I've been kicking off most mornings in 2014 so far with a quick charcoal sketch, usually a portrait, and often BMX related… and sometimes, when I get carried away in the details and the hours fly by (oops!), they turn out to be kinda-sorta-way-longer-than-quick sketches! But I love it when that happens, even when I perhaps ought to be going on with other projects, the life emerging from the page holds me captive. If I'm lucky these things evolve beyond anything I'd imagined them to be when my pencil first hit the page. And that's essentially how it happened, these exciting new things! Suddenly the simple portraits I was doing not only became more detailed, but as I started to play with compositional dynamics, they evolved dimensionally as well. Two points of view, juxtaposed, to tell a little of the BMX story of the legend or star in each portrait. This is only the beginning! My aim for this series is to defy eras and genders - the list of both icons and contemporary riders, male and female, that I want to add to the series is soooo looonggggg! I'm always open to suggests of riders to add to the series - hit me up with your requests!

Bob Haro - Kick Turn Portrait

Inspired by the photography of Brad Fanshaw and James Cassimus. Bob Haro charcoal sketch by Lix North Bob Haro charcoal sketch by Lix North (progress) Bob Haro charcoal sketch by Lix North (progress)

Natalie Noble - Roof Drop Portrait

Inspired by the photography of Natalie Noble. Natalie Noble charcoal sketch by Lix North