6x6" oil on Gessobord
My brother and I found an old skateboard in my cousin's basement and took it to a nearby hill. It was a skinny old board with metal wheels. It was a rough ride but we were hooked. We begged my dad to buy us one on the way home that night and were shocked when he exited the Jersey Turnpike in search of a Toys R Us.
It was 1976 and skateboarding was just starting to catch on. We bought every issue of Skateboarder Magazine and soon learned the names of all the best riders. It seemed like all the action was on the West Coast. California was experiencing a drought and some daring skaters began skating in empty swimming pools. We were blown away by the photographs and desperately wanted to move to Orange County. I've lived in California for over thirty years now and I've yet to make it to the OC!
I recently came across some vintage images online and I just had to paint one.
7 comments:
Love this subject and you handled it very well. Lots of movement and great composition on this one!
I had Road Rider 4 bright red wheels on my mid-70s skateboard. Looks like these could be the same. Great memories. I did not have access to a pool which I'm sure is a good thing- I probably would have hurt myself.
Thanks Nancy! Roger, my brother had Road Riders! I'd forgotten that name. I had Power Paws, Kona Storm, Sims Snakes, Kryptonics... No pools for me either, I mostly skated on ramps.
Love the abstract quality of this. The movement and red wheels really bring it to life.
Love the movement in this painting! Terrific !
Hey Michael, this type of painting would be fantastic in this week's Daily Paintworks challenge! I love the sense of motion and freedom you have in this piece.
I love the sunburst effect! Nice color and sense of motion too.
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