#creator spotlight

Creator Spotlight: Chris Torres (@prguitarman)

Describe your work in your own words—what is Nyan Cat?

Nyan Cat is a little cat with a pastry body and rainbow trail that's been flying across the internet since 2011. It began as a fun little pixel animation I made back in 2011 of my Russian Blue cat, Marty. I drew it on a 70x70 canvas using Macromedia Fireworks, an old program I've been using since 2001. I've always been fascinated by classic video games from the OG Nintendo era, and a lot of my ideas come from trying to recreate that feeling.

How did Nyan Cat come about, for those who don’t know? Give us your origin story!

I created Nyan Cat (and its best pal, Fiesta Dog, who is a corgi with a taco body and blue gradient trails that complement Nyan Cat's rainbow trail) during a donation event to help with disaster relief after Japan's Tohoku earthquake. Once posted online, someone paired Nyan Cat with Daniwell's "Nyanyanyanyanyanyanya!" song, and it instantly took off. Nyan Cat was always meant to be lighthearted and fun, and it's grown into something much bigger than I'd ever imagined. Since 2011, it's circled the globe billions of times and has spawned countless remixes in different styles and flavors.

What’s one Tumblr-specific fan interaction, reblog, or moment that surprised you or made you feel seen as a creator?

Tumblr has always been one of the genuine spaces for Nyan Cat, and it's actually where it all first took off. The original was posted on my blog late at night on April 2nd, and that's where it first blasted off online. I've seen so many creative renditions and uses for Nyan Cat in different styles, it's still amazing to see it pop up in new ways. My favorite Tumblr thing right now has been when it's used on those Blingee/GeoCities style navbar buttons. I think it captures that early internet charm perfectly and reminds me why I fell in love with internet art culture in the first place.

What project or direction are you excited about next?

Right now, I'm happy watching Nyan Cat live a life of its own—it's the internet that's keeping the legend alive and I'm always grateful to see all the ways people use it. I am still drawing different Nyan Cat characters in the original format and style, and plan to continue making fun art as it inspires me. It's been a lot of fun keeping that energy going and watching how art and memes keep evolving together as the internet grows.

Thanks @/prguitarman! Here are some new creations, a timelapse, and an image of Marty who was the original inspiration for Nyan Cat—exclusively for you, Tumblr <3

CC Staple - Serenity

outfit 1: top & skirt, boots

outfit 2: top, skirt, necklace, boots

outfit 3: top (acc), dress, socks, boots

outfit 4: dress, earrings, necklace, tights, heels

Creator Spotlight: @themetalhiro

Hi, I’m Metal! I’m a freelance artist from good ol’ New Jersey. My favorite things to work with are a lot of bright colors, exaggerated poses, and candid scenarios. I try to farm sensible chuckles whenever I can, so I’m also big into comics. I love making them about my life, and the media I’m into, and one day I’d like to publish my own series!  Thank you to everyone who has gotten me this far!!

Check out Metal's interview below!

Did you originally have a background in art? If not, how did you start?

I guess so! It’s funny, I don’t remember a single time in my life that I wasn’t drawing as a hobby… somewhere in middle school (a little late, I know.) I put the pieces together that animated movies were made by artists, and that it wasn’t just for fun, they were paid to do it. The moment I discovered people could be paid to make art, I decided I would do that, too. Now I’m here!

How has your style developed over the years?

I think the best way to answer this would be with an example! Over the last few years, I have made more of an effort to draw more intentionally, which sounds silly. Now, I put more thought into my poses and step out of my comfort zone with shape language and composition. I had a phase where I drew everyone with a huge, perfectly circular head and no nose. That definitely did not lend much variety...

Which 3 famous artists (dead or alive) would you invite to your dinner party?

Ack! I’m so terrible at history! I’d love to give a well-thought-out answer about fine artists of old, but I don't think we’d have much in common… Most artists I admire and who have driven me forward creatively are the people behind comics I’ve read. Andrew Hussie, Bryan Lee O’Malley, Eiichiro Oda... these guys have inspired me greatly and had a heavy influence in developing my art style and sense of humor. I’d love to ask them questions about their processes and upcoming projects. I think it would make for an entertaining night!

Over the years as an artist, what were your biggest inspirations behind your creativity?

Outside of pure aesthetics like searing bright colors, layered clothing, and loud noises…. the best and most inspiring moments in my life were those surrounded by friends and loved ones! I cherish the hell out of memories of hanging around in fun locations, trying weird food together, and impromptu midnight walks... so I try my best to capture that atmosphere and my own memories in my work when I can, even if I’m imposing fictional characters on top of them. That’s always the core of it.

What is a medium that you have always been intrigued by but would never use yourself?

I would never permanently refuse a medium, but every time I pick up clay, I’m like a baby using its hands for the first time. Absolutely dreadful. If one day I could make and paint a figurine like the ones I admire in videos, that would be awesome... But for now, I’m not counting on it.

How do you want to evolve as a creator?

I’ve had an absolute blast drawing fanart over the years, and it’s certainly played a massive role in my growth as an artist. But my dream has always been to publish my own stories for y'all to enjoy! I have lots of worlds I want to introduce to you before I’m old and gray. I want to get faster, work harder, and get better at drawing interesting settings so I can get the wheels turning as soon as possible. I also want to stop avoiding the color blue like a coward.

What do you wish you knew when you first started out creating art that you know now?

Pay your taxes quarterly. Tablets will break at the exact moment you need them most, so have a spare. Wear your blue light glasses. You’re going to need to wear a brace on every joint on the right side of your body. It can be lonely sitting at your desk all day. The car on the side of the road that costs $1000 cash….. don’t trust it!!!

Who on Tumblr inspires you and why?

@cranity—They use absolutely beautiful colors and weighty line work. Everything looks so sharp and clean! I wanna put it all up on my wall!

@vewn—Their ability to crank out quality short films and illustrations packed with detail is incredible. The off-kilter perspective they use really sells disorientation and catches your attention like nothing else.

@nelnal—They have absolutely banger character designs again and again, I can’t believe one person’s mind can come up with so many creative ideas!

@jinx88kc—They have a beautiful and recognizable style, and the way they incorporate animation into their illustrations sometimes is SO cool!

Say hello to Ash!

Murray Smoker, raised in an advertising art household, learned drawing by studying his parents’ work. Influenced by Disney, Hanna-Barbera, Marvel greats like Kirby, Romita, and Buscema, and Mad Magazine legends, he built a career spanning decades in educational illustration, greeting cards, and evolving contemporary fine art, blending humour, storytelling, and disciplined draftsmanship.

“In my early teens, I discovered Marvel Comics and tried to reproduce their superheroes, being particularly impressed by the work of Jack Kirby, Johnny Romita and John Buscema, he notes on his official site at https://murraysmoker.com

many trendy subcultures nowadays are just those that had been popular in, like, 2007. some MTS creations from 00-s can be given a second fashionable life in your savefile. BananaBomb has a relatively small catalogue, but i recomend checking it out. all on Mod The Sims / meshes either included or linked here

decora nail art

glamorous and over-the-top mesh

sanrio bags

16 piece set of accessory bags with Hello Kitty, Cinnamonroll, Kuromi and a mythic pull which is Sugar Bunnies

kawaii wallpapers part 1 - japanese mascots, part 2 - cute patterns, part 3 - mascots (less pastel)

love the fruit ones

ganguro makeup

4 swatches with various face stickers

so much cute pillows

Our next spotlight centres on @coranfucker94 !

Say hi to Blue ( @bluebirdscribblez ) !!

Heres what he has to say:

"Hi there! my names Blue I'm an ageregressor and artist! I've been doing a variety of fandom writings and art seriously for 10 years now, and agere art for the last 4. My agere art started with Bluey fandom agere art so I've got a soft spot for it in my heart!While my art often focuses on my own OCs i have many head-canons for regressors and CGs in a variety of fandoms! This Zine is the perfect reason to break out some of my ideas and drawn them!"

Blue will be making scene art, spot art, and writing for the following fandoms:

The Amazing Digital Circus, and The Avengers