“SK8” was an acronym adopted by skateboarders; the “MVP” is a reference from to my brother Michael. This painting is based on a photo my dad took of my older brother in his most shining moment, when we brought our ramps to high school for “talent day,” where Michael was the equivalent of the star quarterback for the afternoon.

Details I’m drawn to in this painting start with the folds and creases of his shirt and shorts, which, when viewed out of context, become a tangle of shapes resembling water and grass. The tree leaves arch around his head as he soars, reminiscent of a halo around a disciple, framing his face captured in a serious countenance. The rays across the sky are a reference to another skateboarding hero of our youth, whose designs featured aspects of the Japanese Rising Sun flag. The rays also serve to add emphasis to the motion, his dramatic rise into the air, flying high off of the ramp in concentration and triumph. Though the viewer may not be familiar with the particulars of skateboarding, this piece conveys the skill and athleticism on display.