Hudson “Toonie” Toon is a nineteen year old emerging artist born and raised in Houston, Texas. His whole life he has always loved to draw, sketch, and illustrate, but what initially began as doodles has evolved into so much more.
How did you get into art?
My whole life I’ve always loved to draw, sketch, and illustrate. I’d draw my family, friends, teachers, strangers, and sketch/doodle every free second I had. Growing up I enjoyed the works of Dr. Seuss, Tim Burton, Jeff Kinney, and caricature artists; all who have become inspirations in the artwork I create now. Over the years my hobby turned into a real passion that has led me to find my own unique style. My love for art, aesthetics, and the unique way art can make you feel has driven me to work towards building my career in the art industry. What initially began as doodles has evolved into so much more.
How would you describe your style? What makes your work special?
My work consists of characters, cartoons, bold lines, doodles, and vibrant colors. My work reflects reality by challenging and acknowledging the various cultural issues, differences, and problems that exist in our world today. My artistic style combines elements of pop art, surrealism, abstract, and expressionism, resulting in captivating, addicting, and emotionally resonant pieces. There’s a lot of comfort, contrast, and irony in my pieces. My work is new, creative, and original. My goal as an artist is to create artwork that leaves a lasting impact on viewers, provoking thought and evoking emotions.
How do you go about developing your work?
All of my work/pieces begins with sketching and doodling. I put my thoughts to paper and come up with an idea. I then plan everything out from the medium and canvas size to the materials and colors I’m going to use. I enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things, which helps me broaden my creativity and develop my skills as an artist.
Who or what influences you?
I find inspiration and influence in everything. From the moment I get up to the moment I go to sleep there's inspiration everywhere. In my pieces you can see a lot of influence from culture, ideas, experiences, music, and people. Having a wide variety of influence has allowed me to gain new perspectives and grow creatively. Having a lot of subjects that influence me allows me to challenge my artistic boundaries, create work that is both meaningful and diverse, and connect with audiences on a deeper level.
Make us curious. What are you planning to do next?
I’ve always been an independent artist, but I’m currently talking to multiple galleries to represent and showcase my art throughout the country. I’m also in the process of working on more clothing and skateboards which will drop soon. There’s so many things in store for me and my work in the near future, and I’d love for you to be apart of this journey.
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