TEKTY - A Skateboard Artist Interview

I wanted to know more about what inspired Tekty's desire to create skateboard art, and how skating and making art influenced his direction and outlook in life. Here's what he had to say;

Q.        How were you first introduced to skateboarding? What was the context and environment you found yourself in at that time?

A.        Truthfully I can’t remember a time where I wasn’t just mad into skateboarding and snowboarding. My brother is 9 years older than me so growing up I was always seeing his friends doing all types of gnarly things like it was a Jackass movie and seeing all the older kids in my town skating and biking around I guess all ties into why I'm so obsessed with it now. I kept my first board, a world industry one that had this crazy boxing match graphic on it before being slapped up with stickers. I still remember being so stoked getting it for my birthday, I forget how old I was, I want to say around 9-10. That’s why I love creating deck graphics, for the thought that some kid will get so hyped over the design, gets his first skateboard and just never stops riding. This is the only picture I could find with my first board but I mean just look, that skateboard really made me feel like I was that guy.

Q.        Considering yourself as a professional artist, describe the journey, the ups and downs, and what you love or hate, like or dislike about the field of art? What would you be doing if it weren’t for making art?

A.        There is definitely going to be a lot more downs than ups just like anything else in life. The ups though is such a rewarding feeling knowing your hard work paid off. Much like skateboarding, we keep trying over and over again until it’s landed because it’s something we love so we just keep pushing. If it wasn’t for art I would probably be on my way to the court house right now, so thanks art for keeping people off the streets! Also the art community is mad supportive so don’t be afraid to hop in.

Q.        What style(s) or type(s) of art do you believe should be represented on a skateboard deck, and why?

A.        From Krooked and Toy Machine being simple and fun designs to Birdhouse and Plan B having these crazy detailed illustrations, I believe just about anything can be represented on decks. Really though, it’s about what the community wants in skateboarding and understanding that there are so many different types of styles, from metalheads to street rats. With deck graphics you’re usually trying to create a story within the art work, so creating a story that will relate with the community is what should be represented on decks. Usually some gross out surrealism style art works well!

Q.        If someone were to tell you skateboards don’t belong on the wall, and should be skated, how would you respond?

A.        I hung up a skateboard once, it was the coolest design on this Polar deck and I didn't have much money at the time so I was like I'll just keep riding the one I already had until a couple weeks after I snapped it. So I immediately went home and set up that Polar deck. It was a cool graphic but then I gotta ride it which was way better than looking at the deck. Personally, I think part of the beauty of deck graphics is that they are meant to be destroyed and wrecked doing something absolute bonkers. A scratched beat to piss deck tells way more stories than a new one.

Q         Why is art important in society, and specifically in the context of skateboarding?

A.        Skateboarding is ground zero for style and fashion, everyone knows that skaters set the trends. Skate designs are backed by such a strong, wild and stone cold community that we’re constantly shoving it in peoples faces. So it’s important that the art behind it is something that can represent us all as a group and show people what the fuck is up, sorry for cussing, I don’t know if we can on this interview. But to sum it all up, art is what represents us, so it’s important that we leave our imprint so future generations can look back and be inspired. Art never dies. 

Q.        When it comes to making, enjoying, sharing, teaching and pursuing the many activities that can be centered around art – what is the most enjoyable aspect for you and why?

A.        Sharing is definitely a fun part about designing and keeps me motivated to keep going on projects. I like to think when I’m designing that I’m making something my friends and I would like. So bouncing ideas off them and sharing always gets me hyped but humbled at the same time. I love honest feedback, tell me if it’s dogwater so I know what to improve on! Once you’ve nailed the design tho and people are reacting to it the same way you did is such a killer feeling and keeps you motivated to get on to the next one.

Q.        If there is a skateboarder (pro or not) who you look up to and admire? who is it and why do you look up to and admire them?

A.        This answer is always the same, Jake F**king Phelps. An absolute icon in skateboarding and just in life in general. From him taking massive body slams, always committing fully on every trick, to just his whole outlook on life… gnarly. I remember flying back from Portland and I was wearing a hoodie with Angel Dust written right across it through the airport. Two of the airport security stop, look at me in the eyes then go “Jake Phelps… Nice!”, to see that impact that one person made just by being their crazy, weird, and gnarly self I find so inspirational. Mainly because there's always been a sense that art is to be classy, but in my mind he made being weird, grungy, and hardcore the coolest thing, just by being himself. R.I.P. Jake Phelps

Q.        If there is an artist who you look up to and admire, who is it and why do you look up to and admire them?

A.        Made by James, Lincoln Design Team, Johnny Schillereff all you’ll ever need for inspiration. Made by James is someone to check out if you market yourself as a designer, especially a newbie. He gives out so much great knowledge on the steps it takes to become a successful designer without really telling you what you should design but how you should create with your own creative outlook. The Lincoln Design team has mastered the art of design and promotion and has most likely created a skate deck you’ve seen before. They have an amazing podcast that talks all about design and whenever I'm in a creative block situation I just watch that or look at some of their deck graphics and I'm right back to creating. When you want to talk about work ethic and believing in a dream until it comes true, you want to bring up Johnny Schillereff, founder of Element. His whole story from growing up to creating one of the biggest skate brands out there is something that should be a movie. They say never meet your heroes but fortunately I got to meet all these people at a creative conference, and I can say they’re all down to earth and just as cool as their designs.

Q.        What is your favorite skateboarding style and activity i.e. street, mini-ramp, freestyle, cruising etc. Why do you prefer it over others?

A.        Something about street skateboarding just makes everything that much more hard and gnarly. It’s all about using your surroundings and creativity too just like art. Also bringing in the fact that there are just so many iconic street spots going into video parts that it creates just this museum of tricks. I recently had a trip out to New York City and got to see the Blubba and Courthouse. Just being around that and thinking about all the people and tricks that have been thrown down on them is just a blast of excitement to go out and keep skating and designing. So I guess what I'm saying is the legacy and imprint that is left from street skating is just unmatched.