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THE Bulldog Interview (cont.)

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LUSH: Tell me about BDS - what's happenin' there?

WH: It's going really well. Ray (Flores) & I had been doing a few decks, we started Bulldogs Art & Skateboard Designs about 6 years ago. Back in May (2002), Foz (Rich Fosmire) came in and infused some cash in to the company and really bumped the activity up a few notches. Ray is very involved - I'm doing all the creative work and have free reign to do so. We put Ray in the booth at the trade shows - he's the mouthpiece, I'm a little quieter and laid back. It works well.

Working on 'em...secret workshop photos

LUSH: Are you pleased with the reaction to this new company?

WH: Definitely. Stoked! The old school scene is more than a nitch - it's growing, there continues to be an upsurge. BDS is all about putting quality product out there in the marketplace - we're getting all our decks from a single producer, using my specs and molds. Decks, wheels, even the shirts, hats and posters are ALL top notch.

LUSH: Any plans to do more of the limited edition / collectors decks? ( *a run of 50 each hand numbered & signed decks have been produced - South Side Cross (*sold out*) & Sabertooth...a few available... - plus a current run of 2 / OG 10" X 30" flat pig decks with custom die-cut Jessup grip tape with prismatic foil underlay)

Sabertooth Ltd. Edition

WH: Sure - more coming. The strategy is slow, we will not produce a bunch and flood the market. Plan is for each Team member to have a very limited run of hand signed / numbered decks. I'm concentrating on my art - quality keeps coming up and that's what we're about.

Wes' Personal Stash

LUSH: Speaking of art, where do you get ideas for graphics?

WH: Lots of places - I like Griffin, Geiger - things just catch my eye. Tattoo, hot rods, bike mags�I draw everything by hand in blackline, then scan it in. I add the color by airbrush on the computer, I've got a tablet and stylus hooked to my Mac.

LUSH: How did you make the transition from hand drawn to computer?

WH: I went to work for Upper Deck (sports card manufacturer) in QC (quality control), I was in printing for 20+ years. They showed me what they wanted, I said 'no sweat', they gave me a job - then they moved me to production. I became proficient in Photo Shop there. Later, I got laid off - they told me that I was one of the only ones that had a chance to make it�I said 'thanks - and fuck you�', took my 410IK money and shaped then screened a few decks with Ray. Had to pay the bills, ya' know�