We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful PHOBIK. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with PHOBIK below.
Hi PHOBIK, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
Practice. It’s pretty tough in the times we are living in, optimism can be abundant when you switch your perspective and start having gratitude for the daily things in our lives like a home, food and health. Appreciating the opportunity to be able to do what i do everyday has been a small slice of optimism that in dark times has kept me going. But also knowing that everything is temporary.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Hello again. 😎
I’m Phobik. I am an Artist born and raised in Hollywood, CA. I’ve been grinding in the paint for over 10 years. Throughout the years I’ve painted and illustrated in different styles but I developed a love for classic animated cartoons during the 2020 Covid Pandemic. After quarantine was over, I realized how much I was painting cartoon cats. In retrospect I think it also might have been what I was feeling and what I was seeing during that period. Going out for our daily essentials and food to empty streets and barely spotting a few people in the distance. It really felt like we were all moving like stray cats on a hunt, it resonated.
Obviously the freedom of hitting up a couple of walls so openly was awesome. After talking with other artist friends about that time period it seems like we preferred a ghost town. Fast forward to now, I have completely dove into these cartoon cats. I’ve illustrated them to resemble friends and incorporate them into snapshots I’ve taken. I also collaborated with talented photographer friends Oginee Viamontes (@ogv.photography) and Enrique Gonzalez (@blownkillabee).
The goal now is to expand on it. Dip into every space from vinyl toys to NFT projects. I’m moving forward, experimenting, growing, & evolving. I also have my shop I’m constantly adding more of my art, stickers, merch, and small series drops. Check it out(www.phobikart.com)
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Patience is really important in my line of work. When working on my goals I take my time. Whether it’s completing a piece or waiting for my next project. Having clarity to finish a task and not force or rush the process was difficult at first but once I started practicing patience things worked out for the best. Perspective comes in second. Having a different perspective and being able to see things from other angles has helped me out. It allows me to pay attention to the details. I’m an over thinker so I can see things from different possibilities, concepts, colors, gestures and situations in my head pretty fast. Illustrating something with a gesture or object and drawing from memory takes a lot of skill and experience. Artists do this all the time.
Gratitude is third. I’m grateful for the opportunities art has given me. Meeting so many artists and people while sharing and relating to them through art has been great. Definitely one of the greatest things in my life.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I’m always open to collaborate if the project feels right. Anywhere from furniture, photography, music or gallery shows etc. are areas I’m always open and interested in.
To all creatives reading this, give me a follow on social media and check if the vibes match. Sometimes connections don’t happen right away but you won’t know if you don’t try.
@phobikgod –
Contact Info:
- Website: www.phobikart.com
- Instagram: Phobikgod
- Twitter: Phobikgod
Image Credits
@ogv.photography @blownkillabee @n8noface @deadcity_mike @streetartfocus
