DUSTN’s digital collages carry the textures of cut paper and canvas. In this conversation from 2022, Haley asks about the care behind that work, creative beginnings, and making space for other people’s emotions.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Dustn, I’m a 15 year old artist who likes to create digital collages that resonate with those who need a safe space to release their built up emotions.
What are the main mediums you work in?
Fully digital via Photoshop and Illustrator.
How long have you been creating?
Overall I have been creating for about 4 years now but I would jump from profession to profession.
How did you start making art?
Same as a lot of people honestly, doing headers for COD teams and just being a part of the whole twitter community doing graphics like merch designs, headers, stream packages, etc.
What are your inspirations behind your creations?
I can really appreciate any piece of beautiful scenery that can evoke an emotion, whether the image has potential in my eyes or is already personally declared to make me really feel something. It’s very calming even through a second hand viewing to be able to see something as simple yet as beautiful as a nice sunset or mountain range.
Tell us a little about your creative process.
I don’t know much about my core process because I sort of just zone in whenever I create a piece of mine, yet whenever I start a piece I tend to reflect on how I felt in the past and I try to think of ways symbolize certain feelings and emotions all while still portraying an appreciation for fine art and what it took for me to get to the position that I’m in today.
Where do you want to see your art going in the future?
I want to see myself going for the long run, and I do see myself going for the long run. I like to believe that I will be able to achieve my dreams with art no matter what. I can really visualize myself doing art 40+ years from now and I know that I will still be enjoying what I do.
What are you trying to express through your work?
I’m trying to express a safe space for someone to confess their emotions that they feel like aren’t worth being heard by another ear. I want to be able to provide for someone through art in which they feel they don’t deserve the privilege of having; someone to listen.
Are there any barriers or advantages in being a younger artist?
Definitely, I have a lot of limitations financially and a few community wise and I feel like I have a lot of pressure on me because of the status that I have at the age I am, I feel like I am pressured into being in a certain position a few years from now once I am older. Yet that could be considered an advantage and a barrier
What do you think of the art scene, and where would you like to see it going?
Currently I see it in an evolution, it seems like everyday or at the very least, every week theres something crazy that happens that just benefits artists more and more. Also seems like at least once a week there’s a new artist that comes up and starts to get noticed and I’m here for it.
I would like to see the community just improve more and more honestly. From what I know of, I would just like to see what is going on happen more often and also for more artists to feel appreciated for what they do.
Any shoutouts to people?
Ozbren, Skilux, Storm, 11, Hazed, LordNeutron, and Karisma.