Monday, September 22

On Display: J. Grant Brittain

By George Crosland
EXPN.com

For a gallery of work by J. Grant Brittain, including captions in his words, click on "related photos".

For more than 20 years, J. Grant Brittain's images have defined a publication. As photo editor of Transworld Skateboarding since its debut in 1982, Brittain's photography has endured two decades of skateboarding evolution. Through the highs and lows of skateboarding, Brittain was there. Although famous for his skate shots, his well-rounded body of work encompasses more than just skating. Far from the hectic energy of skateboarding are his more serene subjects like landscape, travel and portraits.

From September 18 until October 31, The American Institute of Graphic Arts is hosting a show featuring Brittain's work at its Center for Design. Opening night saw a sold-out show complete with swank food, jazz and a book of images for the first 500 guests.

These three have known Grant since the beginning. From left to right -- Peggy Cozens (co-founder Transworld Skateboarding), Tony Hawk and Larry Balma (co-founder Transworld Skateboarding and owner of Tracker Trucks).

Friends, family, skaters, photographers and captains of industry packed the San Diego gallery. Tony Hawk, Andy Mac, James Cassimus, Art Brewer, most of Transworld's original staff and Miki Vuckovich, Transworld's original subscriber, all dropped the 15 bucks for a ticket to Brittain's first solo show.

Brittain kicked off the event with a speech thanking his supporters and a free raffle was held with prizes like a Tony Hawk autographed skate deck. After the show, the party continued at neighboring bars, and at the end of a very long night, everyone went home inspired to pursue their own artistic dreams. (At least I did.)

In case you can't make it to San Diego, Grant was cool enough to send us some of his favorite photos, complete with his thoughts on most of them. Thanks to AIGA San Diego for hosting the show and to J. Grant Brittain for inspiring skaters and artists for nearly a quarter of a century.

The show boasted a full house, more skateboard legends and players than you could hope to see in one place ... not to mention all the lucky fans and friends who made their way to opening night.

EXPN: How did your photography career begin?
Brittain: I skated and worked at Del Mar Skateboard Ranch and borrowed my roommate's camera. I started shooting my friends and the pros coming through the park. Back then, were there other people shooting skate photos to learn from? Everyone quit shooting when skating died, so I looked at shots in old magazines and figured things out. After a year and a half, I took every class at Palomar College and learned how to work my camera. I wasted a lot of film and skaters' time.

How did you hook up with Transworld?
I was managing Del Mar in 1983 and Larry Balma, the owner of Tracker, asked me to contribute to a newsletter, code word for "magazine". I had photos in Thrasher, and he didn't know anyone else to ask. I was in the right place at the right time.

I remember reading stories in skate mags about photographers taking Greyhound buses and sleeping in Denny's when the mags had no budgets. How different is your situation now?
Our budgets were $10 a day and 10 rolls of film. Now, Embassy Suites is the lowest I will go, it's all about the free breakfast. We slept six people in a car at a Capitola downhill once. I walked in my sleep that night and the next morning we saw that we were parked next to a big cliff. We used to split the mattress and box springs and sleep eight people in a room. Guys would sleep in the bathtub.

The man himself, J. Grant Brittain, stuck seated. There were so many people lined up for his autograph, I don't know if he ever got up from his chair.

The AIGA Center for Design is showing your photos until October 31. What is the AIGA and how are you affiliated?
American Institute of Graphic Arts San Diego chapter. Josh Higgins (bassist in Fluf and a rad graphic designer and AIGA member) asked me if I wanted to do a photo show and I said of course. It is my first solo show and the highlight of my career in photography.

Any advice for up-and-coming photogs?
Persevere. Never give up. Take photography in college or art school, it's a big shortcut.

Have you ever considered another line of work?
I will never give up photography. It is a part of me!



Related Photos:
The Photography of J. Grant Brittain