Interview

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“My background in art primarily revolves around drawing traditionally made pieces of fanart based on my favorite series like Steven Universe and The Amazing Digital Circus while also making original artwork for series I've created such as Wilbert Prisma. My journey in the art world started when I was very young, drawing and making up stories and since 2014, I've picked up the pencil again and have been drawing consistently as a hobby once again!”

What inspires you?

“The things that inspire me are my friends, family, life experiences and the media I consume.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“The themes I pursue are ones that show that even ideas that have been done by other people before that still be interesting because they haven't been done by that one person. And if there's any underlying message in my work, it's that any idea that work if you put your mind to it.”

How would you describe your work?

“I would describe my work as very bold and colorful with flat colors with very little shading, but easy on the eyes nonetheless.”

Which artists influence you most?

“I'm grateful to say that many people have inspired me throughout the years. In no particular order, there's Rebecca Sugar (who created Steven Universe, the show that got me back into watching cartoons after not really doing so for a few years) Rob Renzetti, who created My Life As A Teenage Robot, a show that has a unique 50s-60s art style and stories I related to as a kid and even more so when I actually became a teenager. Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel, who created Smiling Friends, a series that's so chaotic and insane but at the same time, shows that those behind it are genuine animation fans with a sense of humor and love for internet culture that very easily aligns with my own.
Bill Burnett and Larry Huber, who created Chalkzone, a series that literally is about a kid that loves to draw. Luke Pearson, who created Hilda and a setting that is both atmospheric and calm but also exciting and adventurous. Maggie Kang, who directed KPOP Demon Hunters, another piece of media that reminded me on why I love created and how cool it is to show aspects of your culture is such a major way. Keith Chapman, who created Bob The Builder, one of many shows that kickstarted my love for transportation and machines. Curtis Jobling, the character designer for the original stopmotion Bob seasons that gave it such a unique style.
Wilbert Awdry, who created The Railway Series, a children's book series that Thomas The Tank Engine originated from. Britt Allcroft, who adapted Wilbert's books into the TV show we now know as Thomas And Friends, a major staple of my childhood, and Shining Time Station, which brought Thomas to America. Allcroft's charm, unique voice and genuine passion for the craft oozes from these shows and it's very clear she loved doing what she did. David Mitton and Robert Cardona, who worked on Thomas' earliest seasons and would go onto create TUGS, a show about tugboats working in a harbor in the 1920s that played with tone and topics not seen in Thomas. Andrew Cochran, who created Theodore Tugboat, a Canadian series similar to TUGS that Cardona also worked on.”

What is your creative process like?

“My creative process mostly consists of thinking about aspects of my favorite media that don't usually get enough attention or thinking about something about them that I think would be fun to put my own spin on. The same can be applied for my original artwork as there are things about my culture that I think would be fun to shine a light on.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“An artist's role in society, I feel, is to express themselves however they see fit and to bring color and different perspectives in a world that's often very dour and confusing. As time goes on, I can't really see this changing, but perhaps that's a good thing since anyone, anywhere, could use an artist and their work that helps them smile or see clearly on certain situations.”