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the artists get compensation for their work. It's really a win-win situation." Derek Hess, Rick Griffin and Stanley Mouse as the three artists inspiring him the most. Prior focuses on customizing boards and images for particular customers. "Since not everyone thinks alike we allow our cus- One of the things that makes art on a snowboard so unique is the context it's appreciated within. "I love living in Whistler and I've found the inspiration of the culture here [and] the surrounding mountains have inspired my art in countless ways," says Petko. Snowboard art tomers to choose from a variety of topsheet options once they have determined board style that is right for them." the "This type of art is studied in a different environment than most other mediums," says Thomson. "Heading up the chair on a winter day, surrounded by nature w i t h time on your hands after a few great r u n s -- t h i s puts you in a great frame of mind to admire the piece of art you're riding on." is especially rewarding for him because he gets to watch others take enjoyment in it. " M y favorite part about the job w o u l d be seeing my art on the mountains. I love watching my art get put to good use." W h a t : A r t m e r g i n g w i t h West Coast s p o r t s t y l e W h o : Prior S n o w b o a r d s Where: www.priorsnowboards.com W h e n : There's a decent base Like everyone w h o appreciates art, snowboarders have very personal and specific Why: " a r t " doesn't have to hang on y o u r w a l l , i t can h a n g o f f y o u r f e e t . . . Dave " P e p e " Petko is one of t h e artists w o r k i n g for Prior. Petko has w o r k e d in several unusual m e d i u m s r a n g i n g f r o m acrylics on wood/canvas to tattooing tastes. Thomson explains that this is why vibrant ink into skin and spray p a i n t i n g wall murals. " I f one looks for my art they can find it anywhere," he says. "From graffiti and body m o d i f i c a t i o n s t o skate and | snowboard images. Ghettos t o museums." Within his range of mediums, Petko shows a | special affinity for creating art for snowboards. For him, the process of painting an | image for a snowboard begins with a sketch. "Sketchbooks are very important," he says, I "[you should] capture the thought or idea at the moment it occurs. Much like snowboarding through an untouched field of powder, | this is where you leave your first mark." Petko then looks through his sketchbook for an image or part of an image and begins to paint it, adding a background environment as the character nears completion. "I find inspiration in nature, in the mountains, in dark and stormy nights, in street people, and in other art and artists," he says. He lists