About Me

About Me: Kevin Eslinger
I was born in 1978, growing up in an era saturated with pop culture that would ultimately shape my artistic journey. From the vivid Saturday morning cartoons of the 1980s to the targeted advertising that influenced an entire generation, my childhood was steeped in the imagery and storytelling that would later define my career. I have always been fascinated by the power of visual storytelling, a passion that carried me through a variety of artistic endeavors—each step layering upon the next to create the artist I am today.

My creative journey started early with baseball card collecting, which evolved into comic book collecting in my teenage years. It was during this time that I was deeply influenced by artists like Todd McFarlane, whose run on Spider-Man and subsequent founding of Image Comics left an indelible mark on me. My love for comic book artistry led me to Art Center College of Design in Southern California, where I pursued editorial illustration. While at Art Center, I simultaneously worked for Gentle Giant Studios, immersing myself in the world of toy and collectible design.

My professional career took off at McFarlane Toys, where I worked as a toy designer. I was fortunate to contribute to projects involving some of the most iconic figures in pop culture, including action figures for The Matrix, Terminator 3, and NASCAR. My role allowed me to experience firsthand the artistic process behind toy creation, from concept sketches to final production. Later, I transitioned to Master Replicas, where I worked on prop replicas for Pirates of the Caribbean and Disney’s The Muppets, collaborating with industry giants and gaining a deeper understanding of how pop culture properties were managed and marketed.
One of the most memorable moments in my career came when I visited the Jim Henson Studio, home to The Muppets, housed in the former Charlie Chaplin Studios in Los Angeles. Standing in a room filled with the original Muppet characters, I was overwhelmed by the sheer history and creative spirit that permeated the space. I even walked away with a feather from Big Bird—a treasure I still keep to this day.
Over the years, my work evolved beyond toy design and collectibles, leading me to explore fine art. My artistic approach is rooted in transformation—finding new ways to reinterpret pop culture icons. One of my most recognizable bodies of work is my Splatter Art series, an experiment in minimalism and abstract expressionism. The challenge was to break characters down to their most basic elements while still maintaining instant recognizability. This series gained massive popularity between 2011 and 2016, particularly with the advent of social media platforms like Instagram and Reddit, where my work spread virally. During this period, I showcased at Comic Cons and galleries, creating a distinct artistic voice within the fan art and pop culture space.

However, as time progressed, I began to feel the shifting tides of the art world. The corporate influence on pop culture became more apparent, with companies like Disney strategically managing their properties in ways that blurred the lines between entertainment and commercial strategy. Additionally, the ever-changing social media algorithms made it increasingly difficult for artists to reach their audience in the same organic way. This realization led me to step back from pop culture art and seek a new direction.

Most recently, my artistic exploration has been focused on Glitch Art, a response to the rise of AI-generated imagery and digital distortions. Inspired by the imperfections and anomalies found in AI-generated content, I have been working to translate these digital glitches into traditional paintings, exploring the idea of technological disruptions through a fine art lens. This work, which I have been developing over the past few years, represents a departure from my earlier pop culture-driven pieces and a deeper dive into abstraction and contemporary art.
Beyond my artistic endeavors, I am deeply passionate about advocating for artists to pursue their craft without fear. I have witnessed countless talented individuals be discouraged from following an artistic path due to societal expectations or the belief that art is not a "real job." I firmly believe that one of the greatest risks in life is failing at something you never wanted to do in the first place. My experiences in the toy industry, licensing, and the fine art world have reinforced my belief that artists must continually evolve and find new ways to adapt to an ever-changing landscape.

Today, my work can be found on my website, www.kevineslinger.com, and I continue to showcase in galleries and exhibitions. My latest work will be featured at Giant Robot in Los Angeles for their Post-It Show, where I will be presenting nine new Glitch Art pieces. As I move forward in my career, my focus remains on pushing artistic boundaries, embracing change, and continuing to create meaningful work that resonates with collectors and audiences alike.