You create skateboard graphics after work. How long have you been doing this?
I’m a graphic designer by profession, and this has been my craft and passion for a long time. A while ago, when I started leading design teams, I could no longer design at work myself. Three years ago, this pushed me to integrate design into my life outside of work by combining it with my other passion: skateboarding. Since then, I’ve been creating skateboard graphics, allowing me to express my creativity in a more personal way. That said, I’m not an illustrator – this journey is also helping me evolve my drawing skills.
What came first: skateboarding or drawing?
I always drew as a child, or at least that’s what my mother says, but I can’t remember my youth without Skateboarding. I definitely think that skateboarding was more relevant in my early years and inspired me to pursue graphic arts and illustration.
What is your medium of choice?
I really enjoy the process and those initial abstract moments. Then, I move on to composition sketches in a notebook using colours and basic strokes, and finally, I take it to digital. My final medium is the iPad, as I initially couldn’t work on my Mac because it reminded me too much of the office.
How did you get into drawing?
I have a memory from childhood when we learned to draw in perspective at school. I would spend entire afternoons with a ruler designing sofas. I’m not sure why I didn’t become a furniture de-signer, but I think this experience helped me understand shapes and compositions. I studied Fine Arts in Bremen, focusing on sculpture and later on design. Sorry, I don’t have a specific answer – it’s more of a journey than a single moment. I started NOSEBONK and really began drawing again during the Covid pandemic, which gave some of us only one good thing: time.
How would you define your style?
I’ve never really thought about it.
As I see myself more as a graphic designer than an artist, I don’t think I have a personal style. I usually give myself a brief or an idea and try to convey that concept using any style that works for me.
I do struggle more with figurative drawings, so l suppose it leans more towards plain graphics.
Courious about more answers from me or the other wonderful Skate artists, go get the Skate & Art book!
More interview questions
- What has been your proudest moment?
- Have you had any embarrassing or funny moments along the way?
- If you could pick between being a pro skater or a full-time artist, which would it be?
- Are there any other skateboard-inspired artists who influence your work?
- Are there any board companies grabbing your attention with their graphics?
- How has skateboarding influenced your work as an artist?
- Last question. If you could interview any person in the world, who would it be?
