Creator Spotlight - Brian Ariyo

Who are you, where are you based, and how would you describe what you do?

My name is Brian Ariyo, and I’m a filmmaker and mixed-media animation artist based in Houston, Texas.

Your mixed media work is the coolest! How did you get introduced to that?

Over the past few years, I’d seen different artists experimenting with mixed media, and it really caught my attention. One artist in particular, @RyanNg, often used stop-motion mixed media in his work, which was super inspiring. Eventually, I discovered my friend @Estrella Lo, who was also doing mixed media, so I reached out to her for advice on how to get started. That led me down a long rabbit hole of exploring different mixed media artists across various styles and techniques.

Do you think there's a need for physical media more?

I wouldn’t say there’s necessarily a need for physical media, but I do think there should be a greater appreciation for it. Since it’s often seen as an “ancient” medium, it’s refreshing to come across artwork that doesn’t feel recycled from social media trends. Because there aren’t many physical mixed media artists out there, it naturally helps the work stand out. Not a lot of people are willing to spend 20 hours cutting and drawing on physical paper—so in a way, that dedication makes the art even more special.

I love your creative video intros on social media! What are some methods you've used to get your work seen more?

I love this question! I’ve been creating content on social media for almost three years now, so I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about strategy—especially when it comes to hooks and engagement. One thing that really worked for me was simply being myself more. The more authentic I am, the more success I’ve found with my videos.

I try to blend my unhinged humor with my art, which lets me target two different audiences: people who love entertaining, funny content and those who appreciate unique artwork. Finding that balance has helped get thousands of eyes on my work. (And for context—I swear I’m not as crazy as I seem in my videos, haha!)

Who's your dream client to work with?

I’d love to work with Doechii, Tyler, the Creator, Pharrell Williams, Gibson Hazard, or Cole Bennett.

Who are some cool creators that inspire you?

Some of my favorite creators are @heartsh6kr, @karencheng, @aaronfdesign, @justinkaminuma, and @kayliswrld.

you can check out more of Brian's work on instagram @brian.ayooo!