
Welcome to our Little Artist Series, a little blog where we take a deeper dive into the art and artists we love dearly.Ā
First up: San Diego based artist, Philip Tseng!
Philip and Jason met through a mutual friend at San Diego Comic Con a million years ago. Since then, theyāve kept in touch and even participated in the same art exhibits in pop art galleries in Los Angeles, CA. Philip has the ability to turn any object into something cute and huggable. Itās a skill for which he makes appear effortless. Around the time we met, Philip was an active member of the Threadless community. A community which a lot of artists, like Philip, built a following and a portfolio of work which could be found on t-shirts, art prints, phone cases and now pins!
Instagram: @pilihpĀ Ā Website: minicubby.com
Phil, (I donāt think Iāve ever actually called you Philip, unless I say your entire name) you were one of the first people for whom weāve collaborated! Thank you for trusting us to turn your 2D illustrations into 3D pins. When we first had the idea of doing artist collaboration pins, we immediately knew that your artwork was something we wanted to wear. So we thank you for being an awesome artist, collaborator and overall cool dude. That being said, letās get to it!
LSoP: For those who are being introduced to you for the first time, can you give a little background on you?
Phil: Yeah, when you call me Philip, I feel like Iām in trouble. Everyone calls me Phil. Itās easier. Thanks for asking me to do collaborations with you guys. Itās been cool to see my designs as pins.
So, my name is Phil and Iām an illustrator here in sunny San Diego, CA. Iāve been an illustrator for over 16 years. I like to draw silly pictures of food and put faces on them and make them do punny things. When Iām not doing that, Iām an UI (User Interface) Artist for a mobile game studio. And I have a dog named Oreo. Sheās more popular than me.Ā
LSoP: Walk us through your process. How do you come up with these silly images? In a dream? On a walk with your dog, Oreo?
Phil: I get inspired by random things throughout the day. Something weird someone said or a slice of pepperoni pizza. Iāll doodle the idea on paper and work on it later on the computer. I did once have an epic dream and woke up in the middle of the night to sketch it.
LSoP: Weāre huge fans of you, your work and your dog, Oreo. Are there artists out there who inspire you, both artistically and creatively?Ā
Phil: Aww thanks. Iām a fan of yours too. I follow a bunch of artists on Instagram and Iām always blown away (and secretly jealous) by their art and creativity. Thereās my friend Alex Solis (@alexmdc), Andrew Kolb (@kolbisneat), Chris Lee (@thebeastisback), Dan Hipp (@danhipp), Heikala (@heikala), Matt Kaufenberg (@mattkaufenberg), and David DePasquale (@davidadepasquale) just to name a few.Ā
LSoP:Ā TGIF (I <3 Fridays Killer Cutie) was the pin that sparked the Killer Cuties Series. You have the ability to make the most horrific killers adorable and cuddly. If you were trapped in a house with one of the killer cuties, who would it be? Ā
Phil: Hm, I think I would pick Freddy (because heās so ādreamyā) to be trapped together in a house. We would watch a movie on Netflix and fall asleep midway through on the couch.Ā
LSoP: Now that weāre spending an abnormal amount of time indoors, do you find it easier or more difficult to stay creative?
Phil: Ā Itās been a rollercoaster ride. Iāll have a period where Iām struggling to think of something creative and everything is blah. Then the next week, Iām totally inspired by something I watched on TV and Iām doodling on my iPad while Iām supposed to be paying attention in a video conference call for work.Ā Ā
LSoP: Whatās going on around you while you create? Do you listen to music? Put on a movie or tv show? What are you viewing/listening to these days?Ā Ā
Phil: I usually have Spotify playing or have the TV playing in the background. The Food Network or HGTV are my go to channels when Iām working. I canāt put on a movie. Iāll just end up watching it instead of working. Oreo is usually napping next to me or running around with her treat ball.
LSoP: Whatās next? Is there anything lined up for you in the near future? Whatās your dream project?
Phil: I have a project that Iām waiting to hear back from, so fingers crossed. Maybe some pin collabs? Otherwise, itās a pretty chill summer. Dream project would be doing something with Disney, Target, or toys. It would be neat to make toys from my characters.Ā
LSoP: Hopefully one day weāll be able to work together on a dream project! Thank you for taking the time to chat with us and let us pick your brain (mmmā¦.brains). We look forward to checking out your Instagram for more photos of Oreo...and other awesome artwork you create!
Be sure to check out Phil's other work on his website and his process videos on his Instagram! They are super cool and as always, SO ADORABLE!Ā