By Matthew Becerra

Tommy Bohn moves through creativity unforced, instinctive, and always with an eye for something worth capturing. Known for his skate videos, music visuals, and distinctive artwork, Bohn’s artistic journey has been shaped by the friendships he’s built along the way. Whether behind the camera or sketching out a new design, his work reflects a raw, natural energy that stems from a lifetime of skating and documenting the culture surrounding it.

From Florida to New York: His Path

Born in New Jersey but raised in Orlando, Florida, Bohn’s early years were filled with the usual activities of a suburban kid—playing sports, going to school—but everything shifted when he picked up a skateboard.

“Once I got into skating, that kind of took over,” Bohn recalls. “My friends and the whole skating friend group kind of brought me up.”

Skateboarding quickly became more than just a hobby. It was an introduction to a world of creative expression, from the physicality of learning tricks to the visual storytelling of skate videos.

Among the friends he made through skating was Willie, better known as 454. Their connection started in the early days, long before music became a serious pursuit. “I didn’t meet 454 right when I started skating, but once I started learning tricks, filming, and taking it seriously, that’s when I met him,” Bohn explains.

His passion for skateboarding soon expanded into documenting it. A pivotal moment came when a friend, Jesse, handed him a VX camera at the skatepark.

“That was it for me,” Bohn remembers. “That was a wrap. I was hooked.”

The moment he filmed his first clip, he realized how much he loved capturing the energy and movement of skating. That initial spark led him to see skate videos in a new light—not just as records of tricks, but as artistic projects in their own right. From then on, he was as focused on filming as he was on skating itself.

The Evolution of Creativity: From Skate Videos to Music Visuals

Music Video for Bubba Baby/Caleb Barnett shot by Bohn

For Bohn, creativity has never been confined to a single medium. His work in videography, design, and illustration all stem from a genuine love for making things.

Before he was filming or working on album art, he was drawing. “When I was a kid, before I even got into skating, I was really into drawing and art,” he says. “But once I got into skating, everything else kind of took a backseat.”

Skateboarding, however, brought his artistic interests full circle. His involvement in filming naturally extended into other visual projects. “My friends started making music, and they needed cover art,” Bohn explains. “It just happened. It brought my love for drawing back in a way that felt organic.”

Artwork for 454’s Casts of a Dreamer done by Bohn

His relationship with 454 and Niontay (Tay) is a prime example of how these creative collaborations developed.

“It really all just stemmed from skateboarding and making skate videos,” he says. “It was never planned.”

What started as casual filming sessions evolved into shooting music videos and creating graphics for album covers. Working with friends made the process seamless—Bohn understood their aesthetics and knew how to visually represent their music in a way that felt true to them.

Style and Influence: Comics, CD Covers, and Collabs

Bohn’s distinctive art style is rooted in nostalgia, yet feels undeniably fresh. His inspirations range from old-school comic books to vintage CD artwork.

“Definitely old vintage comics, comic book covers, even old CD art,” he says. He also credits his friends as major influences. “454 definitely plays a part too—he’ll show me references and be like, ‘Yo, this is dope, check this out.’”

Beyond personal relationships, New York itself has been a huge source of inspiration. Bohn originally moved there in 2017 with a group of friends, including 454.

“We just wanted to switch it up, skate different spots, film different videos,” he says. But after a year, he moved back to Florida—only to return in 2020. That second move back proved pivotal, coinciding with 454’s rise in music and the expansion of their collaborative efforts.

"On My Grind"

Bohn’s skate video On My Grind is a reflection of his organic process. The video, which features skaters like Chucky Lane alongside 454 and Niontay, wasn’t meticulously planned—it was the result of years of stacking clips from casual sessions.

Bohn’s Video “On My Grind”

“We probably had plans to put that out two years ago, but the process always takes longer,” he admits. “Some of the footage is from 2022.”

The editing process followed the same instinctive approach. “I kind of edited it a week before I dropped it,” he says. “Once I figure out the music, that’s when it’s on.”

Music selection plays a crucial role in his work. “I wanted something different—something I actually enjoy listening to.”

His approach to filming skaters is equally relaxed.

“I’m always down to go back and get a trick if the skater wants it, but I’m not the type to pressure someone into landing something,” he says. That mindset was evident while filming Niontay’s heel flip crook in On My Grind.

“We went back to that spot three or four times. He still wasn’t happy with how he did it, but it was such a crazy clip that I had to use it.”

Freelance Hustle and The Future

Transitioning to a full-time freelance career wasn’t easy, but for Bohn, it was worth the risk. “I had a steady job in Florida, a car, all that. Moving back to New York meant giving that up,” he says.

Image of Bohn after moving to New York via Bohn

He worked warehouse jobs in the coffee industry before finally making the leap to full-time freelance work about eight months ago. “It’s tough, but I’d rather be a little more broke and happy doing what I love.”

Now, Bohn is constantly working on something, whether it’s for his friends, or independent projects. He also has plans to build his own brand, though he admits collaborations currently take up most of his energy. “That’s something I’m definitely trying to work on growing,” he says.

Documenting a New Era

Skating, music, and art have always been intertwined, but Bohn finds himself documenting a cultural shift. The scene that emerged post 2010’s skating is evolving.

Video of a concert with MIKE Navy Blue & Niontay shot by Bohn

“I don’t think about it in the moment, but I’ll see comments saying, ‘Yo, this is a monumental moment.’ It makes me realize I should appreciate it more.”

For Bohn, the key is staying authentic. “I just go with my gut and do what I love—whether or not it gets good feedback,” he says. “I’m not thinking about what’s trending. I’m thinking, ‘Me and my friends are going to think this is cool.’ That’s all that matters.”

Vlog of Paris shot by Bohn

In an era where many are chasing the algorithm, Tommy Bohn is just moving naturally. And that’s what makes his work resonate.

Tommy Bohn: The Art of Moving Naturally