by Lorie Lewis Ham

Though it is important to KRL that we support the LGBTQ+ community year round, during Pride month, we make an extra effort to feature local LGBTQ+ performers/artists—whether they are singers, actors, directors, or artists. This year we have the pleasure of featuring three different local artists–Casey Peck, Atlas, and Robyn Martinez—all from Fresno.

Interview with Casey Peck:

KRL: What is the name of your company?

Casey: Trippy Casey.

KRL: What type of art do you do?

Casey: I create 2D & 3D digital art to make products like pins and jewelry, and I make keychains and accessories out of clay as well.

KRL: What medium do you use?

Casey: Digital and clay.

KRL: What led you to create the kind of art that you do?

Casey: I went to school for graphic design and since graduating I’ve been building my brand on the side.

KRL: What do you feel is unique about your art?

Casey: It took me a while to find my style, but I think it’s pretty unique to me now.

KRL: How long have you been an artist?

Casey: Since I was a kid.

KRL: What first inspired you to become an artist?

Casey: My family. My grandmother was an artist and my mom is too.

KRL: Where do you get your ideas and inspiration from?

Casey: Usually, I just get feelings and describe them through imagery.

KRL: Do you have a “day job” as well?

Casey: Yea, I’m an in-house designer at a sporting goods store.

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KRL: What do you love most about being an artist?

Casey: I just love creating. Doesn’t matter the medium.

KRL: What is the hardest?

Casey: Paying for all the art supplies lol

KRL: Future goals with your art?

Casey: I’ve been into turning my 3D designs into jewelry and that’s been fun.

KRL: Where can people see and purchase your art?

Casey: On Etsy trippycasey.etsy.com.

KRL: Website & social media?

Casey: trippycasey.etsy.com and instagram.com/trippycasey1.

Interview with Atlas:

KRL: What is your company’s name, and what are your pronouns?

Atlas: I use “they/them” pronouns and I am the owner/founder of Arctic Artistry.

KRL: What type of art do you do?

Atlas: I haven’t found an exact style of art I do, but I am hoping to stay within the cute aesthetic, with some DnD and fanart pieces. I am an oddball, as I like to mix things up in art styles.

KRL: What medium do you use?

Atlas: I use crafting clay and jewelry making for my trinkets and charms. For art prints and stationary items, I tend to use digital art or watercolor. Sometimes I mix in acrylic paint with watercolor.

KRL: What led you to create the kind of art that you create?

Atlas: I’ve always enjoyed doing art and growing up, I was told I should sell my art, but I never did because my confidence was too low. As you can see now though, I have a business. I give my thanks to some nice people who gave me a huge confidence boost to look into Art Hop and try it out. With some free time in between college and a bit of a hobby expanding, I was able to build my business.

KRL: What do you feel is unique about your art?

Atlas: I find that my art is unique in that I don’t exactly replicate a lot of things, as I sort of think of things on the spot. Well, I should say that I forget what I make and often forget to take pictures. I plan to do better on that! Besides that, I am pretty creative and out there with ideas. Most of the time, I make my items due to the lack of said items when I shop locally or online. I have a bad habit of just making something if I can’t find it or it seems like too bizarre of an idea.

KRL: How long have you been an artist?

Atlas: I’ve been drawing and making art ever since I was able to make something with shapes, but actually selling my art started in 2022. Still fairly new to the whole selling and finding what I want to do with my art, but I am getting there.

KRL: What first inspired you to become an artist?

Atlas: I guess it all comes down to me just doodling random things on any surface I could do without consequence. Inspiration from someone or something didn’t happen for me, it just came about. I’ve always done art and was told to sell it, but never had the gall to actually do it. Then I did, and I’ve been doing it since.

KRL: Where do you get your ideas and inspiration from?

Atlas: It really is based on what I see around me, from walking to school, or seeing something on social media, or even just what tools I have in front of me to work with. It’s all random yet not when it comes to my ideas. I try my best to make sure it isn’t outlandish, but fun and possible.

KRL: Do you have a “day job” as well?

Atlas: Yes, I do, I’ll be starting this new job as a summer-school teacher for a program in Clovis. I get to teach Chemistry with loads of fun activities for the kids. Oh, I am also a full-time student in Fresno State.

KRL: What do you love most about being an artist?

Atlas: I enjoy the freedom of being an artist. I decide what to make and when to make it. I am the decision maker and my own boss. The freedom of creativity and opportunities given to just be me is amazing. It is a moment I feel calm and have some fun. A time of expression and nothing to tie me down by forced obligations. Being an artist is fun and such a liberating experience.

KRL: What is the hardest?

Atlas: I’d probably say finding time to work on projects is the hardest for me. Not necessarily that, I am super busy, well I can be at times with school, but more so that it can be hard to sit down and work when I am someone with disabilities. Some days can be good or bad, and I can’t predict them. Most of the time, I can do work and school, but after all that and when I want to create and sit down to do it, that can be hard.

KRL: Future goals with your art?

Atlas: I hope to expand my style of creating charms, stationery, art and more. I am actually going to learn to use a sewing machine so that I can recycle thrifted fabric to make something cute for my shop. Haven’t figured out what it’ll be exactly, but I know it’ll be great!

KRL: Any events/art shows coming up where you will be selling your art?

Atlas: None as of right now, since I will be starting a new job soon and I’d like to do my very best for it and prioritize my time with the kids and their education!

KRL: Where can people see and purchase your art?

Atlas: You can find my art/make requests on Instagram, which you can follow at here: instagram.com/arctic_artistry and purchase my art from my shop website on Square here: arctic-artistry.square.site

KRL: Anything you would like to add?

Atlas: Coming from someone with a scatterbrain like mine and who has come a long way in life, you CAN do it. If you want to do something that makes you happy, do it. No one is going to stop you other than yourself, maybe with some outside issues, but nothing that can’t be worked around or accommodated. This is cliche, I know, but it’s true, just go out and shoot your shot. Keep going until you know you’ve made it and you’re happy.

Interview with Robyn Martinez:

KRL: What is the name of your company?

Robyn: The Sad Babes Club.

KRL: What type of art do you do?

Robyn: I do digital art, photography, and collage/found art composition.

KRL: What medium do you use?

Robyn: I will try anything if possible but my favorite tools of the trade are my iPad, magazines, my canon camera and my scanner.

KRL: What led you to create the kind of art that you create?

Robyn: I have always made art since I was very young and I just follow the direction my inspirations take me to, I try to get weird with it and allow myself to be vulnerable or silly.

KRL: What do you feel is unique about your art?

Robyn: I don’t like to make it for other people I make art I like, and if it resonates with others then that’s awesome! So I guess it’s just weird like I am.

KRL: How long have you been an artist?

Robyn: As an amateur since I could pick up a pencil, but professionally since 2015.

KRL: What first inspired you to become an artist?

Robyn: I loved watching TV shows like the adventures of Pete and Pete when I was little and I would try to draw the characters and make comics about them. When a camera was in reach I’d grab it and take photos of everything I could.

KRL: Where do you get your ideas and inspiration from?

Robyn: My friends, nature, retro pop culture, politics and cats.

KRL: Do you have a “day job” as well?

Robyn: Right now my day job is my art and shop, but the last day job I had was working at a print shop with my best friends.

KRL: Where can people see and purchase your art?

Robyn: My website is SadBabes.com and I also have my items in Luna Luna 209 in Merced and Stage Fright Clothing in Bakersfield. I am always looking to expand my IRL work.

KRL: What do you love most about being an artist?

Robyn: I love being able to create bad art and learn from it.

KRL: What is the hardest?

Robyn: Art block! I know then, it’s time to get out of my house and my head and do something to knock it loose.

KRL: Where are you from?

Robyn: Originally from Merced, but I’ve been in Fresno 15 years.

KRL: Future goals with your art?

Robyn: I want to get even weirder.

KRL: Any events/art shows coming up where you will be selling your art?

Robyn: Not currently but I’d love to showcase my photography if anyone’s interested.

KRL: website & social media?

Robyn: Sadbabes.com @thesadbabesclub on Instagram.

KRL: Anything you would like to add?

Robyn: I wish more people would pick up an art tool and make bad art and have fun!! Do it for yourself, you deserve to create not just consume!

Thanks so much to Casey, Atlas, and Robyn for chatting with us this week! Be sure to check out their art!

Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and a contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie’s mystery writing at Mysteryrat’s Closet. Lorie’s latest mystery series is set in the Tower District of Fresno and the world of community theatre! Book 1, One of Us, and Book 2, One of You, are both available to purchase–links on her website.