What’s good homies. I got some fresh news for the what it [dot] be followers, and the DOT lurkers out there. Today we kick off a new addition to the site, it’s called “fill n the DOTS”. Basically, I borrow a talented homie, who has inspired, created, demonstrated, and exceeded in their talent of “making it” at what they love to do. They could be a youngster, they could be an old timer, but no matter what they are, they have their own style. With that said, I would like to introduce a person who brings back golden, and who knows how to “keep it moving”. He has stomped through the east coast with ill video parts and as of lately, has been opening up our eyes with his vision. From having his own skateboard company called “Hopps”, to having his first solo exhibition at the Butter Gallery. I am hyped to introduce to you, Jahmal Williams. So lets read up on how he filled in those dots.
Jahmal, fill n the DOTS…
1. Growing up in boston taught me…
STREET SMARTS AND HOW TO STREET SKATE
2. Music that inspires me today….
MUSIC BY ELLA FITZGERALD
3. One thing art school taught me…
HOW TO EXECUTE IDEAS
4. Painters who influence me today are…
PAUL KLEE, FRANZ KLINE, AND MARK GONZALES
5. A painting that I’ve painted that I could never let go is…
“E.S.P”
and its because… ITS THE FIRST TIME I INVESTED A LOT OF MONEY ON FRAMING
6. If it wasn’t for Jerry Fowler…
I WOULD BE THE ONLY PRO ON HOPPS
7. Some words that best describe my artwork are…
CONTEMPLATIVE, SEARCHING FOR BALANCE
8. American Dream (Unit) was…
A DOPE EAST COAST COMPANY FROM THE MID 90′S
VISION – 1ST MARK GONZALES AND POWELL – 1ST MIKE VALLELY
9. My favorite board graphic design is …
VISION – 1ST MARK GONZALES
POWELL – 1ST MIKE VALLELY
10. One random fact about 1996 Dan Wolfe’s “Eastern Exposure” is…
FIRST TIME I GOT CAUGHT AND ARRESTED FOR SKATING COPLEY. THE COPS COULD NEVER CATCH ME, BUT I WAS FILMING WITH DAN THAT DAY AND THEY WERE IN PLAIN CLOTHES.
11. Some random jobs I’ve had to hold down skateboarding are…
CARPENTRY, CONSTRUCTION
12. One of my favorite Wu-Tang songs is…
EVERYTHING FROM 36 CHAMBERS
13. Tompkins Park reminds me of …
A SHAOLIN MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING CENTER
14. I’m into skateboarding, and art, but also into…
BUDDHIST CONCEPTS
15. The first time I saw Sean Sheffey…
FIRST MAGAZINE PICTURE = A SICK OLLIE PHOTO AT THE BROOKLYN BANKS WITH A BIG FRO.
IN PERSON = BRICKTOWN, NJ CONTEST. HE GAVE ME A PLAN-B BOARD
17. From the perspective of growing up in Boston, NYC…
IS ALL THAT AND MUCH MORE
18. When I think of a painting, the first one that comes to mind is…
DONDI WHOLE CAR PHOTO
Whole Car by DONDI
Love supreme came about and took me…
I DONT RECALL HOW MANY HOURS.. BUT I DID A FEW STUDIES OF THAT PAINTING BEFORE I GOT TO THAT VERSION. I’M A BIG JOHN COLTRANE FAN… I USED COLTRANE’S MUSIC IN ONE OF MY VIDEO PARTS WHICH WAS INSPIRED BY GONZ USING COLTRANE’S MUSIC IN THE BLIND VIDEO DAYS. BLIND VIDEO DAYS GOT ME OPEN ON JAZZ MUSIC AND HOW ABSTRACT STREET SKATING COULD BE.
Love Supreme by Jahmal Williams
19. One day at the banks I will never forget is…
WHEN HAROLD HUNTER BACKSIDE HEELED THE BANKS WALL. IT WAS RAD, BECAUSE ALL THE BIG NAMES FROM CALI WERE THERE RIPPING AND HAROLD REPRESENTED. HE NOSE SLID THE NINE STAIR AT THE BANKS THAT SAME DAY TOO. HE HAD SUCH GREAT ENERGY!!
20. Hopps is …
EAST COAST BORN AND RAISED, INSPIRED BY THE INNOCENTS OF SKATEBOARDING “BEING CREATIVE AND HAVING FUN”.
Any thanks you would like to make, or any last words…
THANKS TO ALL THE SKATESHOPS AND SKATERS OUT THERE THAT HAVE GIVEN HOPPS SO MUCH SUPORT OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS. WITHOUT YOU THERE COULD BE NO HOPPS.
SKATE AND CREATE
KEEP IT LIVE!!!
Fill in the DOT conducted by Alex Raspa
Questions by Alex Raspa and Bradley Cushing
