To celebrate Weinbrenner History month we wanted to highlight the history of others, of those that enable us to have a history to tell, and to the common ground we share as creators. We talked with Cindy Garcia to learn more about what inspired her to start Klunker Boards which is based out of Orange County, CA, and the steps and challenges she had to overcome. Learn more about the hard work and dedication that transformed Cindy from a teen skater, to a woodworking professional.
1. What inspires you to do what you do?
I am inspired by many things, music is a big part of my art. When I am working it's just me and a melody attuned with what is in front of me. There's a lot of passion that comes with building a skateboard from scratch. My skateboards are a blank slab of wood before my hands touch it. During the process, I am connected with every speck of dust that falls on my body and hands. There's a sense of connection formed between my hands and the board and music amplifies the motions I take when shaping and designing a board. The way my hands move gracefully across the wood tracing its eccentric lines inspires me to be in contact with what I want my skateboards to translate to the world.
2. What is your purpose for doing what you are doing?
I grew up riding skateboards as a form of transportation, I'd ride everyday back and from school. My skateboard became part of my identity; it was an outlet to recognize the simplicity and lifestyle I enjoyed. Now as a creator, I am able to translate my passion and build a similar lifestyle for others. When I see people riding my skateboards I am filled with a sense of accomplishment, all my hard work and time is displayed out in the streets, it's a feeling I can't describe, an endless production of creativity and liberation. Everyday I continue exploring new ideas and reimagining what I want my boards to reflect.
3. How do Thorogood boots help you or why do you wear them?
Thorogood boots were the very first boots I chose to work in. They make me feel ready, prepared, and safe. I not only wear them for serious work but also for a sense of style. Thorogood boots defines my personality and gives me a sense of identity along with other creators that understand what hard work and sweat looks like.
4. How did you get started?
I remember having sleepless nights with my mind bombarded with ideas and possibilities. I didn't know how or what I was doing but I knew I had to do it. I started with creating a big vision board filled with pictures and designs that I was inspired by. I then bought the most affordable tools I found from flea markets and spent hours in and out of hardware stores. I read and researched how to use different routers, saws, and sanders and spent endless hours shaping and sanding a slab of wood. My first boards I shaped were questionable, I was eager to learn from professionals how to minimize my time and maximize the quality. I spent a lot of time alone learning from my mistakes but also networked with several people that guided me through the process. It’s not easy building something from the ground up, I had to get out of my comfort zone and take lots of risks but I was addicted to progress and seeing every little tiny effort I put in be part of a big picture kept me going.
5. What struggles have you encountered?
There are many struggles I have encountered, some of them include time, space of production, funding resources; but the biggest struggle I encounter is my own self judgment. My skateboards are all handcrafted from scratch, I value each and every board I create. This makes my product a very sensitive piece of art that many people get to see. Being overly critical of my own work is something that I continuously battle. It is out of my control to satisfy everyone and finding a middle ground could be challenging.