For the 2009/10 winter season we are launching The Axis Project - designed to give artists the opportunity to present their work in an unusual medium, and strengthen the links between art, music and snowsports.

Our first year presents work by Mike Ennen, an artist from Oregon, USA. Developed in conjunction with Ski Service Verbier and based on our Wednesday and 3.zero models, these skis are available in very limited numbers only from Ski Service. www.skiservice.com

We are also launching our first design competition where you can win $500 USD and a pair of your own skis – check out the News section for more information.

Maria was the winner of our first design competition in 2009, to design the topsheet for a limited edition run of our Kennedy park ski.

Maria can usually be found painting scenes of animals with peg legs fighting each other with chainsaws and lightning bolts. She was born and raised in Christina Lake, BC and obtained her BFA from SFU in Vancouver. Never straying far from the mountains, she then lived in Whistler for 3 years, working as a Snowcat mechanic's assistant and making surrealist paintings for art shows in her spare time. She currently has her studio in Nelson BC and is a part of "The Factory Art Gallery and Studios", and she resides in the small town of Ymir so she can paint and snowboard full time.

Check out www.flatblackgallery.com

Hometown: Bellingham WA USA

Local ski area: Mt. Baker WA USA

Years skiing / boarding: 25years/17 years

Favourite terrain: Backcountry, Powder lines.

Job: Professional Wakeboarder and Artist

Favourite art mediums: Charcoal and Printmaking

Art to me is an expression of my life.

I started making art as a kid because it was fun and I enjoyed breaking outside the box. There were no rules and you could do whatever you wanted. My mom and several art teachers saturated my life with art and supported me to take it wherever I wanted to go.

Inspiration for me comes with visually seeing something. Looking at a mountain, a lake, a tree, or a even an image. Being out in the world is the best way for me to be inspired. I try to disconnect and let my true feelings and influences out into art mediums. Everything I do and everywhere I go influences my life and my art. I try to keep my mind and my eyes open to portray who I am and what I believe.

If you want to check out more of my art check out www.aacadia.com or www.ennenbrothers.com.