HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC STYLE?
"My artistic style is bright, colorful illustrations that can appear very playful and nostalgic but usually have deeper, more serious messages. Since most of my work is on social media, I need my art to grab people’s attention and make them stop scrolling.
So many issues we're up against feel extremely overwhelming and sometimes hopeless, so I try to find unique ways to create art around issues that help inform people and make them feel more approachable and shareable. I always try to provide actions people can take or ways to connect to and support people and groups doing the work.
Last year after the news that Roe vs. Wade would be overturned, I felt an overwhelming sense of anger and hopelessness. My community was outraged and wanted to fight back. We turned some of that anger into action and raised over $10,000 for Abortion Funds. I hope to do that with all of my work; use my art to raise awareness online and convert that awareness into real, tangible action in the world."
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC STYLE?
"My artistic style is bright, colorful illustrations that can appear very playful and nostalgic but usually have deeper, more serious messages. Since most of my work is on social media, I need my art to grab people’s attention and make them stop scrolling.
So many issues we're up against feel extremely overwhelming and sometimes hopeless, so I try to find unique ways to create art around issues that help inform people and make them feel more approachable and shareable. I always try to provide actions people can take or ways to connect to and support people and groups doing the work.
Last year after the news that Roe vs. Wade would be overturned, I felt an overwhelming sense of anger and hopelessness. My community was outraged and wanted to fight back. We turned some of that anger into action and raised over $10,000 for Abortion Funds. I hope to do that with all of my work; use my art to raise awareness online and convert that awareness into real, tangible action in the world."
Which resources would you recommend to someone in your community requiring support?
"Everyone needs support, especially these days. I am so fortunate to have found such a supportive community online, predominantly of queer creators. Some community leaders I admire are @BlairImani, an educator dedicated to teaching people about social justice issues with their #SmarterInSeconds series. And @PinkMantaray, a trans athlete and activist who raises awareness about current issues and legislation affecting trans people, hosts workshops and support groups for trans and queer folks and allies."
If you are in need of crisis support, The Trevor Project and Trans Lifeline have crisis peer-to-peer support lines.
Trevor Project Lifeline: (800) 788-7386
Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
Which resources would you recommend to someone in your community requiring support?
"Everyone needs support, especially these days. I am so fortunate to have found such a supportive community online, predominantly of queer creators. Some community leaders I admire are @BlairImani, an educator dedicated to teaching people about social justice issues with their #SmarterInSeconds series. And @PinkMantaray, a trans athlete and activist who raises awareness about current issues and legislation affecting trans people, hosts workshops and support groups for trans and queer folks and allies."
If you are in need of crisis support, The Trevor Project and Trans Lifeline have crisis peer-to-peer support lines.
Trevor Project Lifeline: (800) 788-7386
Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
WHERE DO YOU DRAW INSPIRATION?
"I tend to draw my inspiration from current events. Much of the time, what is happening feels so dark and so massive that it can be overwhelming. To tackle these issues, I try to find a way, through art, to make them feel approachable and actionable.
To be completely honest, I have felt myself fall into a kind of a rut this year, and being able to work on these Docs was a nice change of pace. Most of the art I create is on the computer, so I easily get distracted and wander into parts of the Internet, which can end up in a doom scroll. But working hands-on with the markers on the Docs was really therapeutic (although extremely scary to be working on something as incredible as brand new Docs without an undo button).
That is a really important part of taking care of my mental health, finding activities where I have to completely separate myself from the 24-hour news cycle and my phone and focus on living in the moment. Whether it is hiking or working with my hands, getting out of my head can really help when I feel creatively blocked and can lead to unexpected moments of inspiration."
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST PAIR OF DOCS
"I got my first pair of Docs when I was a teenager, right when my friends and I had just discovered Instagram (at the time, we thought it was a photo editing app). I remember sitting with my friends on the curb, on Melrose, being so excited and taking pictures of our new Docs. We all lived in the Valley side of LA, so driving to Hollywood for our first pair of Docs was a fun adventure. So connecting with Dr. Martens through Instagram is a special full-circle moment for me."
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST PAIR OF DOCS
"I got my first pair of Docs when I was a teenager, right when my friends and I had just discovered Instagram (at the time, we thought it was a photo editing app). I remember sitting with my friends on the curb, on Melrose, being so excited and taking pictures of our new Docs. We all lived in the Valley side of LA, so driving to Hollywood for our first pair of Docs was a fun adventure. So connecting with Dr. Martens through Instagram is a special full-circle moment for me."
What was the inspiration behind the design for DIY Docs?
What are some ways you think we can better support the mental health of LGBTQIA+ people all year round?
"I think one of the biggest ways Docs can offer support is to continue to stand loudly and unwaveringly with the LGBTQIA+ community ALL year long. Many companies pop up in June with empty messages of support, trying to make money from a community while actively donating to anti-LGBTQ politicians that work relentlessly to exterminate the community.
The LGBTQIA+ community is under attack, and we need allies like Docs that support (and pay) queer artists and are dedicated to the community's well-being all twelve months of the year."
What are some ways you think we can better support the mental health of LGBTQIA+ people all year round?
"I think one of the biggest ways Docs can offer support is to continue to stand loudly and unwaveringly with the LGBTQIA+ community ALL year long. Many companies pop up in June with empty messages of support, trying to make money from a community while actively donating to anti-LGBTQ politicians that work relentlessly to exterminate the community.
The LGBTQIA+ community is under attack, and we need allies like Docs that support (and pay) queer artists and are dedicated to the community's well-being all twelve months of the year."
