Always love catching up with the stylish Cheetah. Her latest project
a commercial for Tora Cafe in Indonesia.
How are you keeping it stylish on & off the board? Hope you share like Cheetah does because more girls around the world skate when they see stylish girls having fun skateboarding.
Amelia
When I saw this post by Amelia Potter, I had to find out more about the board. My first stop was her website
There I saw her amazing portfolio and found out that after struggling with more academic subjects she found her strength & passion in art & photography. I’m all about listening to your inner voice and following your passion so I reached out to her about doing this blog post.
How did you become an artist?
I found my passion for art at a really young age as I struggled with academic subjects this allowed me to focus and develop into the artist I am today.
Art is a gift it’s unique compared to any other subjects like maths and science which you can learn from a book, whereas art is more an insight into the beauty of the artist themselves.
I work as a freelance artist, photographer, illustrator and caricaturist. As well as being the channel artist for The Fragnostics on youtube.
Who inspires you as an artist?
I’m inspired by illustrators, films, comics and cartoonists and hope to someday work in children illustration or concept art for companies like Marvel or Disney.
I am going to study illustration and visual communication this year at the University of Westminster in London.
Do you skateboard?
Skateboarding and surfboarding are my hobbies and I have snowboarded in the past. I have quite a few skateboards all different styles such as Long Boards, Trick Decks, Retro deck and a Pintail.
Alice
What was your inspiration for the using the skate deck as a canvas?
Designing skateboards was my last project for my Art Foundation course at Colchester Institute where I looked at ‘Social Space: Who Own’s It?’ an area I had chosen to explore because of myself being a teenage skater seeing how society accepts us in ‘there’ space.
Designing on the actual skateboards created a demanding statement and visually communicates to the viewer my concept and theories my work explores.
Alex
My original inspiration to use the decks as my canvas came from street art and graffiti illustrations that I had seen at a variety of local skate parks that I go to in Chelmsford, Colchester and Southbank London.
These illustrations made up of faces, characters and words graffitied at the parks inspired me to graffiti my own board. But to convey my messages clearer when presenting my final work I knew using spray paint wasn’t an easy material to work with so I developed digital drawing which I had printed to then apply to the deck to communicate and create a strong statement.
The decks used in my final series were boards that where donated or found at boot fairs where I then took them home to clean and then print on. The prints are done on huge vinyl stickers which cover the base of the board which keeps the price down compared to screen printing. My aim was to recycle these old unwanted skateboards to give them a new life, a purpose.
James
Can you explain the art on the boards?
Each board has a illustrated identity in which the portrait has the eyes missing and filled with colour this is recurring for each portrait and shows the the portraits are blinded and being controlled by something invisible to the eye…society? Society controlling our public space owning a space that should be free?
The background behind the portraits are patterns made with the same face matching each board. The repeating pattern becomes visually overpowering which is then supported by my colour palette chosen to help aid this statement and visual communication to my audience that I’m aiming for.
Danielle
Who are the skaters featured on their boards?
The illustrated faces on the decks are all my best mates and are skaters themselves.
There are 6 current original skateboards in series that are dedicated to my friends (whos faces I used) as a thank you for helping me through a really rough year, they have kept me going so shout out thanks to Alex, James, Richy, Danielle and Alice! Love you guys!
Richy
Can someone buy or order a deck from you?
I have received a few requests about buying decks and am currently working on some more designs.
If anyone is interested feel free to get in touch. I’m happy to reprint any current designs from my art insta or any new designs just give me a message!
My web is currently being updated but I have a FaceBook page Amelia Potter Art and Photography in addition to the insta @ameliapotter_artphotography with recent work.
Thank you so much for sharing. I’m so inspired that you combined your passion for art & skateboarding to create a college project that included your friends and communicated a powerful message on how society impacts us. Plus you used recycled boards and thought of ways to lower costs by using vinyl stickers – absolutely amazing!
Skateboarding itself is sport & art. I believe it increases your creativity on & off the board. How has your creativity grown because of skateboarding? I hope you share like Amelia did.
August 14, 2017 will be the one year anniversary of Skate Rising. Since August of 2016 the girls have been meeting the 2nd Saturday of every month under the leadership of Skate Rising founder Calli Kelsay. I had the chance to check in with her and here’s what she had to share.
I can’t believe it has officially been one year! I am seriously in awe of everything that has happened and everyone that has helped the Skate Rising program grow and the amount of people that have been impacted through Skate Rising. – Callie
For those not familiar with Skate Rising, what’s Skate Rising’s mission?
THE SKATE RISING PROGRAM AIMS TO INSPIRE CONFIDENCE IN FEMALE YOUTH THROUGH SKATEBOARDING AND TO ENCOURAGE COMPASSION THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS. THIS COMBINATION ALLOWS EACH GIRL TO RECOGNIZE HER ABILITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITHIN HERSELF, HER COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.
In short I would say Skate Rising teaches, “Compassion through service and empowerment through skateboarding”
What inspired you to start Skate Rising?
I was inspired to create Skate Rising after seeing the positive life lessons that come with skateboarding arise in my own children. I saw my oldest two children, Aubrey and Kirra, push through fear, gain confidence, and learn to fall and get back up on their own two feet multiple times.
After seeing that I knew this sport/art form would positively impact other young girls if given the opportunity. We added the service element because service teaches compassion and the world will always be in need of compassionate, kind, strong women.
Although this program may have started as my vision, this program really took flight with the help of my close friend Nina Seibert, she happens to be the creative one behind the scenes. Also partnering with Exposure Skate, the large skateboarding non-profit, was also was a great fit for us. Without people like Nina, Amelia, and Lesli, this program would not be what it is today.
At each event there is an activity. Like the Commit to Kindness (anti-bullying) contracts at the very first Skate Rising and making cards for veterans at the June 2017 event – how do you think of the activities that are important to the community & of interest to the young girls?
We have specific topics to work with the girls on like; kindness, compassion, anti-bullying, welcoming new members to our community, believing in yourself, pushing through fear, and more! We decide who we can help based on the needs we know of at the time and then cater the theme. There are always a lot of people and groups that need help so, if we know about them we try to help where we can.
I have personally seen Encinitas grow as more girls come monthly. There’s also Skate Rising Phoenix now. How amazing that within a year there were two locations. Are there plans for more?
We are definitely open to growing the program nationally and internationally if the right opportunity were to arise. This program does take multiple volunteers with specific skill sets to run it and make is successful for everyone so we will always be cautious yet optimistic with opportunities that do come.
What else would you like to share about Skate Rising – from your favorite moment to your hope for the future?
Skate Rising has been such an amazing program to be part of. From the volunteers, partnering organizations, to the participants, and the recipients of our projects, it has been amazing to see how many people have been impacted in some way in such a short time. In fact, just in the past year over 2500 people have received assistance from our projects. Some of those that have benefited are refugee families, patients at Rady Children’s Hospital, victims of domestic violence, Veterans, and homeless individuals. To me this is everything. If I can have but a small part in helping the youth of today become the leaders of tomorrow then I feel extremely grateful for the opportunity.
Last month we had an event focused on empowering ones-self and pushing through fear, it was amazing what even five year old girls had to say at the end of the event. They shared how they had pushed through fear by going down a bigger ramp than ever before or how they had tried an ollie.
My hopes for the future would be that the existing participants will continue inviting more girls to participate, learn, and serve with them, the program grows to more areas and continues to advocate for those less fortunate. Just to see the positivity that has taken action has been very impactful for myself and my family.
Thank you Calli for taking the time to do this interview and for all the time you take to make Skate Rising happen and to mentor girls such as myself. You’re a huge inspiration to me & countless other girls on & off the board.
To stay up to date with all things Skate Rising give them a follow and if you can make it out to the Encinitas Community Skate Park the 2nd Saturday of every month from 9am – 11am to share in the fun or if you’re in the Phoenix, Arizona area check them out the third Saturday of every month from 10am – noon at 91 West Skatepark.
Sian shares this fun picture from Aukland, New Zealand with the caption
These rad chicks…just kickin it with the amazing @noelani_tsunami after an epic training session ✌?
Very rad to see more and more girls all around the world having fun skateboarding & encouraging each other.
Where are you having fun skating & with who? When you share you inspire more girls to skate & we all have more fun when we encourage each other.
Chiara has fun with her longboard even at school. Above she’s at Tianjin Normal University in China.
Where are you having fun skateboarding? All around the world more girls skate when they see girls skate and we encourage each other.
Fun and encouragement are universally stylish.
I love this video shared by Audrey with the caption
When Ella first started skating I was so nervous that she would stick with it long enough to drop in from this thing. Well, today was her first attempt and I was not scared thanks to years with her amazing teachers #girlswhoskateboard
I blog because more girls skate when they see girls having fun skating, and I blog about the people who encourage them because encouragement really helps you stick with anything new.
Enjoy the process of whatever you’re learning. I don’t think anyone likes to make mistakes or fall but when you realize that’s not the end it’s part of learning & progressing, it gives you a perspective to keep “sticking” with it.
When you surround yourself with people who encourage you to keep learning and doing your best, you set yourself up for success and happiness on & off the board.
2017 was the 10th year for Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro and the 1st year for the event to have a Women’s Skateboarding Clinic. Also new this year, the event was called the Neon Supergirl Pro.
Neon is Paul Mitchell’s line of hair care that’s infused with natural sugar and it’s especially for girls. Neon believes
that every girl is unique and style should be fun!
Fun is exactly what the girls at the skateboarding clinic had.
Thanks to EXPOSURE Skate who organized the Skateboarding Clinic on Sunday from 11am – 1pm and the girls skate demos on Saturday throughout the afternoon.
I got to spend time with a caped supergirl above and a pink supergirl below.
For some girls it was their first time on a skateboard.
I loved seeing both their eagerness to learn and the enthusiasm that all the volunteer instructors had. Above my favorite mermaid Kendra holding hands with a beginner.
I finished the clinic by making a new friend, who now has a passion for skateboarding.
We met up after at the Neon Braid booth and have plans to skate again at the Encinitas Community Park.
I’ve loved coming to Supergirl for years, it’s truly a celebration of female empowerment. I’m always inspired by the pro athletes and all the people who make the event happen. Now I have one more thing to love the Skateboarding Clinic.
Be on the look out for my post on the Neon Braid Booth and other Festival Village Shops & booths that made the weekend fun. Till then remember
It’s true we are all supergirls. Till next time keep it stylish on & off the board!
Julie @mistica_surfista is an ambassador for Longboarding for Peace Movement.
I got to ask her what that means?
Being an ambassador means that I share my longboard passion with everyone that I meet in my travels…Spreading the word…I work and teach a lot of kids both girls & boys and women, helping them to find their balance!!! Doing a lot of longboard sessions with them – I love it!!!
I love to see girls like Julie sharing their passion for skating. Above she’s in Tarifa Spain.
Below she’s skating in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec – Canada.
When she says she travels, she means it. Below she’s skating in Essaouira – Morocco.
And here she’s skating in Recoleta, Buenos Aires.
She definitely keeps it stylish on & off the board around the world. Where are you skating? Are you traveling with your board? Hope you share soon because more girls skate when they see stylish girls skating.
Sometimes Gidget rides at the park.
You might find her at an outdoor or indoor park.
Sometime she goes off road.
I just love all the fun she’s having and that she took the time to share. She’s also a snowboarder. What kind of board are you having fun on?
When you take the time to share, you inspire other girls because seeing is believing!
One of the things I love about summer is summer camp! Why because of all the friends you meet.
Absolutely love that Chesley Skatepark shared this photo with the caption
BFFs Day 1 of Skate Camp
It’s always fun to skateboard with a friend. And a true friend is a friend on & off the board ?
You don’t have to be in Minnesota to see all the fun at Chesley Skatepark you can follow then on IG.
Thank you so much Chesley Skatepark for sharing skateboarding & encouraging girls.
