Michelle Kolar
oil paint on canvas, 11 X 14”, 2019
Hermosa beach strand in the 1970s and ’80s bred some monolithic skateboarders one of which was Michelle Kolar, who at the time, couldn't even get her name printed in the press even though she was the Amateur National Freestyle Champion. Without any sponsorship, Michelle would save all her money from her full-time job just to travel to contests where she competed against boys and won! When asked, ”What do you suggest for girls coming up in the sport?” She responded, ”Just practice every day. The best thing to do is just to watch people. See how they’re doing it. Watch their feet, see how their movements are.”
I was inspired to paint Michelle the moment I saw a photo posted of her by her good friend Cindy Whitehead. She and Michelle grew up skating together in Hermosa Beach and still remain friends today. The interview questions and responses from above are excerpted from an interview between Cindy and Michelle back in the day.