Tilteed

Artist Interview: YemaYema

Curator’s Statement:

I can’t skateboard but, boy, do I wish I could. One of my life goals is to learn to ride a longboard. Coasting down the street looks so enjoyable, and it’s something that I definitely want to do someday. The only time that I have moved farther than 10 feet on a skateboard was back in elementary school when I sat on one and rolled downhill. I’m not quite sure why I’m sharing that embarrassing tidbit, but regardless, I would love to be skating just like the character in this design. To anyone who has even the slightest bit of interest in skateboarding, this tee’s for you!

Welcome back, Mercedes! What have you been doing since we featured Woody Friends?

Wooop! Very happy to be back! Doing pretty good and super busy. Designing, sketching and having fun in the wonderful world of art!

What gave you the idea to create Skateboard Boy?

By heart, I am a skateboard lover. It is one of the things that I guess I never got around to learning, but always, ALWAYS have loved! I hardly have time to do anything nowadays, so I guess I daydream that one day I could actually be doing what the guy on my illustration is doing! Haha. No, but seriously, skateboarding is one awesome sport with great culture behind it, plus skate decks are awesome!

Do you think that your art has evolved since you started designing? How so?

Yes, it has. I have added more detail to the designs and more compact characters, but they can still be recognized as “Yema” designs. My characters now have a lot of my personality in them. Say for this design, it has one of my dreams on it. I can say the same with my “I want a tattoo” tee. I actually would love a tattoo, and I am sure many people out there have similar desire. My work now has more meaning to it than before. That is the biggest change for YemaYema.

Are there any artists that you would like to collaborate with in the future?

Yes! I hope one day I get to be at their level. Some of them include one of my favorite tee artists, Deedee Kid, SockMonkee, the fantastic Wotto, and Mr. Uberkraaft

Describe your perfect day.

Any day that I can spend the majority of time drawing is the perfect day! Though no day is like that anymore, I still have a lot of fun!

What do you like to do when you’re not illustrating?

I love to watch movies with my husband or have good meal at a good restaurant. But most of my time is spent in chasing my little one, and when he naps, I draw.

Last words?

Yes, indeed! I want to thank you guys again for having me here. It is really an honor. And thanks to everyone who buys a shirt! I hope you guys dig it!