“Street Art” is probably the worst, barely passable pun I can use to introduce this set of work that lives at street level. Sidewalk chalk takes cover out of fear of getting thrashed by this modest collection of skateboard decoration. I poked around some of my favorite places to find cool skateboard decks in the wake of J. Namdev Hardisty’s February release, New Skateboard Graphics and the amazing retrospective show from Powell/Peralta, Rip the Ripper. So without explaining why skating, skateboards, and skaters are eternally linked with the front lines of art & design, here is some seven-ply eye candy.

10. Remake of the 90’s 101 NASA Challenger deck

9. “Scream” by stencil artist ck1.ir

8. “The Man about to Crash” by Chris “El Flyer” Dyer

7. “Opus vintage labels” by Mark aju/osl

6. “BOMBER” for a grip tape design break…

5. “‘91 New Deal, Rick Ibaseta” by Andy Howell

4. “Switchable Skateboards” by Jeremy Gregory

3. “Eames skateboard” by David Douglass

2. “ROSTARR” super sweet laser-cut deck from refill 7

1. “Captured Bird” by Shai Dahan, from the ever growing collection at Abztract

Mmmm… good “inspirationostalgia” for those of us who once had elastic knees. Also check out bonelessone’s amazing collection of vintage decks.

I can’t stop drooling.

By Marc Hobelman