Illustrator and skateboarder Henry Jones, who grew up in Downingtown, received the inspiration for his signature satirical sketches, which have become popular here and in England, from the stories he heard while working at Fairman’s skate shop in West Chester, writes Jason Caines for Vice.

“Working at Fairman’s for five years provided endless material,” said Jones. “I could sit there with my drawing pad, and it would pretty much just play out in front of me.”

Jones’s distinctive scrawling style started to form as he was taking art classes in college, particularly figure drawing classes. He enjoyed their simplicity and how, with just a few lines, he could describe so much.

As his art became more popular, he received commissions to collaborate with a number of skate brands.

Along with Karl Watson, he has also published a well-received children’s book entitled My First Skateboard.

“I don’t think either Karl or I could have anticipated the reception it has gotten so far,” said Jones. “Karl mentioned to me once that he heard someone was bummed that the characters wear helmets, but that’s about the only negative feedback.”

Read more about Henry Jones from Vice here.

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