Whats new at this years World Freestyle Round-Up? A display featuring the art work of VC Johnson who’s designs launched Powell Peralta into the stratosphere. His Iconic images have inspired countless others to not only draw, but in some cases, to begin skating in the first place.
In 1979, George Powell and Stacy Peralta decided they needed a skater to represent their newly formed company. The pair agreed that 12 year old Ray “Bones” Rodriguez fit the bill, and so they rewarded him with his own signature model. As Stacy and George brainstormed graphic concepts, Ray said that he had an idea, but it was complicated. He went on to tell them that he’d send them a sketch. Expecting a drawing the he could work with, George was perplexed when he received a matchbook with a scribbled on it. Stacy helped to decode what Ray had drawn, “It’s a skull with a sword in front of it”. George showed it to his brother-in-law Vernon Court (VC) Johnson who was an artist and worked in their production department. Court said he would give it a try but that he needed something to draw from. So they bought a skeleton and named it Rosie. “He eventually did most of the graphics, and so we developed a look,” Stacy says. “It was based around skeletons and fine-line drawing that started a graphic revolution that continues to influence skate culture and design even today.”
