanding of why I do what I do. Sure, I put my name on the photograph and take credit for the image, but the art itself is solely the handiwork of the Creator, with whom I am building a relationship and learning to trust more deeply through the pursuit of my passion. It’s a faith defined by experience and encounter.”
“Waves are extraordinarily beautiful and deeply symbolic, and I’m learning to see far more in a photograph than elegantly organised matter. The cooperation of light and water creates a subject that compels me to seek something more profound and artistically meaningful than what my eyes alone reveal. When I’m immersed in nature, I see intelligent design, intentional energy and irrefutable purpose in every detail. Above all, I see a clear artistic flair woven through every living and moving thing.”
“He’s the owner of every ocean, the engineer and sculptor of the earth itself!” — Psalm 95:5
“My goal with photography is not simply to create a piece of art, but to collaborate with the Master Artist who created the subjects I photograph. I want to create work that provokes positive thought and inspires people to see life from a new perspective—not necessarily my perspective, but one that remains open to wonder and revelation. I hope to create room within the souls of my audience for a liberating balance of faith and insightful reasoning—one that ultimately inspires hope and brings joy to the observer.”
“I believe this is the purpose of art: to create something that people can enjoy and be inspired by. The breaking wave has a unique way of doing that.”
It is ironic that such a simple intention demands a life devoted to some of nature’s harshest elements. Based on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia, Thurston trains and practises his craft daily. For more than a decade, he has studied forecasts and travelled extensively to document the most powerful and beautiful moments produced by breaking waves and oceanic events. Yet what sets his work apart may be the motivation and frame of mind with which he enters the ocean.
“I see photography as a kind of treasure hunt. The gold is out there, hidden within fleeting moments and the alignment of the elements.”
“Some pieces are rarer than others. Some involve greater risk to obtain, and some hold far greater value. This obsession has led me to remote coastlines, open waters and mountainous peaks that I may never have visited without a camera in my hand and a zealous anticipation that I might discover one of the earth’s most valuable treasures. But the final image is not merely the result of travelling and looking around. It is an extension of the artist’s vision and character—an expression of what they have learnt and absorbed—and ultimately becomes a message from the heart of the artist. I believe there is power in that, especially when the artist is pursuing the Father’s heart and seeking God’s intentions for His people and the earth. In this way, my images have been said to carry a kind of supernatural distinction, which I believe has developed through my artistry and love for God.”
“This idea of finding treasure has become a defining influence on the course of my life. Yet the most valuable things I have discovered have not been photographs. Rather, they have been personal revelations and experiences that have given me insight, wisdom and joy—qualities that cannot be learnt unless you follow the unction within your heart.”
I have always aspired to the words found in Colossians 3:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
“My art does not go on sale, so you can invest with confidence. I pour my life into my work and believe it will bring a lifetime of atmospheric energy and enjoyment to your home.”
