We organized this challenge as a vehicle to bring a large swath of the skateboarding community together who otherwise may have never connected. We worked hand-in-hand with our friends at Comet Skateboards, Divine Wheels, and Caliber Trucks in order to bring you this experiment in community building. The above brands are from opposite coasts, and regions, and we like to think that by working together with them, as a collective, we somehow helped bring the community a bit closer.
That said, the greatest success of this graphic challenge was in connecting the global community of skaters and artists together to create this rad downhill board. We had a 100 skaters from across the entire globe send in their inspirational art work, and thousands more who voted on the top ten finalists. To all the artists: you guys and gals are truly talented and we thank you for sharing your creativity with all of us. To the skaters and thier friends & family who sent in their votes and showed thier support for the artists: We salute you and tip our hats in your direction.
Below, are some images from the winner and the two runners up, some of their closing thoughts, as well as links to their other projects. Check it out, thanks to all the skaters out there and to the brands involved for all the continued support, and please stay tuned to Wheelbase for more skateboarding for skateboarders by skateboarders. Boom!
Winner: Antonella Eva Morelli
Mati, Antonella’s boyfriend, switch slider. Photo: Antonella.
“I’m a full time graphic designer and photographer. I work for one of the most popular model agency in Argentina as their graphic designer. I also work as a freelancer designer, illustrator and photographer for my own project, Seres Multiples.
I got close with skateboarding and Wheelbase through my boyfriend, who is a skater and loves the mag. He is always sharing videos, photos, and skateboarding material with me. I really like the sport and the whole scene!”
Click on the above image to purchase this Ltd. downhill board. Click here to see Anotnella’s design studio and portfolio.
Runner up #1: Kris Haro
“Hi, I’m Kris Haro, a lady shredder spreading the stoke for about 8 or so months (of bailing and a hint of progressing), and have been following Wheelbase for quite a while. I am always up and back onto the board to shred even more after I read their articles! My art is always a big mix of everything that tends to pop up in my busy head, ranging from random ogres to men with beards (which tend to be my most common subject). As a huge future project, I’d like to eventually hand paint a collection of old and used decks both longboards and shortboards alike!”
Click here to see Kris’ blog and other work
Runner up #2: Kyle Rice
“My name is Kyle Rice, and I am a downhill skateboarder and a skate artist. I began street skating when I was 8 and have always been involved in art, so the two just happened to come together. I later moved towards a “skate everything” attitude, and then I was introduced to downhill. I first heard of WheelbaseMag while I was watching a youtube video and I saw a wheelbase sticker on a helmet of a Cali kid killing it. I looked them up and have been following them ever since. It is really rad that Wheelbase is so involved in the downhill/art scene and held this contest.”
Click here to see Kyle’s other artwork
Thanks again to everyone who got involved and help spread the shred! Let’s do it again real soon. . .