Selected Projects

Project Details

I designed this hat in collaboration with BMO Harris and the Chicago Bulls, curated by All Star Press. The hat was released on Dec 30, 2022 to an audience of over 20,000 attendees. Only the first 5000 attendees had the opportunity the acquire the hat free of charge at the door. All remaining inventory was made available only when purchasing the full set of five in the Chicago Artist Hat Series. With reselling sites such as eBay being the only available option to acquire one individually.

Inspiration + Process

My goal was to draw inspiration from various vintage hats, utilizing a soft cream color to evoke the sense of natural deterioration over time. I aimed for a more chaotic interpretation of the iconic Chicago Bulls logo while ensuring that I maintained the determined expression of the striking red bull. Initially considering a corduroy pattern for its texture, I ultimately opted for a smooth black suede on the bill to better enhance the cartoonish elements of the overall design. The key component was to include part of the creative process directly on the bill, preserving the initial drawing through a high-quality scan to commemorate and celebrate the design journey.

Project Details

These two cornerstone murals were commissioned by Soho House Chicago through The Arte Haus, and they were both completed over the course of an intense and focused two days.

This experience marked my first time painting anything beyond the traditional canvas, and it was accomplished through two rigorous sets of 12-hour shifts filled with continuous painting, resulting in not only a sense of achievement but also an honorable sunburn as a testament to my dedication.

On July 23, I had the opportunity to hold an artist talk about the murals. During this discussion, I delved into my creative process and shared the inspirations that guided me throughout. Revisiting topics surrounding the childhood memory based concepts I chose. Explaining how cartoon influenced imagery not only shaped my artistic style but also my approach to overcoming obstacles in the medium of mural painting.

Thoughts Behind the Process

Creating "Pop Fly" underscored the importance of maintaining a humble approach in artistic endeavors. While it's easy to become caught up in the pride of one's abilities or accomplishments, the real beauty of this piece came from a willingness to listen to the environment and let it guide the process. Each moment of inspiration, whether derived from the subtle shift in light or the fleeting interplay of colors, required a measured response rather than an overconfident assertion of technique.

Striking the right balance between confidence and humility is needed when creating. The organic, instinctual adjustments made during the crafting of the work reflect an understanding that art is not solely a product of skill but also of awareness and responsiveness to one's surroundings. This realization can be a reminder to all artists that the journey of creation thrives best when fueled by an openness to experience and a readiness to adapt, rather than a rigid adherence to preconceived notions of what the final outcome should be.

Sadly, I didn’t have my tripod to record the process of “Pop Fly”. Luckily on day two, I came prepared. “Trouble Ahead” below.

Watch “Trouble Ahead” Time Lapse