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Jameel Charles’s Unique Drawing Style is Starting to Pay Off

In the fashion world true originality is at a premium. That’s what drew us to Jameel Charles, an artist who’s truly done it his own way. Honing his signature organic, black-line style on his own for years, he’s recently burst out on the scene, doing graphic T-shirts for shops from San Francisco to Vietnam. He’s even picked up a modeling gig or two along the way. We met up with Jameel this week to talk about art, the things that inspire him, and the importance of surrounding oneself with a creative crew.

So you’re one of the more unique artists we know. How did you develop your signature drawing style?

Hey, thanks man. Honestly it’s just being repetitive with your work and constantly incorporating the same thing over and over  until you’ve made it your own. Then it’s something that you can then just easily freehand at any given time!

Were there any artists or cartoons or anything that influenced you?

There are a couple inspiring artists that I can think of off the top of my head. Reginald Pean is a pretty big name in the skate art community who makes hilarious comics. Henry Jones too and a French artist and tattooer, Jean André. Mick Hee Kim, from Korea, is from another tattoo artist who I recently found out about. She has a crisp, colorful style, and will be stateside sometime this year.

Yeah, seems like skateboarding is a big part of your life and that it’s led to some art opportunities for you. Can you explain how you got to do that T-shirt for Freakers skate shop in Vietnam?

Yeah man, skateboarding is the tree and it has so many branches of opportunity. Ask and you shall receive, to sum it up. The Freakers homies found me through Instagram and sent me some gear for clips and little bit down the road I asked if I could do some artwork for a shirt and they were stoked on that.  So was I! It was truly a blessing! 

Have you done artwork for any other skate brands or clothing companies?

Yeah, actually I did some last year. Some homies at over at Thank You in SF were doing a little clothing project and asked me if I wanted to be a part of it. So I did two small designs for them and they had some local shops distribute the tees. I’m hoping to link up with those dudes for a skate sesh in the near future.

Beyond that, I know you have a little crew, Skaters and Thieves. What’s up with that? How did that come about?

Yeah, the gang, my dawgs, the day ones. We’re still here trying to get that name up every day. We founded it pretty much back in the high school days. RIP to the bro Lucas, a main founder and co-founder. We really miss you man. He was a really smart dude, very funny, witty, talented, and tough as nails, but also a very nice guy after you got to know him. As of right now, there’s a handful of us each doing our own things and just trying to make sure and do things right every time. We’ve had a documentary about us out for a minute and we’re hoping more people reach out to us and recognize we are a group of talented young folk that will leave a mark in this era. Check the Instagram for updates! 

You’ve also got a chance to do some modeling. What’s that been like?

Yup, one time before before this [working with O.N.S]. It was for this store in SoHo called CHCM. I worked with really humble, chill, knowledgeable people. Big shout out to Kevin, Ye, and Sweetu for the opportunity. Hope to see them again! The shop is very close to the skate shop Blades near SoHo. It’s kind of in the cut so you have to keep an eye out for it. It’s a very chill place to be. Lots of good ‘fits, just like O.N.S. Once again, super honored to have worked with them. Thanks guys!

Anything coming up in the future for you, art-wise or otherwise?

Well as of right now, I just landed a dog walking job, so I’m going to use that as a means to purchase some new art supplies, because I’m running very low at the moment [laughs]. But yeah, I have some small projects I’m going to start very soon, a couple things for the homies and just some personal stuff. I am hoping to have some shirts printed pretty soon with the help of my good friend Damani, another artist making his name here in NYC (@troawayz). Currently looking for any spaces I can get my hands on because I really want to put some group shows together with my closest friends and just make it happen, ya know. Anyhow, thank you all so much for this moment. It seriously has been a pleasure working with you. Hope to see you in the streets soon!

If you enjoyed this story, check out our Urban Transplants issue here.


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