inkdrop: The Origin Story

 

You might be wondering what this store is all about! I'm not a massive corporation that just discovered "skate culture" last Tuesday. This whole thing started because I, Tom, am far better at drawing than actually landing a kickflip.

I grew up playing Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, watching the X-Games, and drinking too much Yellow Dye No. 5. At some point, I got inspired to try to skate, though I was always too fearful to ever really "go for it." I came to realize that my true calling wasn't becoming a pro skater—it was creating the kind of quirky, yet strangely charming art I wanted to see on a deck or a tee. Stuff that doesn't take itself too seriously, yet is eye-catching. So I started drawing. The first successful creation was a hairless cat (lovingly named "Raggedy Cat") who probably also had a bit too much Yellow Dye No. 5. Thus, inkdrop was born.

My "mission statement" (sorry to sound so corporate) is simple:

• To make stuff you actually want to wear. Not billboards for a brand, but wearable art that brings a bit of whimsy into this absurd spinning rock we inhabit.

• To celebrate the struggle. Whether you're told you can't skate here, you're bailing on a grind, or flailing around just trying to ride the damned thing, I hope you'll at least look good doing it. My art is for the try-hards, the laugh-at-yourself-ers, and the people who think a hairless cat is the perfect spirit animal for a sport that involves so much falling on hard surfaces.

• To avoid BS at all costs. Look, I sell T-shirts. No BS here - Just cool, comfy clothes with designs that don't suck.

I print my designs on high-quality, soft-as-hell tees and gear because you deserve to be comfortable, even if life isn't. I believe in good art and good vibes.

Thanks for stopping by. Seriously. It means a lot. Now go skate... or just look cool pretending you're about to.

— Tom F.
(The artist, and the guy who does everything else)