Meet Art Decko

We recently connected with Art Decko and have shared our conversation below.

Art, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I try keep my creativity alive by constantly feeding my imagination, whether that’s with new experiences, visuals, or through interactions. I try to travel as often as I can, even if it’s just locally. I moved to Canada from the UK nearly 6 years ago, and find that there is always somewhere new to explore, someone interesting to talk to, or something new to learn.
Tattoos are another big influence for me—not just the art itself, but the culture, and the personal expression they represent.
I also try to make time to visit galleries, connect with other artists, and stay immersed in the wider art world. I try to visit galleries that don’t necessarily display the same kind of art I make. It’s important to keep an open mind! Last year I visited a couple of interesting galleries in New York State. One was the Kodak museum, a museum dedicated to photography, and one was Artisan Works in Rochester. Both displayed very different styles of art but I came away really inspired about colours and themes.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I paint under the name Art Decko. I first discovered my love for art back in school and it quickly became my favourite creative outlet. I took a break from it while I was at university, but found my way back to it a few years ago, and have been painting consistently ever since.
My journey began with a focus on transforming old, used skate decks into unique pieces of wall art. There’s something incredibly satisfying about giving a second life to objects that have already had a story. Over time, I started experimenting with other surfaces — anything from disused wood panels and offcuts, to canvas and thrifted picture frames. I love the challenge and character that each material brings.
A big part of my practice now includes pet portrait commissions. It’s such an honour to be trusted with capturing someone’s beloved companion!
I really try to bring their personality and spirit to life in the painting. It’s so special to hear the stories behind each animal and to know that I’ve created something meaningful.
In addition to commissions, I also create surreal, often dream-inspired portraiture. These pieces are usually more introspective and personal, influenced by strange dreams or odd moments of thought. I find surrealism a really freeing way to explore ideas and emotions that don’t necessarily have words.
One thing that’s super important to me is working as sustainably as I can. I have a real love for repurposing! I genuinely believe there’s so much beauty in things that have been forgotten or thrown away. That being said, I’m always happy to work on new canvas if that’s what a client prefers. The most important thing is that they’re happy with the final piece!
Ultimately, I just feel incredibly grateful that people connect with my art enough to hang it in their homes or to trust me with a commission. Every piece I make is a labour of love, and knowing that it resonates with someone else is the best part of what I do.
Touching briefly on events, I actually have a solo gallery show coming up next year! Keep an eye on my Instagram page for an announcement.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I would say the three qualities or skills that had the biggest impact on my journey as an artist are curiosity, resourcefulness, and consistency.

1. Curiosity

I’m curious about how things are made, how materials can be reused, and how different ideas can be combined in unexpected ways. That curiosity pushed me to experiment — from painting on skate decks to using thrifted frames and reclaimed wood. It’s also what led me to surrealism, by thinking about subjects that wouldn’t normally be combined.

My advice: Stay curious, and don’t be afraid to try things just to see what happens! Try not to box yourself into one style or medium too early.

2. Resourcefulness

In the beginning (and honestly, still now), I repurposed materials that I could find easily; old decks, scrap wood, thrifted canvasses. It taught me to see potential in things others might overlook, and that approach has become part of my identity as an artist.

My advice: You don’t need fancy tools or expensive supplies to make great art! Start with what you have. Learn how to prep surfaces, mix colours from a limited palette, use different paints to test opacity. You can do a lot with a little!

3. Consistency

My work improved exponentially once I started painting regularly, even when I didn’t feel massively inspired. I would also say that you need to show consistency in your social media/ online presence too! Start with a post a week and try to build an online community if you can – a comment or a share on another artists post makes the world of difference for them, and also makes the algorithm work in your favour too.

My advice: Make art a habit, not just a reaction to inspiration. Join a drawing challenge if you can! It pushes you to be consistent, and it takes out the stress of having to think of your own prompt. It’s also a great resource for making reels/posts/stories if you are using Instagram to promote your work.

Everyone’s journey is different, but these three things made the biggest difference for me. If you can keep developing those, the rest will follow!

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

Ooh this is such an interesting question!
My ideal client is someone who values creativity, trusts the artistic process, and comes to me with an open mind.
I love working with people who come to me with an idea or a feeling they want captured, and then give me the space to interpret it in my own style!
I especially connect with clients who appreciate the use of repurposed materials, and who are drawn to art that’s a little offbeat, weird, or surreal. A sense of humour helps too — I’m always up for weird ideas! Honestly, the weirder the better!
At the end of the day, I work best with people who understand that art is a collaboration, not just a transaction. They’re not just buying a piece, they’re inviting me to tell a story with them, and that’s something I take a lot of pride in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://artdecko.bigcartel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art_decko_
• Other: TikTok – @art_decko_