Introduce yourself.
I’m Isa! I’m 27 and live and work in Los Angeles but I’m originally from Solana Beach. I’m still trying to figure out a simple way to explain what I do. Mainly, I run an online store (www.gentlethrills.com), work with brands on artwork, live events, and small projects.
What is your preferred medium?
Drawing! Anything on paper. I spend a lot of time airbrushing but that’s only because it’s like drawing, but more versatile.
What was the inspiration behind the designs you created for DIY Docs?
I wanted to play up the adjectives that come to mind for me when I think about vintage Docs culture and the people who have been wearing them for decades. I always see Docs-wearers as fearless, bold, colorful, and strong. I threw in some tattoo-style flash imagery but kept it true to my own aesthetic and let it get a little bit clown-y.
Our campaign Tough As You celebrates Docs wearers' resilience; the times we faced setbacks but held firm and bounced back. Can you tell us about a time when you were resilient?
Being a working artist requires a lot of discipline, energy, patience, and radical acceptance, and it’s hard to keep all four of those things in ample supply at the same time. Every day there are small (and sometimes big) moments when I have to be brave and optimistic in spite of uncertainty!
