Todd Bratrud has been a part of the skateboard art world for quite some time. His horror-flick and Pushead-inspired work have graced many-o-skateboard decks, but the thing that sets Todd apart from the rest is his clever wit—I mean, honesty. After a long stint with Consolidated Skateboards, Todd has found himself in SoCal. He now has a wheel company (Teenage Runaway Urethane) and is currently showcasing the art he’s done for Volcom. Tweakbird and Earthless will be playing his reception tonight. He speaks now to Rita Nadhazy.

Word on the streets is that you moved from the Consolidated warehouse to the Volcom warehouse a while back. How did that happen?
Feels like it a little, but I’m actually just NEAR the Volcom warehouse—in my own warehouse.
You don’t seem like you plotted to become an artist—instead, you seem to have coasted right into it. Was this always your plan?
Kinda—I mean, I hoped something along these lines would work out. I just kept making stupid drawings and kept my fingers crossed.
Do you think that being from Minneapolis inspired your work?
The long cold winters just made me stay inside and draw more, I guess? So not so much inspired as just having nothing else to do?
Your artwork seems to be everywhere these days. Are you feeling like a rock star? How do you deal with the publicity?
Do people consider me a rock star? Because that’s the kinda rock star I would guess I feel like. As far as dealing with publicity, I deal with it the same way I deal with everything in life: don’t leave the warehouse.
What’s one of the happiest things that ever happened in your life?
I guess I should say skateboarding, although I don’t think “happiest” is the best way to put it.
None of the women you illustrate look like stick figures. How do you think you were inspired to draw such voluptuous women?
Midwest winters. So yeah, I guess the Midwest did inspire me a little.
Lizard Girls? Who are they?
Good question—I don’t really know. I should know, shouldn’t I?
What are you up to next?
More of the same. Trying to make “art” and hitting the road.

TODD BRATRUD WITH EARTHLESS AND TWEAK BIRD AT THE VOLCOM STORE, 126 S. LA BREA, LOS ANGELES. 8 PM / FREE / ALL AGES. VOLCOM.COM.