At Black Coffee Apparel, we're proud to support independent artists and creative communities. In this artist spotlight, we sit down with Toronto-based artist and graphic designer Bree Rawn to discuss their creative journey, artistic influences, and the inspiration behind their bold, colourful work.
Read our conversation with Bree below.
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What got you into the art scene?
I've been interested in visual art for as long as I can remember. From a young age, it felt like a natural path for me, and I never really considered doing anything else. In high school, I took every art class that was available. I always felt the pull of searching for a creative community.
It wasn't until I moved to Toronto to study Graphic Design that I found a space where I could connect with other artists and creatives. My interest in visual communication as a career naturally led me to seek out like-minded people, and through school, work, and creative projects, I gradually became part of the art scene. Building a community initially felt intimidating, but in many ways it happened organically through shared interests and collaboration.
How would you describe your style to someone seeing your work for the first time?
I feel my work tends to sit at the intersection of graphic design, illustration and visual culture. Maximalist. Super illustrative. Colourful, friendly and engaging with hints of nostalgia.
I hope that I make people look twice and notice the storytelling I try and convey in my work by using clean layouts with expressive imagery and subtle references to past graphic styles
What’s your creative process usually like?
I usually begin by sitting with an idea and working through it visually in my head before I start sketching. As the concept develops, I'll gather references, build inspiration boards, refine rough sketches, and solve any design challenges along the way.
Once the direction feels clear, I move into execution. Adding detail, refining the composition, and developing the visual style. A big part of my practice has been learning how to bridge the gap between an initial idea and the finished piece. It’s taken years of experience to consistently bring concepts to life in a way that reflects what I originally envisioned.
What keeps you motivated creatively?
Inspiration comes from all over the place—new projects, the city, good friendships, concerts, and some personal creative experiments. As a freelancer I try to always be working on something. Whether it's a branding project, an illustration, or a new sticker to give out.
I feel really lucky to be at a stage in my career where inspiration seems to find me naturally. Being surrounded by a creative community, great clients, and interesting work creates a momentum of its own. Motivation and inspiration seem to go hand in hand with a busy project schedule.
Do you have any artists who’ve influenced you?
I’m deeply inspired by a wide range of artists, both well-known and within my creative community. When I was first starting out, I was especially influenced by 1960s artists, including Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and Roy Lichtenstein.
As my graphic design practice developed, my influences shifted toward designers such as Aaron Draplin, Jon Contino, and Jessica Walsh. Their work helped shape the way I think about branding, illustration, and visual storytelling.
Is there any advice you would give to younger artists just getting started?
Keep working! Even if your dream clients haven’t shown up yet, create the kind of work you want to be hired for. Build your own projects and create what you want to see. Stay connected to your community, go to shows, and talk to people. Pay attention to what inspires you, and actively seek out more of it. You have good taste, keep pushing it.
Where can people find your work?
My most up to date work can be found on my instagram and my website.
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A huge thanks to Bree Rawn for chatting with us and giving us a look into their creative world. Check out the collaborations that Bree has done with Black Coffee Apparel.
If you enjoyed this feature, check out more artist spotlights, creative stories, and community features on the Black Coffee Apparel blog.