About Jouska's Mutt
My Story
I grew up in Cheney, Washington for most my childhood. I moved to Spokane around 2018. I take a lot of my artistic inspiration from my dad who passed back in 2017. Like myself, he used many artistic mediums such as wood carving, tattooing, metal work, painting, and fine line work. Both my parents were heavily artistic and inspired me creatively so.
I started my art journey when I was a kid. I started with the usual drawings and paintings, then switched up to sewing and making clothes (even wore a cute dress I made to picture day back in elementary school). Some years later, I was selling little drawings and paintings to family. Then came to my first big accomplishment at 14 which was getting some of my framed art and patches into Boo Radley's, a favorite store of mine in Spokane. From there, I did my first booth at Fall Fest downtown Spokane. I have been keeping up on booths and have done about a dozen or so since then including Pride In Perry, Terrian's Bazaar and the Halloween XSPO.
I have finished high school and plan to take a tattoo and piercing apprenticeship when the time is right (as well as travel and take on some other apprenticeships/artistic opportunities in other spaces). In the meantime, I spend most my days writing by the Spokane River and picking up trash or biking a near trail.
About Me
People call me Rat nowadays. I am a trans and queer artist, making affordable alternative art for likeminded people. I'm also part Chamorro and Native American. I plan to live on Saipan for a bit eventually. I want to learn and create new art that's more local to down there; like the Sinahi. Saipan has also very much been my favorite place to take photos, and I can't wait to go back to take a thousand or two more.
I enjoy staying busy and multitasking, weather that's biking while trying to write or my favorite combo of singing, dancing and cleaning my space all at the same time. I love to be down by the water most days, I am very fond of bodies of water. Taking photos, writing and being somewhere in the woods are my current main hobbies.
I am also a fan on film and music. I am getting my letterbox account in order to final start reviewing my favorite films. I really adore older and queer films, Secretary, Fight Club, Moonlight and The Rocky Horror Picture Show are a few of my favorites. And I have over 60 YouTube music mixes that are only halfway done but I can't wait to finish. I do really love all genres; I have a mix or three for most genres and some subgenres. Indie/Indie rock, old school rap/hip-hop, trip-hop, and Midwest emo are a few main ones that I enjoy. Tyler The Creator, Black Eyed Peas, Car Seat Headrest, Matt Martians and Jack Stauber are some of my favorite artists and bands. There isn't a day where I don't listen and sing along to a mix.
My Inspirations
I have always been a big consumer. My love for art and collecting it has always been present. For quite a while, I have been getting a lot of my inspiration online. As does a huge majority of people do for art and other things. But I have come to the point that all I would do is consume these cool ideas and mediums but never put them into practice. Consuming without producing for a while has been quite saddening. But then I decided to go old school, switched back to my flip phone and cut ties with most online media. I am now finding my inspiration outside and within others again.
There is so much to see and explore. Nature has always been a huge inspiration for me, and it is quite present with me now most days. From being on the river, listening to the water and winds to hiking a trail and taking a pause to see what I can notice, there is so much to see if you sit and wait quietly. I have seen new creatures I've never had the chance to see before, and you can't beat animals coming up to you. I often have some great ideas outside plus everything is just so gorgeous to watch while you think.
My dad as I had said before, has also always been an inspiration. Along with my mom and her different mediums. A shared love for juxtaposition and for odd art. I hope to one day start up a nonprofit, raising funds for suicide prevention with my dad's past work. I have made a patch of one of his designs so far but hope to have shirts, prints, and more in the future.
The dead and dying have also been a big inspiration for my oddities and other work. Being able to give a passed-on creature or little bug a new and beautiful space to lay and be adored with grace is quite a powerful feeling. I don't think we should discard such with such disgust or hate. Everything will come to pass eventually but things will also renew.
Experience art variety with Jouska's Mutt
Drawn Work
From paper sketches, fine line art, painted work to clean digital art; I can create a custom piece for you on your preferred medium. Animal skulls are my specialty and favorite.
Leather Goods
Leather skills still a work in progress. Upcycled leather belts are made into new cuffs and chockers. Harnesses and other leather goods are currently in the works...
Patch Work
Patch Work
My longest running and best product. Made with a hand carved linocut stamp and some with the work of a screen printer. I always have patches available and can make customs or just the linocut so you can do your own!
Clothing
Patch Work
Upcycled clothes turned into something new, clothes made from scratch (see above), screen-printed t-shirts, crocheted items, hats and more.
Photography
All photos posted were taken by me. Check out my photography portfolio. Photography is one of my favorite mediums and I enjoy partaking in it daily. Message me for a shoot/Ideas!
Oddities
All ethically sourced remains. Skulls, bones, dried specimens, moss, glass jars, butterflies, fur, other creepy goods all put together to make something new, beautiful and spooky.