Interview with artist Nadia De Jesus

Our tshirts that everyone loves was designed by Kiwi-Filipino artist Nadia De Jesus, who not only brings the brains but the beauty too, being a regular model for Tsrang Label.

As one of the building blocks of Tsrang Label, we interviewed her about her influences and inspirations.

What has been your journey with art?

I remember watching my brother and sister play Magic the Gathering; I would always stare in awe at the artwork content of the cards. 

In year 9, I saw design boards from the senior students; one board stood out; it was a fake film. They added a DVD design cover, character design sets and another type of cover design. The visuals and creativity was VERY inspiring, that my goal was to surpass this artist. This artist received design scholarships through her school years  and I wanted to do the same. 

From year 11 to 13, I stayed up all night; learning tutorials, drawing daily and used 100% of my life in my design boards. Eventually, I obtained all design scholarships and my design board went on an exhibition. 

I realised I wanted to be a concept artist thus, I studied game design at Auckland University of Technology. 

All from Artstation, Pinterest, Instagram and existing artist portfolios.

I am more focused when I have a youtube video playing in one tab and a pinterest board open in the other. Or sometimes I’m in a voice chat with my friends.

Was it hard designing the Tsrang Label tshirts?

It was challenging but I thoroughly enjoyed the Chinese mythology ideas. Creating the Denglong was extra hard because there wasn’t much existing artwork, there was only that Yu-Gi-Oh card and the statue lol.

Which one is your fave Tsrang label tshirt?

The Denglong shirt!!

How would you describe your fashion sense?

Show-the-ass-curve.