How did you get into this line of work?

After graduating college, I binged every Video Copilot tutorial I could find and put together a really rough reel. It was enough to get me an internship in NYC at a branding studio. I ended up working there for a few years and eventually burnt out on the commute and hours. To get out from behind a computer I became a background actor and then began working on film sets. Working on films started to fill me with inspiration to start drawing and animate again. After practicing and relearning for a few years I began freelancing again and haven’t stopped since.

What does art mean to you - why is it important and what do you hope to communicate through your art?

For me, art is a connection to the past. I’m attracted to shapes and colours that remind me of my childhood and the art I was exposed to at that time. It fills me with nostalgia and optimism. That feeling is what I try to spread and share.

Are there any common themes present in your work?

The common themes I see are usually nostalgia and optimism.

What makes you feel inspired?

Traveling and visiting galleries.

What three words best describe your art?

Nostalgic, optimistic and colourful.

Do you have any key inspirations?

Some of the artists who inspire me the most are: John Alcorn, Charles Schulz, Sandy Hoffman and Milton Glaser.

What motivates you to keep creating?

The drive to evolve and improve. I’m usually only happy with my work for a day or two. Then I start picking it apart and start finding all of the areas that could have been done better. I guess it’s being a perfectionist.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love that it’s creative and I actually get to practice it every day. I feel unbelievably lucky and grateful to do this full-time.

What is a dream project that you’d love to work on?

I’d love to design a pair of sneakers!

You work with a lot of colour. Would we also find colourful pieces in your wardrobe?

There’s a pretty good amount of colour in my wardrobe. Everything is either red, blue or yellow.

Do you dress casual or formal whilst at work? What are your go-to pieces?

I dress very casually while working. A few years ago, I discovered stretchy clothes and haven’t looked back since, haha. Everything has to have flex in it now. My favourite pieces are my Ampal Creative hat, Nike joggers, flannels and Hawaiian shirts.

You can explore more of Louis's work on his website louiswes.com