Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Hunter.
Hi Mike, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Photography, painting, and of course illustration were always great passions of mine; but I never quite knew how or where to go with a career in a creative field. The for-profit art school I attended was very corporate and didn’t provide many useful skills being a freelance artist.
I would do the random commission for family and friends, usually portraits of people or pets; but worked a regular 9-5 for seven years. Then the pandemic hit, and I was financially unstable to say the least. Feeling creatively stifled for years, I actually started to create. On a whim, I launched a Kickstarter for a zine I created called ‘Monster Meat’ featuring horror monster men modeled after vintage gay magazines. The project was well overfunded, and I was able to set up shop on Etsy.
Three years later, I’ve successfully funded several Kickstarter projects, produced three different annual zines, tons of other products featuring my artwork, and even an LGBT+ artists spotlight to showcase other queer artists called ‘Queer Chat’. I’ve taught myself crowdfunding, marketing, advertising, and so much more in the past few years and continue to learn every day.
Last year I started doing vendor events and pop-ups here in Kansas City and have been able to meet so many unique and talented artists. The creative community has been so helpful and insightful in my journey to becoming a full-time artist.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Well, relying on your creative passion as your sole income is pretty hard. With a traditional job, there’s a lot of stability you can rely on. Financially it’s been a hard road. Some months are amazing, and I’m able to put extra funds toward my business; other months are harder. It can definitely be a juggling act when it comes to creating new things and making sure your bills are paid. Luckily I have a great support system at home.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I absolutely love creating and collecting zines. Zines are (usually) smaller booklets created by creatives showcasing stories, illustrations, and more.
I also love to create art with a purpose. That’s why each of my zines is hyper-focused on the LGBT+ community.
‘Monster Meat’ features illustrations of monster boys with hilarious references to horror films and pop culture but styled like a vintage gay ‘Playdude’ magazine.
‘Celestial Bodies’ is an extra large body positive illustration book of nude portraits I’ve done of the different member of the LGBT+ community. This project aims to show that everyone is beautiful regardless of their body type, race, sexuality, or gender identity.
And ‘Queer Chat’ is a zine showcasing 14 different LGBT+ artists, some of their work, and all the places readers can find and support them on the web.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I’ve always been a creative person. Growing up in the country for a significant part of my childhood, I was always sketching and doodling things. It’s no surprise that art was a huge influence on me throughout high school, into adulthood.
My grandma was a painter, and my mom always encouraged my drawing, photography, and writing. I think having a supportive family was the biggest benefit as a young artist. Who knows where I’d be without them.
My family and I tended to move around growing up, and when we landed near Kansas City, we stayed. I had very supportive teachers here, who encouraged me to pursue my different creative interests, helping me to be published in Nikon’s ‘Best of College Photography’ before I was even in college.
I think having several creative outlets growing up has really helped me in the long run. Skills I learned in junior high about drawing, photography and painting skills In high school and digital tools in college have all been extremely useful as I create my own products.
Pricing:
- $40 personal digital commissions
- $140 commercial use digital commissions
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Ewmikehunt
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ewmikehunt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ewmikehunt
- Other: https://www.flowcode.com/page/ewmikehunt
