Jake Atchison

Photography – Denver

I was born in Tucson, AZ then moved to Osage CIty, KS at age 12. Growing up in the immensely dry climate of Tucson, I was spoiled with great weather 99% of the time. Thus, I was outside as much as possible. Because of this, I believe I gained my respect for the surrounding landscape at a very early age; I remember when my parents first let me ride my bike in the desert behind my house without supervision. The world was mine, endless scouring of the dry dirt beneath my tires. No boundaries, open, free, one with the wild wild Earth. When I turned 12, my parents had an opportunity to purchase a local hardware store in my dads hometown (Osage City). They left the decision to move up to my brother and I. We went for it. Talk about culture shock. But to this day, I am proud to say I grew up in the plains of Kansas. I have learned a lot about myself creatively. Finding beauty in the simple things, and finding my path as an artist. I began skateboarding in 8th grade and my world was changed. Skateboarding helped open my eyes even more to my surroundings. If you skateboard, you know. I began to look at everything differently. My neighbors stairs that lead up to their front door, a loading dock, a manhole in the middle of the street. Every obstacle I saw, was and is a challenge that I see myself conquering.