Schoph Artist Profile
We popped in on highly accomplished artist and long time Lib Tech contributor Schoph for a little chat and a cuppa Guinness. He gave insight into his artistic roots, his creative process working on the Terrain Wrecker art and a lot more!
Where exactly do you hail from?
A small village in Yorkshire, the North of the UK.
Briefly tell us about your art background:
I grew up as a kid spending hours drawing and painting in my own world since I can remember. School came around and at the age of 12 or 13 was told I’d never be an artist and not be able to take art at school by the teacher who looked like Tina Turner. Turns out Tina didn’t like me drawing what I wanted to… instead of what the school wanted. Drawing and Painting was the only thing I enjoyed and was good at, so I left school with nothing.
I’d always drawn and filled sketchbooks so I carried on as per usual… Maybe that teacher saying I can’t , sparked that flame in me and pushed me to go against that at a young age, so maybe I should thank Tina.
Fast forward a few years later and growing up skateboarding I was exposed into a whole new world, bringing me to my other passion Snowboarding. Moving and traveling from the French alps, I became fortunate to work with brands that supported me professionally. Down the line and coming full circle to the present day I began building working relationships as an Artist in the Snowboard world.
On the flip side I feel you can’t pigeon hole yourself as an artist. Like a musician that can play drums but also can play guitar, if I have an idea I like to find a way to make it happen… even if it’s polar opposites or new to how i usually produce works. It’s all about progression and balance and that made me want to work in a number of different mediums.
Over those years of transition from being a snowboarder to full time artists, I didn’t know anything about the so-called art world… to be honest even that I’d be somehow a part of it. Back in 2010 I began working and being represented by Redhouse Originals Gallery, Harrogate for my Abstract and mixed media works. Which gave me more of an understanding and helped grow my practice.
You’ve been doing art for Lib Tech for a while now, how did this relationship start?
It began originally riding for Lib Tech in Europe. Back then I was sponsored by a few brands living and traveling in the alps. One-year I was sent to Ispo with the UK team manager who introduced me to Pete, not knowing Pete had my artwork on his screen saver for a few months by all accounts. I’d already had a connection with Jamie back then through Music and touring Europe a few years before, we were catching up and Pete came over. One thing led to another and in 2015 I began working with Lib and my first graphic on the Banana Magic graphic.
As a kid growing up in snowboarding in the UK, wanting to work not only as an artist in snowboarding but for Lib Tech was a major goal in my life. Proud to still do so and couldn’t thank the Mervin family enough for the doors it opened and opportunities I’ve had.
Describe the Terrain Wrecker art.
Each Year I try to bring a strong graphic to the Wrecker, whether its elements form one piece, a full piece top sheet or a mixture from one of my resin paintings. This year we were back and forth on the skull illusion concept… It took a while but I was happy to bring this to life, the river from the nose and mountain, the praying women as the eyes and nature taking over the whole scene as the outline, throwing in the optical root words to have it symmetrically fit.
What is your favorite medium to do art in?
Anything and everything , I work in 4 different mediums, resin, acrylic, stained glass and abstract mediums. Anything that I can translate the art I want to see.
What inspires you?
Inspires… it’s more a need, something i have to do. A purpose.
It seems like whatever the time you’re always very prompt to respond and communicate, even with the 9 hour difference I hardly ever have to wait until it’s day time for you to get a responds. Do you ever sleep?
Be a Pro. Make life simple for everyone you work with which usually means handle business at whatever time. As a result, everyone’s happy.
When I paint it’s all that matters: minutes, hours, days, mornings and nights disappear. They’re are just numbers and something that controls us. As an artist there are no hourly work days. You paint when you want, feel and need to and sleep and eat when you feel your body has to. I feel if you want to be the most productive as an artist don’t think too much about it all and just do.
Sleep when you’re dead.
Any upcoming exciting projects you can tell us about?
Always stoked for the following winter as I know what I’ve worked on regarding signature lines and collabs with the brands that support me. A lot happening with Volcom in 2022. Plans on the horizon for a few shows happening for late 22 and spring 23. Myself and Jamie after the pandemic of not being able to handle our art collaboration company 1910 will be back to full tilt with new apparel lines. And most of all Travel from the UK has been lifted to elsewhere in the world so i can hatch more plans… I guess that’s all I can mention for now the rest is hush hush.
Where can people see/buy your art?
You can check out my work, paintings, collabs and past shows over at www.schoph.com as well as my store is there for available works.