Andy Jenkins’ art and creative direction has played a major hand behind essentially every skate brand under the Crailtap umbrella for over 30 years.
From his board graphics, creative design, logo making, and sense of humour his friendship and collaborations with Spike Jonze, preceded the creation of Girl and Andy’s work is undoubtedly part of its DNA.
After years creating for other skate companies, we have been stoked to see him rejoin forces with the Crailtap camp and rejoin its iconic art dump as creative director once again.
So after being a No Comply Member for a few years now and seeing all this go down, we hit him up to discover out how he first started making art, how he’s defined his style over the years, creating his character Lettus Bee, his Wrench Pilot Comic Strips, Bend Zine, working with Spike Jonze during the Blind Video Days era, The Gonz, Jason Lee, Girl, Chocolate, his artistic style, inspirations and influences, Ray Barbee, Thomas Cambell and his favourite skaters, styles, artists, photographers, photos, videos, skate spots and more.
Read his Fully Illustrated Interview below to find it all out for yourself.
Andy, Holding his Jason Lee Cat in The Hat Graphic Board
What’s your full name?
Andrew ‘Mel Bend’ Jenkins
Where did you grow up Andy?
My dad was Air Force, so we moved a lot when I was a kid. I went to a different school every year until 6th grade. Eventually we ended up in Cheyenne, Wyoming at F.E. Warren Air Force Base. Eventually we moved to the boondocks west of town about 15 miles or so. I moved to Denver when I was 17 for art school. I’ve been living in San Pedro, California since 1991.
Anti Gravity Ollie
Right. So how did you get into skateboarding?
When we spent a year in Florida I got a plastic Makaha banana deck. 1972 maybe. Everyone there had them. But that was just a toy we rode in the driveway doing spins. I didn’t really get into skateboarding until ’84 or ’85. Started with a Rob Roskopp Monster deck. Dipped blue. That was that.
Ron Whaley
Who was in your first crew and where did you go shred?
Early on the “crew” was Mark Lewman, Spike Jonze, Andy Harris (13 year-old at the time), Anita Tessenson, Kevin Wilkins, Bernie McGinn, Rodger Bridges, Dan Estabrook. I’d venture to the Del Mar area and skate with Tod Swank, Sin, Randy Jason, O. Rad peoples. RIP O – I owe that guy a lot. Swank was the guy that christened me Mel Bend, the name I used for Wrench Pilot. My zine was Bend and I wore a bowling shirt with Mel embroidered on it.
Andy, Spike Jonze and Mark Lewman
That’s rad Spike Jonze was part of your first crew and it’s interesting to find out where your nickname comes from. So were you skating before you made art or did you make art first?
Always drew – pencil, pens. My dad was a painter when he wasn’t working on heavy machinery for the Air Force I’d sit in his “studio” at night copying pages from his many art books. Learned how to crosshatch, about perspective, proportions… all that stuff.
Ugly Beauty
At what point did you come up with your character Lettus Bee?
So I always had a pen in my hand and I’d just draw all the time. I’d draw stuff I was really into as a kid – motorcycles, BMX, Frazetta stuff, and eventually skating which just seemed to come natural to me. During the zine trade days around the mid ‘80s we’d send each other all kinds of shit. Swank and I would trade drawings a lot. They would wind up in the zines. Lettus was born in the zine pages back then. But I didn’t know it was Lettus until 1990.
Lettus Bee Tre Flip
What does Lettus’ name mean?
Let Us Be. We got hassled for skateboarding quite a bit back then. Guns drawn on us in San Pedro (Peck Park Pool), the whole bit. I was never arrested though.
Wrench Pilot
Skateboarding has always gone against the grain. How did your comic strip Wrench Pilot get picked up by Transworld?
I did an 8 page comic for Thrasher comics in ’89, I think. My zine buddy, Jawhn Dettmen set me up. They didn’t take it. I thought it was because I worked at a BMX mag – there was bad blood between BMX and skating back then. I’m pretty sure Thrasher manufactured that idea, haha.
Anyhow, I had 8 pages and nowhere to put them. My friend Rodger Bridges worked at TWS and got me hooked up with Dave Swift, J.Grant Brittain, Vuko and crew. I whittled the comic down to a spread, they published it and that was that. It went on for a couple years in every issue.
Sick. Where did you draw inspirations for the storylines of each strip?
They were sorta based on my skate life and daydreams. General vibes that were going on in skateboarding.
Right. What was your favourite Wrench Pilot to make?
I did one with a guest appearance from Kevin Wilkins – we worked his zine character, Ortho Stevens. It was a fun collaboration mixing characters. My favourite though, was one with Lettus on the stoop of a house looking over an insane series of bowls just outside his door.
Lettus Bee for Lakai
You illustrated a lot of black and white drawings for it and ever since. What do you like about the absence of colour in your illustrations?
It’s fun to leave the drawings simple, or raw. I still prefer the black and white drawings to the colour. There is one exception, one of the last Wrench Pilot’s that I inked then watercolored over.
Lettus Bee Full Pipe Carve
What was the reason you stopped making Wrench Pilot?
I guess it’s time was up. But Lettus has made appearances outside the comic ever since it disappeared.
Lettus Bee Scorpion
When did you start creating Bend Zine?
I was the managing editor of a glossy BMX mag called Freestylin’. I absolutely loved the job, but I was also playing in a band and skating every day. All fodder for making a zine. I needed another creative outlet and zines were perfect. I was addicted to publishing. The first zine I did was called RIP. It was basically music with skating. Our band used it as a promo thing. But then I founded Swank Zine and everything changed. It became a skate zine with some music and other random stuff. I called it Bend – I have no idea why. I like the word. Same with Wrench Pilot – I have no idea what the fuck the name means. It’s just a random mix of words that sounded cool to me.
Chirps
Some of the sickest and most original ideas start like that. What was your favourite thing about creating zines?
The friendships we made. Zines were our form of social media. All the zines had a page in the back listing other zines. We all started sending our zines out and a community emerged. We’d meet on road trips. We would be couch touring. We’d hang out, skate each others spots and generally laugh and have fun. I made a lot of friends that I still have today. I cherish those days.
Lettus Bee, Keep it Truckin’
What did skaters say about your zines? Was there a lot of criticism?
All good! All like-minded skaters and musicians. After a while the zine circle got pretty large and just kept expanding. I remember a friend saying “that zine sucks” but I told him, “no zines suck. Someone took the effort to make one which says a lot. Like it or not.”
Agreed. So what was it like growing up with Spike Jonze?
Spike Jonze was a spaz and fearless. He could pick up any skill and take it to another level. I’m not kidding, photography, video, BMXing, skating… He was a prankster and instigator and he got me kicked out of several night clubs and bars.
Spike was well known for pulling pranks at the time. What kinds of pranks did he use to pull?
It was always something physical. Never anything with any thought given to it, haha. He’s gotten me thrashed on many occasions and I’ve gotten hurt several times trying to keep up with him.
You worked with Spike on a series of different magazines, what was it like working with him creatively at that early stage in both of your careers?
It’s hard to describe. It was mainly three of us who jived really well together in terms of personalities and talents. Spike was the photographer and wrote, Mark Lewman was the managing editor and head writer and I would handle the layout and also write. It was a fucking blast, no lie.
When did you realise Spike was blowing up as a photographer and filmmaker?
Just after Video Days and Rubbish Heap was the hook up with Sonic Youth via Mark Gonzales. Once he made a video with them, he just took off. He always had unique, creative treatments for music videos, which progressed into feature films. He is a real people person and fearless – those three parts together form the powerhouse that he became. People love to work with him.
Considering you were mates with Spike for so long it seems obvious to ask but how did you get your Art Director job at Girl Skateboards?
I’ve known Megan Baltimore since she was 17 or 18. She starting worked at the BMX mag with us, then eventually moved over to World Industries and started dating Rick Howard in that same time period. I had done a few graphics for Rocco’s empire when Meg, Rick, Mike Carroll and Spike decided to break away from World and start Girl. That was early ’93. By August the first Girl series was hitting. I made that series with Rick at the Dirt Magazine offices in the Fairfax District in LA. Then in ’94 I joined the team full-time as art director for Girl and Chocolate.
Right ok, that makes sense. What was it like working with Spike Jonze at Girl and Chocolate in those early days?
His main role has always been the videos and films. When I get to work with the guys on those, it’s always a blast. High energy fun.
Sick. So you were doing freelance work for World in the era that Spike was editing Video Days, what was it like seeing Gonz skate back then?
I didn’t really get to see Gonz skate live a lot. I was always behind a desk drawing. But I did get to hang with him some – we traded mail and art for a while. I have some really rad early Gonz drawings and poems that he posted to me randomly.
Do you have a favourite Jason Lee trick from Video Days?
Just his style. The best.
You’ve said you collaborated with Thomas Campbell. What projects have you worked on together and what’s he like to work with??
I met Thomas Campbell through the zine circle I mentioned. He was still in high school when he sent me a copy of his Joke Zine. It was brilliant.
A few years later he was shooting and writing articles, mostly band reviews, for Homeboy magazine. We’ve worked on little things here and there for along time. I have a bunch of TC’s art as well. Some small pieces traded through the mail. I have a giant painting of his hanging in my house, I think from the mid ‘90s?
What was it like working with Ray Barbee?
I’ve never really worked with Ray Barbee, though it’s on my bucket list. When he was on Element I did work with him on some of his decks. He’s one of the most genuine humans I’ve ever met. I went to see The Pixies with him in the ‘90s.
Right. What’s your favourite Ray Barbee trick or clip?
All his No Comply variations changed the way a lot of people skate.
Your son Emmet, skates. What’s it like seeing the next generation get on-board and what’s your favourite thing to watch him skate?
I love his style. He’s pretty damn creative in his skating. Emmet’s been at it since he was about 3, butt boarding in the Crail park. He’s 28 now. Emmet grew up skating a lot of the local spots I used to skate – and Crailtap park with the dudes. Skating for me slowed down a lot when he by far surpassed my abilities, haha. I become his filmer for bit, haha
Sick. What was your favourite thing about working on Fourstar?
The apparel designs were stellar and really well made. There are pieces I still wear today. My day-to-day bag is the same Fourstar shoulder bag I’ve had for years. The team was unbelievable. Fourstar was lucky to have some great designers behind it over the years, including Kevin Lions and Nate Hooper.
Sick. Are you working on any Lettus Bee projects at the moment?
Not really. I still draw him all the time. Jaime Owens offered up a spread for Wrench Pilot in Closer mag. It’s just been hard for me to get to it. The most recent idea was a comic collab with Matt Price. I’d come up with the story line and he would supply all the reference images for me to draw – his photos are perfect for that. We’ll see. Some day maybe.
Winding back the years, you did some interesting graphics for iconic skaters outside of Crailtap. How did you decide Jason Lee would have the Cat in the Hat graphic and what was the concept behind it?
You know, I don’t think either of us really remember. I believe it was Jason Lee mentioning he liked Dr. Seuss. The idea was to have Jason dressed up as the cat, hiding his face so you couldn’t quite tell if it was the cat or him until you read the copy.
Jason Lee Cat in the Hat Graphic
Right and what about Jason Lee’s Grinch graphic?
Same thing on the Grinch… not sure. Though I’m sure Rocco made the suggestion of making it dark.
Jason Lee Grinch Graphic
And your Mario board for Jeremy Klein?
Jeremy was a video game fanatic, so Mario seemed about right. That one got a cease and desist order.
Jeremy Klein Mario Graphic
Right. What kinds music are you listening to recently?
I’ve always had really eclectic musical taste. Found some Appalachian church music that’s really interesting – kind of ghostly. As far as bands go, right now it’s Idles, Amyl and the Sniffers, Sleaford Mods and Gustaf.
I’ve also been listening to Hank Williams and George Jones.
My all-time hero is Tom Waits. Yesterday, my office mate Carlos Gutierrez, the AD for Chocolate, was playing a mix of French disco – but honestly, that was shit. Carlos is the DJ in our office, in my car and at home, it’s me.
What’s your favourite thing about low impact skating?
As an older dude, Slappys aren’t low impact anymore. My vertebrae are compacted and knees shot. I did love a good curb session. Lately I’m content watching clips of Curbkiller and Bail Gun Gary. Or, for gnar, Greyson Fletcher.
The girl statuette cast models you made are sick, how did your versions come about?
It’s just our logo built with wood. Evan Hecox made the first one over 20 years ago and it blew up from there. There are literally 100s of artists that have done them. Numerous art shows, ads, decks… it’s been an amazing thing to watch grow.
Girl Logo Wooden Statuettes
You were the leader of the Crailtap’s Art Dump and took a 7 year hiatus but now you are back. What was your reason for leaving and what motivated you to go back?
I didn’t really want to leave, but I think it was just time to try something else.
I tried for 7 years and nothing was as good, so when the opportunity came up, Megan let me come back. I’m really happy to be back.
Girl Red Board Series by Andy Jenkins
Rad. What are you looking forward to working on the most at Crailtap?
There’s always some fun special projects we’re working on. With Girl and Chocolate’s 30th anniversaries happening over the last 2 years, there has been a lot of cool stuff to do.
We just finished a project with the custom furniture maker Modernica. It’s our 2nd year collaborating with them.
This year our special guest artists are Lance Mountain, Natas Kaupas, Ed Templeton and Mark Gonzales. Bucket list project. And I still really enjoy making board graphics… my favourite days here are when the new samples come in and we can hold them in our hands. Deck graphics are so much better in hand. Sample days never get old.
Which creative skaters out there inspire you?
I’m a sucker for creativity in skateboarding – by skateboarders, skaters. Neil Blender was an early inspiration.
Lately Andy Anderson’s been fun to watch.
These guys all look through a different lens. We’re lucky to have so many styles in skateboarding.
What’s your favourite Neil Blender trick of all-time?
Anything he did at Sadlands.
The word scribble series you did looks dope, what motivates you to make work in that style?
Thanks. I’ve always drawn and written. I guess this is the crossroads of those two things. Abstract or camouflaged writing. I’ve alway liked stream of conscious writing and scribbling, I’ve been doing both for most of my life, and at some point they morphed into what you’re seeing now.
Paul Rodriguez Nike SB Zoom Airs: Artwork by Andy Jenkins
I learned fairly recently that it’s called Asemic writing – abstract “alphabets” or nonsensical written words. Sometimes you just have to turn off the brain and let the hand flow.
Collage by Andy
Who is your favourite skate photographer?
Matt Price is one. A lot of his action work harkens back to the ‘80s and early ‘90s – sort of a Spike Jonze vibe. But Matt’s taken it to another level. He has such a great eye.
Mike Blabac is pretty mind-blowing. He’s always surprising. Mike worked with Girl early on. He’s shot some amazing photos with Carroll and Koston. Brian Gaberman, French Fred, Andrew Paynter. I went to Ed Templeton’s big show in Long Beach earlier this year and I have a whole new admiration for his documentary photography.
Favourite skate photo of all-time?
Wow, that’s tough. There is a photo of Madars Apse shot by Jake Darwen in Barcelona maybe 10 years ago. Straight Ollie off that narrow steel rail with the harsh bump in it. Fucking amazing. Also any shot of Gonz doing a stalefish.
Madars Apse Ollie, Shot by Jake Darwen
Where’s your favourite skate spot in San Pedro?
San Pedro has/had 7th Street banks, Peck Park Pool, that was my favourite, the curbs at the library, the DMV parking lot.
Channel Street – pure gnar – there is no way I wold roll around on those bowls. Hairball.
Favourite skate spot in the world?
Any fun ditch with curbs.
Do you have a favourite skate video ever?
Video Days. That was special to me because Spike and I with Mark Lewman were doing all kinds of creative stuff together during that time period. So watching him work with Jason Lee, Guy Mariano, Rudy Johnson and Gonz… that was special.
Who’s your favourite skater of all-time?
There are a bunch. I really like the style skaters. Like I mentioned, the creative ones. If you have style, creativity and gnar – the holy trifecta – I’m on board.
Dog Walker
It’s a tough one but who has your favourite style on a board?
I don’t have a one favourite, I have a bunch. I’m going to forget someone for sure. In no particular order, Gonz, Jason Lee, Rick Howard, Grant Taylor, Greyson, Chris Miller, Simon Bannerot, Ray Barbee, John Cardiel, Alan Petersen, Julien Stranger, Marc Johnson, Ronnie Sandoval, Kenny Anderson, Jordan Trahan, Evan Smith, Rowan Davis…. And more. All for different reasons, you know?
Some people just look good on a skateboard and some not so much. There are some skaters who look good doing one specific trick, or skating at a specific place. Some just look good skating anything.
Who’s your favourite artist and why?
I’m lucky in that I’ve traded art with people for over 30 years, so I have a lot of great stuff. My most recent favourites are by this amazing artist from Chicago, Kelly Pelka. An all timer is one of the custom painted decks Gonz did way back when. I have an enormous Thomas Campbell painting, and I have some tiny Travis Millard drawings on parking stubs. My wife and I have a small art gallery running up the stairwell of our house.
Any upcoming projects that you want to mention?
I have been showing with Steve Saiz and his art collective, Us Angeles, but I haven’t been able to put the time into my work as much as I’d like.
I did just finish a series with Girl that’ll be out next Spring – it features some of the Asemic writing I mentioned.
Also had a few snowboard graphics come out on Signal – that was super fun. Finished a ginormous mural in Redondo Beach here in LA County. Probably never do a mural again. Now I want to take a nap. You like naps? I like naps.
Bad Dog Gamer
Any last words or advice for people reading Andy?
Work hard, be nice and surround yourself with good people. Take naps.
