Artist Spotlight: Ninjaink
Every Wednesday for the next few weeks, we'll feature an exclusive interview with one of our top artists. This week, meet Ninjaink!
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What inspires your work?
I enjoy mashups, satire, and parody. As a child I was always amused by comedy skits and impersonators, and I think that grew with me into adulthood. Mashups are a visual humor shorthand: the joke is in the way one property blends into another. I also love studying art styles that have achieved cultural familiarity or are trending in certain circles.
What’s your creative process when creating a new design?
I collaborate with my creative consultant and he helps me with the layout and working on how visuals will look like. It’s important for me that an idea isn’t just good for me: I want an honest opinion that someone else who will be a tough critic will agree that the design can be pulled off.
How would you describe your design aesthetic/style?
I guess “chameleonic?” That’s the way i09 described it a few years ago. Being self-taught, I’ve had to learn by essentially emulating other people’s styles. Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. :)
Where’d your name come from?
An Asian comedian came to town one day and asked the audience, "Where my ninjas at?!" He was referring, of course, to other Asians in the crowd. That was at the same time that I was trying to think of an online handle. So I paired that up with the word "ink" because it sounded cool, much cooler than "NinjaPencil" or "NinjaPastel."
What do you like most about being a designer?
It lets me execute art quickly. I am not much of a sequential artist: I prefer to do standalone pieces of art. Shirt design and cover work allow me to do that.
How did you come into t-shirt design?
It’s a long story but basically I stumbled upon it by accident when someone said that it’d be a good way to actually make money as an artist. :)
What are your favorite two designs of yours?
I’m particularly proud of Armored Maiden since it blends my favorite video game heroine and one of my favorite bands. I also like The Great White Off Amity since it was a piece of work that I thought only I would like – but it turns out a lot of people know their art history!
Do you have a design and/or series you’d like to highlight?
I am a fan of nose art and WW2 art in general, so if anyone wants to check out my Bombshell lineup, that’d be cool.
Are there any current artists in the t-shirt design community that you’re a fan of or collaborate with?
I’m very good friends with a handful, including the Nowlins (Jeremy and Ameda, who are local and go by TrulyEpic and OfficeInk) and Eriphyle (Dora Lerf).
What movies/shows/books/music/podcasts are you really into right now?
I’ve recently started watching anime again. I love the over-the-top, self-referential stuff like Kill la Kill and One Punch Man.
What three things would you bring with you to a deserted island?
A boat, a helicopter, and a very strong radio patched into the Coast Guard.
What is your spirit animal and why?
Probably manatees. They just float around all day, eating, and letting tourists hug them. That’s the life.
What’s your favorite tee you own?
It’s E.T. with an afro and the text, “B.E.T.” I love that shirt so much that I almost never wear it. Plus I want to live.
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