A former charter captain with a background in competitive wakeboarding and fine arts, Jupiter, Florida, resident Monique Richter has carved out a name for herself as one of the premier artists for painting faux-teak transoms on big battlewagons. (You can view her work on Instagram and at mrichterdesign.com.) We caught up with her to find out how she makes boat-name magic.
How did you get your start painting transoms?
I used to work as a captain in the British Virgin Islands. All the while I was working on fine art in my spare time. I would come home from trips and paint canvases and murals. In 2017, I happened to be on a trip to the Bahamas and I saw a faux-teak transom with marine art on it. I went to Roy Merritt [of Merritt Yachts] and told him I could find a better way to do it. He took my samples and also passed them along to [the builder] Rybovich. Merritt was in the process of building a 72-footer with a faux-teak transom and he told me, “This is your canvas.”
How many transoms do you paint a year now?
My original goal was to do one a month, but business soon exploded to around 20 a month. Now I do about 30 transoms a month. I also hooked up with Viking and do most of its transoms. We also created a faux-teak vinyl option for smaller fiberglass boats and center-consoles. I work with 43 boatbuilders all told.
How long does it take to complete a custom transom?
It’s a production. The boat company team will prep the boat first. It takes me a couple of days to do.
How does it compare to your fine art work?
With the boats, I work directly with the carpenters, who taught me the different properties of teak and how it responds to paint. I use Azkonobel Awlcraft 2000, which is an adjustment from regular paint. You need all the safety gear and have to use spray guns and air brushes rather than pencils and paint brushes.
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Did you grow up in Florida?
I grew up in Fort Lauderdale. I’ve been boating since I was five. I grew up fishing right off the docks for snook and tarpon. I had a little Boston Whaler when I was 13 and my parents let me boat around the local waters. I still love being on the water. I eventually got my 200-ton captain’s license and started working charters. I was also a professional wakeboarder right out of high school. I competed for about 10 years.
Do you still got on the water for fun?
I fish a lot of billfish tournaments and also still fish for snook and tarpon when I can, and I still wakeboard and wakeskate for fun. It’s been great to combine my passions and I love what I’m doing.
