37Signals has a post about the history of skateboard deck graphics, including a cool slideshow that they put together.
~ via Drawn!
I’m really glad to see folks in the web design community giving a nod to the influence that skate culture and artwork had on our generation of designers and artists. I know it was hugely influential for me.
Before Track Bikes, There Were Skateboards
The Eighties
Yes, I, too, come from a skateboarding background. In the 80’s, I tooled around in the driveway on my brother’s Powell Peralta Mike McGill board with the iconic skull and snake. We lived in Southern California at the time (which was a departure for my east-coast family) and what a time to be there!
OMG, awesome, right?!
The Nineties
Well, I wasn’t doing much on Bo’s Powell deck other than getting comfortable with tic-tacs. But later in the early 90’s — in the “New School” — I was wanting to skate again and a friend flowed me down a practically unrideable setup, complete with a slick deck (remember those!).
That board was so spongey, the slick was peeling off completely. Two of the seven ply’s were already cracking through. The wheels were so tiny they were hardly more than thin urethane bearing sheaths, with terrible flat spots. Ugh, New School — I definitely don’t miss the teenie tiny wheels.
I must have been 14 or 15 and skating quickly became an addiction, it completely consumed every aspect of my life. I skated every day for hours for the next 5 years. If it was wet outside, I’d find a parking garage. If it was too late to go out, I’d skate in my parent’s basement, god bless ‘em.
The 2000’s
Skateboarding was fading out for me at this point. Sad. My friends all seemed to be moving on. They were getting drunk and/or laid which took priority over skating, sadly. Skating by myself sucked. I eventually found some crap boyfriend and skateboarding vanished from my life completely. Those were dark days, but not too long afterwards, I discovered the joy of cycling!
I’ll Always Love You, Skateboarding
…but I love bikes more now, hehe. First of all, I can get places faster. I don’t have to worry about every tiny little pebble on the ground making me eat shit. And I like to fly under the radar sometimes — girl on a bike doesn’t draw nearly as much attention as a girl on a skateboard. I always hated the feeling that everyone was watching me when I skated. I still have a board, that I look at wistfully sometimes.
Maybe I’ll go push around. Bye!
