Art&Design
Bold designs inspired by my love of band tees
Growing up in the early 2000’s, I was heavily entrenched in the emo and scene culture. Not only did I have a helmet of hair perfectly sculpted into an weightless orb, but band tees were my staple item. And band merch back then was as weird as I’ve ever seen it. It was filled with bright and wacky creatures that had nothing to do with the music they represented. But I loved it, I ate up every piece I could afford.
Now, I’ve ditched the color due to screen printing limitations, but the inspiration is still ever present. At least to me.
These pieces are some of my favorites I do. I love losing myself in fine line details. Cross hatching my values in, one repetitive element at a time. It’s my form of peace and serenity (but not for my wrists). Wacky monsters have been substituted for real animals that exist in our oceans, but are just as wacky and monstrous. It’s my little way of showcasing the diversity of life on our planet, for those out there who have the same sentimental value to graphic tees as I do.
Colorful Cephalopod Illustrations
My art has been inspired by octopus, squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus (cephalopods) since I was a child. Cephalopod doodles take over every homework assignment and sketchbook I’ve ever had. It’s quite funny looking back, I never would have imagined I’d become a teuthologist, but it feels very fitting.
Every month, I draw a different species of cephalopod and release them for my monthly sticker club. These designs are full color and all together showcase the incredible diversity within Cephalopoda. I’ve compiled them here as posters that will later be released for sale in my store.
A CLEAR FOCUS ON ANIMALS
My style has changed and evolved plenty over the years. By far the most interesting observation is I’ve almost completely ditched humans. During high school, when I felt I reached a peak in my artist skills, I was only drawing people. My AP Studio Art portfolio was riddled with them, despite my theme being environmental.
But it was AP Studio Art that finally burnt me out. 3 years of making a new painting almost weekly, I never wanted to pick up a paint brush again. And I didn’t until two years later. When I finally returned to art, all I wanted to draw was animals. Realistic animals, silly animals, cartoon animals, metal animals, the inspiration never runs out. It was a switch I welcomed, and the reason art has managed to stay a persistent force in my life.
