Inspirations & Imperfections

Inspiration comes to me from so many places, but it always starts with the people around me. My friends, who put themselves out there with their art and music, constantly remind me to keep pushing myself. Watching their creativity in action fuels my own.

One of the biggest influences on my approach to art has been the book Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon. It’s great read for someone who may struggle with what it means to be an artist. It’s a reminder that creativity is a mosaic of borrowed and re-imagined ideas, and that embracing inspiration from others is part of the process. I also draw a lot from artists like Friedensreich Hundertwasser, whose work is built on the beauty of imperfections. The individuality and uniqueness in his art resonate deeply with me. More recently, the work of ellingson.tv has inspired me to search for more in my own art. The way he manipulates and pushes his creativity always makes me aspire to try harder and to think about all the possibilities my art can achieve. Watching his work reminds me that there are endless ways to evolve and expand on what I do, and it’s a powerful motivator to keep exploring.

Then there’s the art of circuit bending. A niche art form I absolutely love. It’s all about taking analog technology and pushing it beyond its intended purpose. Manipulation to make something new. That’s what I try to do with my TVs. They were made for families to sit around want watch together. Now, I use them to showcase the imperfections of art and technology.

Each of my TVs feel like their own character, with its own quirks and flaws. There are different shapes, sizes, colors, and ages, some are missing pieces, some are black & white, some have screen burn or scratches. I love showing off their individuality and celebrating what makes them special.

The analog & CRT aesthetic itself is a huge inspiration to me. There’s something magical about the scan lines and imperfections of an old TV. I love how the analog look adds a sense of nostalgia and uniqueness to everything it touches. So when you see yourself on there, in stunning 1080I resolution, you can feel nostalgic.

Finally, I’m always inspired by passion. Whether it’s in a new art form gaining traction or an artist pouring their soul into their work. Even if it’s not something I can directly incorporate into Knees TVs, I’m drawn to that energy. It’s that kind of passion that keeps me experimenting, creating, and finding new ways to bring my vision to life.

– Knees 🙂