I started to doubt myself. I was like, “oh, maybe I should change careers, because I’m not gonna have any opportunities as an artist.” Then social media came, I started posting every day on Instagram and built a following. That’s what I’ve been doing for the last 10 or 11 years, and it’s been fun!<\/span><\/p>\n I want people to see a message in my work and relate to it<\/p><\/blockquote>\n What are the main sources of inspiration for your work? <\/b><\/p>\n HB:<\/strong> I’m very inspired by what I used to draw as a child, I used to doodle all the time. I have more fun when I’m drawing what I want and don’t worry about making mistakes. I’m also inspired by pop culture, fashion and nostalgia. Pop art plays a big influence in my work and I admire the work of Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kusama and Andy Warhol. <\/span><\/p>\n In saying this, I do feel like my style has changed a lot since I started posting on Instagram. When I first started, I was more inspired by celebrities and pop culture in general. While I still feel inspired by that kind of work now,<\/span> I am more focused on the fact I want people to see a message in my work and relate to it.<\/p>\n What tips do you have for young creators who are starting out their careers? How can they develop their skills?<\/b><\/p>\n HB: <\/strong>Do not listen to your art teachers. Do your own research and find your own art style. You can develop your skills by practicing every day. That will keep you inspired.<\/span><\/p>\n Draw whatever you feel like drawing<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n I feel like, at school, I just learned the basics. When you go to school teachers want to teach you a certain way, they want you to design in a certain way. And they try to tell you, \u201cOh, this is not gonna work in the real world.\u201d Once I finished school, I feel like I had to start over. I had to rediscover who I was as an artist after college.<\/span><\/p>\n Draw whatever you feel like drawing, don’t listen to others and just be yourself. I personally don’t like to plan what I’m going to draw, I just like to draw whatever I’m feeling at the moment and I don\u2019t care about making mistakes.<\/span><\/p>\n Tell us about your favourite medium?<\/b><\/p>\n HB: <\/strong>It all depends on my mood. Sometimes I enjoy working digitally on my iPad and sometimes drawing on paper with markers, pastels, acrylics and colour pencils. I also like to experiment with spray paint.<\/span><\/p>\n I think I’ve always been very colourful. But I’m doing more digital work now than previously. I like to mix digital with paper, markers and other media, and it\u2019s different every time. I think that’s how I stay inspired, the balance means I don’t get bored.<\/span><\/p>\n What motivates you to create?<\/b><\/p>\n HB: <\/strong>Since COVID, like everyone, I spent a lot of time at home. And listening to the news, you know, it was too much for me. <\/span>So I just started to focus more on being positive, like writing positive messages. And I think doing that also helped me to not feel too anxious. I started posting those kinds of messages, and people seemed to like them and they felt like connected to the message. So that’s what I’ve been doing since then.<\/span><\/p>\n Even before COVID, being creative every day became a habit for me because it helped me deal with my anxiety. When I had my full time job at a grocery store, and I was also doing my freelance work on the side, it was too much work for me. I took some therapy, but for me personally, I just feel like it didn’t work. So I started drawing more and this helped me to focus more on the positive side of life. <\/span>Creating new art every day keeps me inspired. It feels like therapy in a way, it makes me feel happy.<\/p>\n When do you feel like your personal style evolved, and how?<\/b><\/p>\n HB: <\/strong>Around four years ago, I was dealing with a lot of stress and I wasn’t very happy with what I was creating – I think that triggered my anxiety more. I decided to slowly change my lifestyle, going to the gym, giving myself more time to breathe fresh air, simple things like that! <\/span>I just started drawing the way I wanted to draw. Not following rules and not listening to others. That’s where I am now, and it feels good to be myself.<\/p>\n I rarely show the process behind my work on my Instagram. I only show the finished artwork. But you know, there’s always a story behind all these drawings and pieces.<\/span><\/p>\n How do you define success as an artist?<\/b><\/p>\n HB: <\/strong>I was thinking about that question a lot. I feel like as an artist, you never feel success and it\u2019s so hard to describe success. Because we’re always creating. And we’re trying to evolve into more of an artist.<\/span><\/p>\n I believe an artist can be successful without pleasing others’ expectations. Success for an artist can be just showing his work to the world, to be seen or heard.<\/p>\n I feel like as an artist, you never feel success<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n How does art and design impact other areas of your life and vice versa?<\/b><\/p>\n HB: <\/strong>Probably finding inspiration and looking for new ideas everywhere I go. I’m always thinking of what I’m creating next. <\/span><\/p>\n Wherever I go, I just find a way to stay connected and get new ideas \u2013 whether that\u2019s a billboard or anything else! Looking at your phone all the time is tiring. You need to get out and look at other stuff.<\/span><\/p>\n What\u2019s your favourite design you\u2019ve created?<\/b><\/p>\n HB: <\/strong>I started doing spray paint drawings last summer, and they were really fun to do.<\/span><\/p>\n You have to work outside with spray paint because the smell is so strong, so now it\u2019s summer again, hopefully I can do more!<\/span><\/p>\n Who are your dream artists\/designers\/brands to collaborate with?<\/b><\/p>\n HB: <\/strong>A dream collaboration would be working on a music related project. Probably designing an album cover, or merch. Music inspires me a lot!<\/span><\/p>\n Where do you see yourself in 10 years?<\/b><\/p>\n HB: <\/strong>Doing the same thing, I hope! I just want to keep making art and work on bigger pieces. I also want to grow my brand – <\/span>I Scream Colour. <\/span><\/i>I\u2019d love to expand my website and sell more. I\u2019m even thinking of creating a colouring book, and some other things like that- I think that will be fun. <\/span><\/p>\n I would also like to see myself working in a bigger studio so I can draw on bigger canvases and experiment more. I love to experiment with spray paint, so yeah, I need a bigger studio for that. I\u2019d also ideally still be living in San Diego, \u2018cause yeah, I like it here.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/everpress.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/IMG_3428-scaled.jpeg\")
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