Why This Local Art Will Make You Smile— Meet Shiny Top, the Man Creating A Whimsical World
Art is suppose to spark emotion and Zach, better known as Shiny Top online, does not disappoint. From mix media collage, to simple acrylic on canvas, this wonderfully weird world brings out smiles in everyone around the county who finds his art stuck to the side of a poll or on a wall in their home.
We dug into Zach’s creative brain further to find out more about his personal shiny top and artistic inspirations.
Let us know more about you!
Hello! My name is Zach, I recently started making art for public consumption a few months ago. I am bald and that’s why I decided to call my project Shiny Top.
How would you describe your art?
I paint and draw a lot of cartoony type characters on canvas, paper and wood panel. I also like making goofy little character collages.
“I think there’s a common misconception that we’re doing this on our own, but I love when art is a collaborative effort and I think art communities help promote collaboration.”
How do you choose the material you work with for each piece?
Honestly I’m still trying to figure that out haha. I feel like I have a few different mediums I work well within and I try to choose materials based on how I want the final piece to look (that probably seems obvious).
But if I want a clean look with a little texture I’ll use acrylic on canvas or wood panel. If I want a raw or messy look I’ll use Micron pens on paper or crayon and watercolor. If I want something surreal or goofy I’ll go for a collage. If I’m ever uncertain I just default to acrylic.
If your art had a soundtrack, what three songs would be on it?
This is a stellar question.
Whisper on the Breeze by TWRP
Vega-Tables by The Beach Boys
Content 4 U by TWRP
How long have you been creating?
I have been creating in some sort of fashion since I was a kid. In high school I made a lot of videos with my friends which led to me getting into animation and then back into painting and drawing.
What role do you think local arts communities play in supporting emerging artists?
Oof good question. I think a big role local arts communities play in supporting emerging artists is connecting them with other artists and creating an artistic community.
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about sharing my art is talking to other emerging artists or already established artists about their experiences. It’s been encouraging and helpful to hear what they’ve struggled with, how they’ve grown and how they think about their own art.
I think there’s a common misconception that we’re doing this on our own, but I love when art is a collaborative effort and I think art communities help promote collaboration.
What inspirations do you pull from?
My favorite artists right now are Bones Gilmore, So-He Woo and KAWS.
I’ve got a couple reasons I love creating. I love making people laugh. I love creating goofy characters with a little bit of a backstory. And I love showing people that they can make art too. Art is not just for the technically skilled, it's for everyone to make and enjoy.
Can you share your favorite piece and their lore?
I called this piece ‘Goobzilla’. I love the idea that a massive, terrifying, destructive kaiju could have a goofy, harmless brother who probably just wants to have a good hang with his friends.
What do you want people to take away when they see your art?
I just want people to have a good time. I’m not trying to take myself too seriously when I do this and I hope people can laugh or smile when they see my art.
What’s an artistic moment that stands out to you
This story isn’t fully about me but I was reading ‘Miffy the Artist’ to my daughter and at the end I asked her if she wanted to be an artist when she grows up. She replied: “I already am an artist!” And I said: “You absolutely are.” To me that was just a great reminder that I’m an artist whether I decide to show/sell my art or not.
Why are you sharing your art more publicly now?
I started hanging up my art in our home and had a few friends encourage me to start sharing that art and potentially start selling it. Kellie Burch was a huge encouragement for me to continue sharing it. I’m honestly still a little uncomfortable with the idea of promoting myself and my art haha.
Are there any dream collaborations or projects you’d love to explore in the future?
Dang another good question. I think I would love to get a bunch of cartoony artists together to do some sort of D&D campaign where all the characters and monsters you encounter would be life sized figures/statues that we built. I think it’d be cool to make that an escape room of sorts for people to come and experience
Where can folks find your art?
I’ve got some pieces for sale on my Instagram and I’ll be at Art on the Alley in October!
