‘I do find myself falling down the rabbit hole of social media from time to time and find incredible artists.’
Michael Reuter
SKATE SPOTTED
USA
April 2026
What is the idea behind Skate Spotted?
The idea behind Skate Spotted has had numerous iterations since I started. Skate Spotted original was just a journal I designed. During high school when driving around looking for spots, which is one of my favorite things to do in skating, I found myself with an old notebook keeping addresses written down as well as what I found at the spot. When I finally designed this book, I was a bit stuck in the past not anticipating the nature of not only the internet but technology in general. From this point Skate Spotted evolved into a board company which I did for a while doing successfully, in a bunch of shops, pumping out videos, etc. I eventually got burnt out as well as the difficulties of running a board company took its toll. At this point Skate Spotted was pretty much running on fumes, I slowed all my production and just started posting random stuff to the Instagram page. This is where Skate Spotted has become an ode to artistic works in the subject of skateboarding.
‘This is a random full pipe a few of us stumbled upon. The pipe was slightly off level so it was a bit difficult to skate. George Leininger is the skater in the shot, I’m pretty sure I toke the photo myself.’
What were some of the challenges you faced running a board co?
There were endless challenges running a board company especially doing everything myself. I did have help from a few dudes who I very much appreciate. From the beginning I was much younger and did not do my homework, unfortunately I really wish I would have made a decisive plan for the company before starting. What I pulled off for just winging it was more than I expected. Between figuring out a manufacturer all the design and marketing, talking with skate shops when there are ten new companies coming out every day. Doing all that had its difficulties but honestly the biggest challenge was realizing that owning a board company does not equate to me skateboarding more. It is pretty much the opposite, if I’m out skating, I’m usually filming other skaters for Skate Spotted videos. Filming and editing other skaters is a whole other challenge in itself to add to that pile. It takes a lot of dedication to run a board company; you definitely have to do it for the love with no expectations for the love back.
Have you done the artwork for your boards?
I do illustrate but I am formally trained in graphic design and film. I did all the artwork for the Skate Spotted boards. The style I wanted to bring to Skate Spotted boards were to always be monochromatic with the raw board showing through the graphic. Again, much earlier in my artist career, the graphics as I look at them now could have been developed and have had more depth to them.
‘I have really got into toy photography and started this account for fun putting action figures in skate positions.’
What is it that fascinates you about skateboard-inspired artwork?
So many people say that skateboarding is synonymous with art and I definitely agree with the sentiment. The possibilities between the two are endless. I love being a creator as well as being inspired by other creators. The artwork I post have all been inspired by skateboarding but all of the artwork is so unique.
You post a lot of stuff on IG. How do you find these artists?
Before I started posting all these artists, I was using the save section of Instagram to keep other artists’ work that I really like for inspiration on work I was doing. As we all now know how eerie these social media apps configure our interests, the algorithm does a lot of time just end up showing me cool works of art. I do find myself falling down the rabbit hole of social media from time to time and find incredible artists. There are so many artists, it is endless. From the novice to the ultra-talented if the work of art intrigues me ill add it to the pile of saved work I have.
Any hidden gems that deserve a shout-out?
There is so much incredible work I find, honestly if I didn’t have my own artwork piling up everywhere I would be broke collecting so many of the amazing pieces I see people making. I don’t know if I would call it a hidden gem but for a little more self-promotion I’ll give my other account a shout out. @FrontsideFisheye I have really got into toy photography and started this account for fun putting action figures in skate positions. On top of the photography, I started building small models for the shots as well. Unfortunately, life’s impositions have taken me away from this for a bit but I’m hoping to getting back into soon.
What are some of the other skateboard inspired artists you follow?
There are so many incredible artists, the work from Don Pendleton especially with Workshop. I think his style complements the tone of the company so well. What Jeremy Klein did with Hook-ups bringing anime into the industry was awesome. Some recent artist: Henry Jones is killing it as well as Rick from FutureLaterDesign.
What else is on your wish list?
More time to skate.
If you could interview any person in the world, who would it be?
Jesus, so he could tell me what the hell is happening in this place.
This piece this is also made from VHS cassette tapes. Beavis and Butthead are hilarious characters and Marc Johnson and Jerry Hsu putting themselves onto board graphics like this was awesome. Two incredible skaters, two incredible boards that I actually own and have hanging on my wall. Like all my VHS pieces I have to do graphic work to make it work for the engraver. I found large resolutions and the graphics and made them ready for the piece and added the chocolate logo underneath the characters. With my spray paint I tried to somewhat replicate the colors form the boards.