I was in Brooklyn under a viaduct waiting for a ride – a colorful school bus for crazy kids going to the Gratitude Migration Festival, when I met Andy. He was literally in the air, jumping over a ramp, when our eyes met. I instinctively smiled and waved at him and then continued observing the whole area around. After few moments he rolled up to me (on a skateboard of course and with such an ease that for an observer it looked like the brain of his sends impulses add to the body also to the board and vice versa).
His eyes were shining so bright, that we skipped the boring introduction part and started talking right away what we are up to. He told that he and his friends from San Francisco just arrived to New York City from a 48 hour (almost) nonstop drive across the country! And the reason – to skate in Brooklyn and later at night in Manhattan.
He also mentioned that he has been skating since he was little and while hugging his board, he made a statement: “This is my wife!”
I couldn’t resist to ask if I could draw him. He agreed, but asked to wait a second. During this moment, he took fake teeth out of his mouth, stood up straight and smiled with pure happiness. While drawing I got to know his son’s name (written on his forehead) and Andy’s second name – Martinez. Also, that he and the crew are supported by Volcom x Antihero, which makes it possible for them to just travel and do what they love.
Finally he asked me – “So you are traveling alone? Where is your boyfriend?”. I looked at him and pointed to my sketchbook. We both started laughing in a common understanding.
Meeting Andy, made me somehow believe the religious stories about saints and saviors. But nowadays instead of walking sticks, the saints are on skateboards.
And flying on ultra lights? The funny thing is, that when I arrived to Reno from my cross country train trip, I met a friend, who is a pilot and who shook my perspective of seeing the World by taking me in the air with his ultra light some years ago. He was looking at my drawings and while observing the one of Andy Roy, he pulled up his sleeve and showed me a tattoo on his shoulder, asking whether it was the same as on Andy’s neck…
Now, can’t wait to record a story of a punk astronaut!
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Watch this video! Andy has a super hilarious way of being kind!