Image via Complex Original
Skateboard graphics have been a part of skateboarding since its inception, but in the 1990s, a no-holds-barred explosion of ideas from brands like Real, Blind, and World Industries defined the culture with unapologetic and controversial designs. While some will tell you that the '90s was the only period worth caring about, there is a solid group of artists in the prime of their careers right now, putting out amazing graphics that hold their weight with the Golden Age. Sure McKee, Cliver, and Ancell are heroes in this world, but the non-stop talking about the “good old days” is making us feel old. Click on to check out The Top 10 Skateboard Artists Right Now, and put a few of these on ice. It's going to be 2020 before you know it.
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#10: Dennis McNett
Website: howlingprint.com
Works with: Anti Hero, Vans, KCDC, Creature
From the painstaking detail he puts into his graphics to the time-consuming linoleum/wood-cut process McNett uses, each new graphic is an artistic accomplishment. Dennis McNett has been consistently churning out angry animals for the past few years, and all of his Anti Hero decks look great.
#9: Neckface
Website: N/A
Works with: Baker, Creature, Thrasher
The ’90s had Pushead, today we have Neckface. The anonymous, heavy-metal-influenced graffiti writer creates graphics that are demonic and gory, and has an unmistakable style that screams anarchy and rebellion. Many love him, many hate him, but everyone has an opinion about his work.
#8: French
Website: witchcrafthardware.com
Works with: Witchcraft, Creature
Gore, putrid corpses, and all things vile are the running themes in U.K. artist French’s artwork. He started Witchcraft Skateboards, and continues his legacy of evil and satanic illustration. Death metal to the max
#7: Hershel Baltrotsky
Website: artraffle.com
Works with: Girl, Chocolate, Art Dump
Hershel is part of Andy Jenkin’s Art Dump and he puts together some amazing graphics for Girl Skateboards. He is so good that there is even a feature over on Crailtap dedicated to his “bad” graphics, aptly titled “Hershel’s Greatest Misses and Almost Masterpieces.”
#6: Jimbo Phillips
Website: jimbophillips.com
Works with: Santa Cruz, Pocket Pistol
The Santa Cruz brand was single-handedly built by Jim Phillips in the ’80s, so it was appropriate that he passed the torch to his son Jimbo. Jim trained his son in his iconic styling, and Jimbo has churned out one visually exciting graphic after another. He consistently keeps the Santa Cruz brand ahead of the curve with the colorful imagery it has always been known for.
#5: Todd Francis
Website: toddfrancis.com
Works with: Element (formerly New Deal, Anti Hero, Real, Stereo)
Todd Francis has been making board graphics since 1993, including some of the best Anti Hero graphics in the late ’90s, but he has not lost any steam and has powered straight through the 2000s. As an Element Advocate, Francis has been integral in turning around that brand's art department. Element is now known for his clean and stylized nature motifs.
#4: Ed Templeton
Website: toymachine.com
Works with: Toy Machine, RVCA, Emerica, (formerly New Deal, TV)
Professional skateboarder, photographer, and artist Ed Templeton is one of the most talented people in skateboarding. He has semi-retired from his active pro-skater duties, but he is still going full force with his art and photography. Ed did graphics way back in the early New Deal days, then started his own company, TV, and then ultimately became the founder of Toy Machine. Through Toy Machine, he has been reincarnating and reinventing his classic characters for years. Ed Templeton is your favorite skater’s favorite artist.
#3: Donny Miller
Website: donnymiller.com
Works with:Skate Mental, RVCA, (formerly Aesthetics, éS, Emerica)
If there is anyone pushing the boundaries of socially acceptable graphics, it is Donny Miller. He is currently creating graphics for one of the most uncensored companies out, Skate Mental, and even those guys have said Donny's work has been too much at times (this is a brand that is cool to put out a board featuring a boy humping a dolphin’s blowhole). Donny's Alien vs. Predator board is one of the best skateboard graphics ever created.
#2: Michael Sieben
Website: msieben.com
Works with: Roger, Volcom, Thrasher (formerly Bueno)
The Austin, Texas-based artist Michael Sieben has a unique illustrative style that is immediately recognizable. Just as important as the art quality is his humor, which can sometimes be dry, but is always on point. From his articles in Thrasher to his web series through Volcom to his board graphics for the company he co-owns, Roger, Sieben has secured a steady place for himself in the timeline of skateboard art.
#1: Todd Bratrud
Website: thehigh5.com
Works with: The High 5, Volcom, Nike, The Skateboard Mag, (formerly Consolidated)
While most skateboarders have varied opinions on artists within the culture, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone that doesn’t like the work of Todd Bratrud. His talent is obvious and the appeal of his humor spans the gamut of tastes. From potty jokes to witty juxtapositions that require some thought to appreciate, Bratrud is a mastermind that hasn’t stumbled in years. It is no wonder he has done graphics for tons of companies. He made Consolidated relevant, and he inevitably started his own brand called The High 5 (which puts out the best graphics of our time). Choosing just from graphics to showcase from his work was the hardest yet, there are no duds. All killer, no filler.