Interview for Thrasher-
"The trick is how to walk that narrow line of not making it corny or nostalgic—trying not to totally pander to other skaters my age but to somehow tap into those common feelings and memories while simultaneously making a good drawing. It was nice that it was at a skateshop because that was kind of the target audience, though a lot of non-skater types showed up and seemed into it as well."
When I talked to Matt I said that I wanted to add a sense of nostalgia in the work I was creating, in order to give it an extra layer, an emotive element. But Russell describes it so well here, to tap into common feeling and memories whilst making good drawings. That's what I want to achieve with this project.
His reportage work is beautiful. Its full of expression and movement. In these images he's captured a depth with tones and shapes, and the hand drawn quality. I really love his work, and he has so so much of it! Im not sure I would class him as a reportage artist, because he does so many other things, but I find this series to be a documentation of skating, thats been illustrated from various angles and view points in order to capture a culture rather than just a sport.
I feel with skating, there are limited limitations, and I think he's explored this and communicated it so well. I really think its because he was/is a skater, and understands the culture surrounding it. Being involved or having experienced what you are documenting really enhances your work, and Im starting to realise and believe this a little more every day. This is what I want to feed into my practice.
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