With no formal art lessons or graphic digital art experience, sophomore human physiology major Tucker Stosic has been able to create art for Twenty One Pilots, Empire West Live Photography, The Truce Initiative, AnCora Co., J Skis and Hunter Hunted.
When Stosic was being introduced to Twenty One Pilots, he was himself how to do digital art. Stosic decided to do a piece of fan art and post it on Instagram.
“I just happened to make a drawing (of Twenty One Pilots) and put it up on Instagram,” Stosic said. “It got a lot of attention, it got the band’s attention and that’s how I got in contact with them.”
Social media is the cornerstone to Stosic’s success with his artwork.
“I just used the “#TwentyOnePilots” and got a huge response from a community of fans and the band themselves,” Stosic said.
Social media’s ability to share things quickly and easyily has allowed for his artwork to spread.
“My art really wouldn’t be out there without (social media),” Stosic said. “It’s really easy for me to post a picture and immediately get it out to my followers, and it’s so easy for them to tag a friend and their friends seeing it. My art gets seen a lot that way.”
Stosic has a following of 4,602 people on Instagram, and that large following has allowed for him to be recognized. At a recent Twenty One Pilots concert, he was spotted by some concert-goers who stopped him to ask for pictures.
One of the coolest and most shocking moments for Stosic was when he saw photos of his artwork being tattooed on people he had never met.
Unlike most jobs that college students work, there are no regular hours or drives to work. Stosic is usually able to work around his class schedule, but like most college students’ experience, the two schedules can intertwine and be hectic for a few days while the art is produced.
“School obviously always comes first, but there are times where you have to get a design done, but also have a midterm the next day. It’s kind of tough, but you don’t work regular hours, so I’m able to work around,” Stosic said.
Stosic has never really thought of pursuing a career in graphic design. He is hopeful to get a career with human physiology, but if the opportunity came, there is no question he would consider it.
“If one day it took off and I got offered a job as a merch designer with a major record label, that’d be awesome, but I’d have a lot to think about,” Stosic said. “Its always been a hobby, it has never been my career pursuit. I’ll always keep doing art just because I like it and enjoy it so much.”
Follow Mike Mendoza on Twitte at @mikewheresike