Stop & Chat

Zach Rush

As we continue to shine a light on our extended creative community we checked in with Zach Rush to find out how early immersion into psychedelic art inspired his journey, and what's next.

My introduction to the world of commercial art began at a young age when my dad lent me his copy of ‘Views’ by Roger Dean. Dean designed many of the record covers for the heavy hitters in the progressive rock genre, translating their psychedelic sounds into mind-bending visual experiences. I was awe-struck by the imaginative universe Dean had created and inspired me to keep sketchbooks documenting my own ideas.

One particular image in the book stood out to me the most, a drawing of a plane where the nose was replaced by a bird skull. I found this image very exciting as it was saying something new, taking two symbols and blending them together to tell a story. Ever since seeing these artworks, I have been captivated by creating new worlds and conceptual imagery through drawing and design.

Trailblazer duo illustration for Origin

It’s a challenge to pinpoint a single source of inspiration. I feel a constant supply of ideas looking in and looking out. But I do have an ever-expanding collection of art & design books; some recent purchases include Steinberg at The New Yorker, Hokusai’s Fuji, Milton Glaser Posters, and Broken Fingaz Retrospective. I am also very blessed to work in a shared studio with some very talented and inspiring people, which is invaluable for bouncing around ideas, enriching conversations, and general good vibes.

A–Side campaign illustration

A–Side Christmas mailer pin badge

All the projects I have created with A-Side have been so much fun. The briefs allow a lot of room for creative freedom balanced with strong art direction and concise limitations. What I love most is seeing the results; often, I am sending off finals and there is a long enough pause between the submission and the final outcomes that I’ve forgotten half of what I’ve drawn, and it’s so exciting to see where my drawings have been used and how the art direction has evolved.

My dream commission would involve collaborating on a long-term project. Creating many drawings to be realized in various contexts, ranging from large-scale murals to simple spots, chaotic illustrations to pin badges. I equally enjoy drawing spots with a simple message all the way to vibrant heavily detailed illustrations, finding a sense of calm in both. Creating a whole world and connecting each element with a thread of conceptual ideas to help tell the story of a brand or company.

I have also been making a lot of paintings outdoors with gouache so a reportage project somewhere sunny in the mountains or by the sea would be great after all the rain hahaha.

zachrush.studio
zachrush.bigcartel.com
instagram.com/zach_rush_