steve caballero

The artist Vernon Courtlandt Johnson, better known as VCJ, is often credited for this board graphic, even the official Powell Peralta website says so, but it’s not the case. This board graphic was actually made by an unknown artist, as Steve Caballero explains it in the Disposable: A History of Skateboard Art book by Sean Cliver: “An artist at my dad’s work came up with a Chinese dragon that I really liked. […] But it only lasted a year, maybe because it was drawn by someone other than Court”. VCJ actually made his previous and next pro model graphic. The Cab Chinese Dragon was originally released in 1986. First seen in the Powell Peralta Animal Chin video of that same year, this board graphic is probably one of the most iconic ever made. Over the years, it came out in different color patterns with the classic 1980s skateboard shape. But the 2000 model, shown here, remains the only Cab Chinese Dragon made on a popsicle shape. It was also featured in the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series from its second game, as Steve Caballero became a playable character. Dragon board graphics have been synonymous with Steve Caballero throughout his career, one of the reason is because he was born in 1964, the Year of the Dragon.