Dreamer

Jahmal Williams

It’s been said before in many different ways but skateboarding can be a combustive force opening new worlds of creativity for some individuals. From photographers to musicians and artists in all varieties of media at some point you’ll find some scruffy guy in the backroom who use to or still skates. The strays from the heard can find their way into skating at an early age, just as art is a solo activity the do it yourself aspect is a universal appeal for those who don’t or care to fit in.

Growing up in not so great neighborhoods in Boston during the late 80s Jahmal Williams got interested in painting via a television personality. Soon after he found skating and his talents on the board opened new doors for him. Intentional or not these activities would separate him from not only those in his neighborhood but also some of the skaters he would hit the streets with. Working in a shop and then getting sponsored by companies in California (a couple started and ran by Ed Templeton) he was able to travel and see the rest of the country and overseas. All the while nurturing and continuing his work in painting and later, sculpture. Going to school and gaining from those experiences combined with what he saw as a pro, eventually lead him to run and operate his own company, Hopps. The company has been getting a great response and both skaters and designers are hyped on his efforts. I can’t wait to see what he does next.

 Photo by Robert Petrie

What do you do to put a roof over your head?

I run a skate company called HOPPS. I’m a professional skater/artist/designer.

How did you first get into painting?

I first got into painting from watching Bob Ross on channel two in Boston.

Did drawing come first?

Yeah Drawing came first. It was more natural because of the materials around me, pencil and paper. But if I had paints around at a young age, it might have been painting.

Untitled Litho. Print on Paper

Do you think being in Boston and around all of the museums and schools helped inspire you to make your art more seriously?

I’ve always been somewhat serious about art. I think the Museums are kinda intimidating if you’re ever thinking about trying to make a career in the arts, because a lot of that stuff is so untouchable. Seeing all the beautiful works was inspiring for sure. 

I remember you had some cool paint pen work on your griptape back in the day. Was that before or after you were in school?

That was before art school but I always had a art class here and there during middle school. I also grew up with a heavy graff. influence.

What are school did you go to? Did you graduate?

I graduated from the MFA or better known as The School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Why did you go the school route?

I was going through a major transition in life during that time and Art School helped to give me guidance and structure. It was also very rewarding.

Did someone encourage you to or was it something you felt you needed to do?

I got tons of encouragement from my very loving Mother and a couple of good friends at the time. I had very little faith in myself that I could go to art school and actually finish.

What came first, skating or art?

 Art came first...  then the skating

You were on a couple of Ed Templeton’s companies (2 that he did with Mike Vallely), TV, Television and you were on the original line-up of Toy Machine (his current company). Did you see much of Ed’s art during those days? If so what did you think of it? Do you think it had any impact on your work?

Ed was always drawing on tour... drawing in the hotel. And when he was at home he was painting. I didn’t think too much about it. He just lived like an artist now that I look back on it. He introduced me to the work of Basquiat, which blew me away. Ed and Mike were definitely positive influences on me as an artist because they were living a creative lifestyle. I had never seen that before.

Untitled, Acrylic on Wood

Did you ever skate Shepard Fairey’s ramp when he lived in Rhode Island?

Na.. just heard stories about it.

How old were you when you first started to go to New York City? And how much of the art did you see back then?

I don’t remember. I know it was the early 90's with my friend Jeremy Traub who use to shoot for TWS back in the day. I was just amazed at how big the streets and building were...

Vision, Mixed Media on Wood

I remember you were one of the first of the younger generation of skaters that also had a heavy art background. How much did folks like Andy Howell, Ed T., Neil Blender, Natas and others of that era of creativity on and off the board influence you?

Andy Howell was awesome. I was a big fan of his for years. I loved all the first New Deal stuff and then later the Underworld Element. I was into graff and hip-hop so when he added elements of hip-hop to skating I was so attracted to it. No one had really embraced hip-hop back then in skating. Except SHUT. SHUT was the original!!

You work in painting and sculpture. What came first and what lead to the discovery of the other?

Painting was first. While at the MFA one of my professors told me to really look at my work closely. He pointed out to me that my drawings and paintings were very much like sculptures. He opened me up to the idea of searching out other mediums to express my visual art.

Your sculpture is part cubist in some ways but there appear to be hints of musical notes and a lyrical fluidity in design. How do you go about designing something like Mother or Dreamer?

At the time when I created those works I was studying music too. So I was into the idea of bring music into my work visually through color, shape, and form.

 Study for Miles #1, Enamel on Wood

What got you interested in abstract painting?

Abstract painting came sort of a way to escape realism and still life painting. It was a way to keep me balanced. I would get so frustrated trying to paint realism that I would sometime have these major meltdowns... not healthy

 MLK 1968, Acrylic on Wood

How is Hopps doing and why did you want to have your own company? As a rider for both small and large companies you’ve seen a lot of different sides to running a company.

Hopps is doing well. One of the reasons I started my own company was to make my own skateboards to ride. I always enjoyed the creative side of making graphics, designing board shapes etc. I had no idea the amount of work that was cut out for me!! But when I set up a new board to go skate it’s all worth it.

You’ve been working with one of the best filmers in skating, Josh Stewart to make the Hopps commercials. Are there any more in the works?

Josh is amazing at what he does. He has a good vision I believe on how things should look thru the camera. Working with him has been a lot of fun and the results are always good.  There is another Hopps commercial in the works. This commercial was filmed and directed by Marcus Manoogian. Marcus worked with Josh on the last two commercial and had this idea that he told me he wanted to do for the next one. Marcus is super talented and really gifted. I’m excited to be working with such good people having fun.

What are you doing tomorrow?

Keeping it Moving!!

Untitled, Acrylic on Paper