“Not every day is good, but there’s something good in every day” is a saying I’ve been trying to live by for the duration of 2020. Amidst all the chaos this year has thrown at us, it’s easy to get down on yourself and be stuck in a rut. One thing that’s helped me stay inspired is finding creativity wherever I can, and that’s exactly the case when I happened to stumble upon Spencer Owens and his Instagram page.
His range of work displayed on his Instagram and website really gave me new energy. From paintings, graphic design artwork, and even action figure renditions of some of my favorite music artists made me an instant fan. I immediately knew I had to reach out to him and do my due diligence in getting more eyes on his work. Spencer was gracious enough to connect with me via email as part of my quarantine edition interviews. We got to chop it up a bit about his background, his interests, and what you can expect from him. Read our full conversation below!
Who are you, and what do you do for fun?
My name is Spencer Owens. I’m a graphic designer/artist from Southern California. I think I’m lucky enough to have the lines blurred between what I do for fun and what I do for work. But aside from that, I’m usually trying to find new music, collecting vinyl, spending time with good people, watching a cooking show, or a hockey game.
When did you first get into doing the art that you do? What got you started initially?
I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a kid. I think as children, we’re all allowed to scribble and get our hands in some paint for a few years but we’re not all encouraged to continue unfortunately. I don’t think I was inherently good at art but I had the encouragement from my parents and peers to keep going. I was always pretty bad at drawing people so I challenged myself to portray some of my favorite artists through digital portraits or paintings. That’s where I’m at currently, using the people that inspire me as models essentially.
You’ve done portraits, hockey jersey designs, and even action figures! What are some of your favorite projects that you’ve done so far?
The portraits have been great because they started as an experiment and a way to practice portraiture. I was just happy people were into them so I really enjoy those. The jerseys were fun — I’ll take any excuse to mash two of my favorite things together! Those were mockups for actual jerseys I was planning to make but manufacturing has been halted along with the rest of the world so I’m bummed about that. One day soon, hopefully.
But I think the action figures would be my favorite. They feel like the next step I was looking for. They stemmed from the portraits I was doing, feeling sort of two dimensional and wanting to portray people on another plane. I had to step away from the laptop screen for a minute and actually get my hands on something. It involves a little bit of everything I love doing. From the package design and layout, sculpting with clay — which is completely foreign to me — and painting. Again, I try to learn or take myself out of my comfort zone and I feel lucky when people respond positively to it.
I hope you’ve been safe and healthy during quarantine. How are you keeping busy during this time?
Oh boy, quarantine has been a test. But it’s been full of opportunity also! As a freelance artist, I actually feel fortunate in the position I’m in. Quarantine has shown me that you can’t shut down art. I think everyone needs it, possibly more so now than ever. People are eager to start up their own projects, explore their passions and interests, and I’m able to do the same while helping others with their new endeavors. That has been a bright spot through all of this, seeing people pursue what they may not have had the time to go after until now.
But every day I try to take an hour to sit at my turntables and DJ for my dog Metta.
It must be really cool making what you want and getting recognized by the artists for your work. I see you’ve gotten praise from artists like Anderson .Paak and Theophilus London. Could you take us through the process of making an action figure for someone like Theophilus?
Again, I feel beyond lucky. To have these opportunities to meet or be recognized by the people I’m inspired by. It’s actually insane to me! I think about a year ago my manager was contacted by Kanye after he saw the 808s action figure I made of him and that was when I really realized I might be on the right path. He’s been one of my biggest inspirations as far as creativity goes so needless to say I geeked out just knowing I was on his radar. These are the same people I would listen to on my lunch break at Trader Joe’s. To look back on that time and see where life has taken me is wild.
So Theophilus London was actually working on a track with Kill Nigel that my friends Wes Period and OTXOA were producing, and I got a message from Theo on Instagram one night asking if I could make him an action figure. We chopped it up for a bit and discussed the look of the action figure, landing on the Vibes! Era Theo. Amazing album by the way! “Can’t Stop” has to be one of my favorite records of all time. That song will get me out of any bad mood. I would send him updates on the figure here and there, and his reactions would crack me up in the best way. My favorite was “HOLY SH*T LETS GOOOOO!”
Theo was nothing but kind to me and had me over at his place to deliver the action figure once I had finished it. Good dude. Hope to work with him again in the future.
Do you sell your artwork or any merch? How can the people support you?
Every now and then I’ll put out some prints of my work. Currently, I’m selling prints of a handful of paintings I made and $10 of each print is going to help the people of Lebanon. Those will be available as long as they need to be, as long as we can help the Lebanese community. I’m selling those through my Instagram, if people would like to purchase one they can just message me and I’ll send them out.
Also since quarantine, I started a brand called Dotcalm. It began as a way to get out some ideas with the intention of making a zine from the photos I’ve been taking over the last few years here and there, in the studio, at shows, and on tour with my friend Luis who makes music under the name Mystery Skulls. But it has naturally evolved into merch collaborations with the people close to me. So far we’ve dropped Dotcalm x Wes Period and Floyd Zion pieces which are no longer available but keep an eye on Dotcalm for what’s to come!
What music are you listening to right now? Who are your favorite music artists or albums that have been in your rotation lately?
“Afterlife” by Flatbush Zombies and James Blake has been on repeat. James Blake has to be my favorite artist and I’m always playing his albums all the way back to the CMYK EP. His sound is from another planet. But what he’s done with artists like Kendrick, Frank Ocean, and Travis Scott sounds like the future to me. That guy is a magician.
I was recently put on to LNDN DRGS and I’ve had the Affiliated album on repeat. Thank you, Miranda!
But I try to listen to everything. My constants besides everyone I just named are OutKast, Toro Y Moi, Mystery Skulls, Sister Sledge, Jungle, Tyler, Stevie Wonder, Parliament, Phony Ppl, Kendrick, Steve Lacy, the whole Brother Smack crew – Kennedy Hollows, Crsmilano, Elyzr, Mash… those guys are onto something special.
Are there any new projects you’re working on for the rest of 2020? Do you have any plans for your art in the future that you might be able to share with us?
I think I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing and welcome whatever opportunities come my way. I feel like it’s always changing so it’s hard to gauge what that will be. I’m currently working on something that I’m pretty excited about but can’t really talk too much about. I’ll just keep it at that until it happens and then I’ll be able to spill the beans.
The fun of freelance life is never knowing what’s around the corner so I just have to keep going and put it out there for people to see.
Thanks so much for taking the time to do this! Is there anything else you’d like to add or tell the people out there?
Thank YOU! I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to ramble for a bit.
I’d tell people to just be good to each other, we could all use a little more good in our lives. Create if you have even the smallest urge to do so. Go pick up a pencil or some paints and get to it. Art is a muscle and it just takes practice. We aren’t born with skill — just trust your taste and make what you want!
And if there’s anyone that finds some inspiration from reading this, then I’ll consider that a win.
Stay up-to-date on what Spencer has going on by following him on Instagram here.
You can also check out his work on his website here.
