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The Yearbook-on-Acid Digital Collages of Tyler Spangler

GIFs and collages fueled by candy and creativity.
Images courtesy the artist

Images courtesy the artist

Fueled by the sun, the surf, and copious amounts of candy, it's the mission of collage artist, GIF-maker, and psychology B.A. Tyler Spangler to recontextualize even the most familiar images with a bang. Think you know gummy bears? What about when they're pouring from someone's eyes like tears? An intimate kiss is priceless—unless your tongues are connected. The Statue of Liberty looks a lot happier with an ice cream cone than she ever did with that lousy torch, etc. His works draw in the eye with iconic imagery, then bum-rush the optical nerves with the bright stripes and candy colors that burn into the retina oh, so good.

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Spangler began developing his style working as a graphic designer and retailer at Jack's Surfboards in Newport Beach, CA. He's a picture-perfect Cali surfer, with sun-bleached brown hair, toasted skin, and a wardrobe that matches his extroverted artwork. His professional energy—e.g. cold-calling bands and clients he wants to work with and producing five 440-page books of work over the past nine years—has led him to work with bands like Outkast, Reagan Youth, and Little Dragon. He's spattered his signature waves of color all over surf, skate, and snow gear, and has been featured everywhere from 15 Folds, to Hi-Fructose, to Spleen Mag. We caught up with Spangler and asked him about making art in California, how he found his stylistic voice, and the ultimate purpose of his artwork.

The Creators Project: How would you describe your style to someone who had never seen your art (and couldn't just check it out on their phone for some reason)?

Tyler Spangler: I could either use my description: A grape flavored popsicle dipped in the ocean and left on a rock to melt." Or I could use one of my professors' descriptions: A high school yearbook on acid.

What software and hardware is in your artistic toolbox?

The Adobe Suite and candy.

When did you realize you were going to be an artist?

When I was working at a surfshop after graduating with a psych degree and constantly painting on surfboards and doing flyers. I realized I loved creating bright and evocative graphics. In the beginning I couldn't support myself with just art so I stayed at the surf shop until I built up enough of a client list to sustain myself. That was about three years ago. It is still really scary, though, because you never know when jobs will come, but I am confident that things are going to work out. It also helps that I live very frugally.

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What was your biggest breakthrough in defining your style?

Finding my color palette and getting closer to finding that balance between chaotic and minimal.

Who are you biggest visual artist influences?

Ozzie Wright, Barbara Kruger, and any of the Dada artists.

Who are your biggest non-visual artist influences?

Electric Wizard, Kurt Cobain, and George Carlin.

Who are the top three clients you've ever worked with?

I dont want to narrow it down because almost all of them have been awesome. Its cool because people usually come to me because they want me to create something in my own style which is really satisfying because thats what comes natural to me. So to answer the question, my favorite clients are the ones who minimally art direct.

How has living in California affected your art?

I'm not really sure because I've never lived anywhere else. Surfing, sun, and an active culture probably has something to do with it. My work is bright, loud, and mostly chaotic but has a sense of calming—I think that is a reflection of southern California.

What do you hope to accomplish with your work? How will you leave your mark on the world?

I just want to make people smile, laugh and have feelings. I dont want to be scrolled past.

What's next for you as an artist?

I just finished a couple really big jobs so right now I am kind of unwinding but I still continue to make new pieces everyday.

Check out more of Tyler Spangler's work on his website.

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