Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Gipple.
Hi Chris, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in Annapolis, MD. I was obsessed with skateboarding and playing music throughout high school. I tend to gravitate towards things that are more independent, rather than team sports.
I have always been doodling and drawing since a young kid, eventually, I started to make gig posters and album art for local bands around Annapolis. I went to Towson University and graduated in 2013. After graduating, I immediately started to work as a freelance graphic designer & illustrator, taking on as many projects as possible while gaining experience.
In 2014, I, along with three friends founded a skate & surf-inspired apparel brand known as Infinite Rot Clothing. I started churning out loud, psychedelic graphic tees and was introduced to the craft of screen printing.
In 2017, I founded Nightshift Creative, a creative agency, with my close friend, Miles Feldman. Nightshift’s goal is to create and grow unique, impactful, and long-lasting brand experiences. I currently act as creative director for Nightshift, while also taking on commissioned illustration work and also working on personal artwork.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think very very few artists can genuinely say they’ve had a smooth road. There have been low lows and high highs along the way. First starting, one of the biggest struggles was money (as with many artists). Finding that balance between passion projects and projects that pay the bills has always been difficult.
I would say another big struggle is persistence and consistency. Life gets in the way, you get distracted, you get uninspired, etc. But I do think one of the main reasons I was able to establish myself as an artist is because I was able to remain persistent over a long period.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a 2D illustrator. I’d say I’m most known for creating very detailed, chaotic, psychedelic scenes filled with various characters. Kind of like “Where’s Waldo”, but a lot more trippy and outlandish.
Most of my work manifests in the form of rock and jam band gig posters/merch, and craft beverage packaging (beer and wine labels).
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have growing up.
Going to Vans skatepark in Potomac Mills Mall. For my birthday, me and my friends would pile into my mom’s minivan and she would drop us off this massive indoor skateboard inside of a mall.
I’ll never forget the rush of dopamine that would hit my brain every time I would step into that skatepark. I wish I could go back as an adult, but it was shut down several years back.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gipp.store/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_gipp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/artworkofgipp
