Meet RAD Artist: Bryce Wong

A Blank(et) Canvas.

Our Rumpl Artist Division (R.A.D.) program has long been a platform for showcasing artists, photographers, and designers on our one-of-a-kind canvas.

These programs are limited in nature and celebrate creative expression in all its forms.

Bryce Wong is an eclectic artist and designer based in Portland, OR whose work spans from footwear and tattoos to custom electric mini bikes, all fueled by a "maker" spirit and a drive to create something from nothing. By intertwining pop culture icons with the rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, Bryce reimagines familiar symbols to explore the theme of new beginnings.

We sat down with Bryce to learn more about his creative process, his "hot dog era," and why change is in the air with this latest RAD collaboration.

For those who don’t know you, what’s your background?

• My name is Bryce Wong. I grew up in Irvine, California. Shout out 714. I’m an artist, designer, maker and a dad.

What motivates you to create?

I think it’s my ADHD desire to stay busy and work with my hands. My favorite thing is creating something from nothing. Whether that’s building motorcycles, designing blankets, or sketching with pen and paper, there’s this internal drive that just pushes me to make things.

• Where do you draw inspiration from?

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• I pull inspiration from a lot of places, but I love intertwining pop culture and recognizable icons with my own twist. Cartoons, anime, video games, anything in that cultural zeitgeist that we all kind of know and love. I like taking something familiar and reimagining it in a way that feels personal.

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• You work in a lot of different mediums. How do they connect?

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  There’s no master plan. It’s more like a snowball effect. I’ll see one image, walk through a museum, scroll past something online and it sends me down a rabbit hole.
  

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• I build electric mini bikes, which is a super niche thing. I love pushing the aesthetic boundaries of what people expect. I’ve tattooed. I work in stained glass with my wife. I paint. I design footwear. It’s eclectic, but the through-line is simple. I’m just chasing what feels fun and exciting at the time.

• When did you start creating art?

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• Honestly, probably before I can even remember. My parents have photos of drawings I did as a kid. Growing up, I was more interested in tools than toys. I wanted things I could build with. It’s always been woven into what I do. Long story short, my whole life.

Do you have a favorite project?

That’s always tough. I don’t really have a favorite finished project. The fun part for me is the making. Once it’s done, I’m kind of onto the next thing.

I’ve designed shoes I never wear, illustrated shirts I don’t even own. My favorite project is usually the one I’m about to start.

How do your passions influence your work?

They don’t just influence it, they are the work. If I’m obsessed with mini bikes, that becomes the next project. If I’m into footwear, that turns into design work.

Tattooing was the same way. I wanted tattoos so badly that I figured I’d learn how to tattoo. Most of my personal projects are directly tied to whatever I’m genuinely excited about at the moment. If I’m not all in on it, I’m probably not doing it.

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• What was it like bringing your art to life on a blanket?

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  It was such a fun experience. Working with Rumpl gave me a completely different medium to think about. It’s not canvas or a wall or skin. It’s something people wrap themselves in.

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  I kept imagining someone walking on a beach or at a campsite with this graphic draped around them. That changes how you design. It challenged me in a good way, especially with color. A lot of my work is high-contrast black and white, so getting to play with vibrant color palettes pushed me creatively.

• What was the inspiration behind your designs?

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• Both designs revolve around the idea of new beginnings. Working with Rumpl felt like the start of something special.
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  I pulled inspiration from roses, Portland being the Rose City, and the mountain ranges and colors of the Pacific Northwest. There’s something powerful about a local company and a local artist drawing from the same landscape and putting that into a product.

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• What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever received?
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• A friend once asked me if I was having fun skateboarding. I was nervous skating around people who were way better than me. He said, “Everyone else is here because they love it too.”
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  That shifted something for me. It’s not about what people think. It’s about whether you’re enjoying what you’re doing. That mindset carries into my art. I don’t chase projects for other people. I chase what feels real to me.

If your art had a voice, what would it sound like?

Probably unexpected. Like meeting someone and assuming you know their story, and then they completely surprise you.
I hope my art feels diverse and surprising. Something that doesn’t sound like what you thought it would.

We have to ask. What’s the hot dog story?

It started when I was single, grilling hot dogs on my balcony for dinner. I’d post about it and people thought it was hilarious.
Around that time, articles were circulating saying every hot dog takes 30 minutes off your life. I decided it was worth it. It became a meme. And honestly, my life is kind of a meme.

What’s next for you creatively?

My daughter. She’s nine months old. She’s my biggest project right now.
I’m excited to pour creativity into her and see how she takes it and turns it into her own thing. That’s the beautiful part. It’s not just my vision. It’s watching hers develop.

How do you balance being a dad and a designer?

Balance is a challenge. I’m still figuring it out. Everyone deserves attention, including my art practice. But right now, I’m learning in real time.

That’s part of the process too.

Follow Bryce Wong at @bbbrycewong >

SHOP THE

RUMPL x BRYCE WONG

LIMITED EDITION BLANKETS

SHOP THE RUMPL x BRYCE WONG

LIMITED EDITION BLANKETS