The Autonomous World of Neil Blender
The Autonomous World of Neil Blender Neil Blender is one of the most influential skateboarders of his time. In the early 1980's, before the skateboarding industry boom, he stood apart because of his artistic ability, individuality, and raw talent. He has become an icon that many current skateboarders have aspired to emulate, but have been unable to match. He set many standards that skateboarders still adhere to today. Neil Blender's first contribution was infusing art into the world of skateboarding. He was involved in all different types of art, photography, painting and music. He was most recognized for his skateboard graphic designs. His original skateboard graphics are still sought after today. "Coffee Break", one of his most renowned boards can fet
Through out the years Neil Blender has surfaced rarely. In the film "Street Style in Tempe", at a National Skateboard Association contest, Neil is seen skating to a ramp, dismounting his board and spray painting a character on the ramp. Many of his graphics were considered simple, yet very bold. Even more important, Blender's individuality made him seem more like his fans than a pro athlete. Prior to this most skateboards were emblazoned with only a company logo. It enabled skaters to be themselves and develop as characters instead of company mascots. He was never afraid to try something new, even if he could not execute it well. He walked away at the height of his pro career, forsaking money and security, to explore other avenues of creativity. Actions like these unified the skateboarding and punk rock communities. The style of his skating is what made him able to invent tricks that no one before him had done. Whether he was skating vert, a ramp elevating to vertical, street, or mini ramp, he was always innovative. This style of graphics became the staple for many pro skaters around the mid 1980's. His art, uniqueness, and talent made him more influential than any skater before or after his reign. At pro events he was notorious for pulling antics that would disqualify him but get a laugh. His most well known trick, the lien air, was aptly named, as 'lien' is Neil spelled backwards.
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