Michael Sieben, Sieben, Siebs, Mr. S., or just plain old Michael (or whatever he signs off on his emails that day), has been a contributor to Vox for quite a while. He's done some of our most recognizable graphics, not to mention his work for Thrasher, Bueno, Roger, Volcom and adidas. And that's just the skateboarding stuff. He also keeps his feet firmly planted in the art world with paintings, illustrations, and gallery shows. It's been awesome working with him over the past few years and I look forward to many more in the future. Thanks for everything Siebs, skateboarding needs dudes like you. - Nate


What got you into skateboarding and art? Which came first in your life?

Drawing came first. I've been into drawing since I was a little kid. I started skateboarding in 1986. All my friends and I were into riding our bikes at the time and I remember going to a kid's house and he had a little quarterpipe in his driveway and a NASH Executioner board. After taking a few rolls on it I pretty much quit riding my bike. From then on out I was strictly Thrashin' vs. Freestylin'.

Who or what are your main influences artistically and in skateboarding?

Artistically I'd say Jim Henson, Maurice Sendak, and Pushead. In Skateboarding I'm probably most influenced by my friends that I skate with. Rampy Boyz!

What have been some of your favorite projects to work on outside of skateboarding?

Probably working on my dance moves or my hairdo.

Serious studio (mediocre haircut) portrait. Photo: Sandy Carson

Do you prefer one medium or type of project over another?

I just like to stay busy. I get bored if I'm doing the same thing day after day so I try to work on a variety of projects. T-shirt graphics, skateboard graphics, painting, drawing, watching movies, dancing in my kitchen while drinking coffee.

You’ve been helping out with graphics here at Vox for a few years now, not to mention working for Thrasher, Volcom, helping run Okay Mountain Gallery and Roger Skateboards, among other things. How do you find time to get everything done?

I just do everything really half-ass. I think I've used that joke before. Really I just make tons of lists and try to cross everything off of them. This goes back to getting bored super easily. I just like to stay busy and see how many skulls I can put out there before the novelty wears off.

Left to right: "Mary" graphic, 2006. "Fedora" graphic, 2007.

The next few questions feature my amateur interview technique called “hypothetically speaking”…If you would have never been introduced to skateboarding and art, what do you think you’d be doing with your life?

Cage fighting.

Skateboarding can be pretty weird at times. If you could change one thing about it, what would it be?

My salary.

R.I.P. Banana Farm.

If you could only skate one spot for the rest of your life with one mix tape, 2 living beings, and one bottomless cooler of beer what would they be?

C-Fan ditch, I'd get my buddy Mike Aho to make the mix tape. I guess since I asked Mike to make the mix tape I should probably invite him to the session too... along with Switchie G and a cooler of Lone Stars since they're delicious. Can we get a gallon of water thrown in there?

Left to right: "Worship" graphic, 2008. "Mantra" graphic, 2008.

Mini ramp question- It’s a Saturday afternoon, JFA is blasting, the session is getting heated, what’s the go to maneuver on the mini ramp?

Sadly the rock to fakie.

How To Do A New Trick: Basically take the only
two tricks you know how to do and smash them together
like a sandwich. Sequence: Lee Brooks.

Anything new coming up we should look out for?

I'm going to try to do a backside noseblunt revert on a parking block in a ditch before I turn 35 this year. Wish me luck.

It's all pretty much just self-portraits.

Check out more from Michael Sieben here:

Michael Sieben
Okay Mountain Gallery
Roger Skateboards
Thrasher Magazine
Volcom