Creator Spotlight with Artist Carl Cleanthes
This week, we are pleased to spotlight artist and Co-Chair of the Advocacy Committee at the Graphic Artists Guild, Carl Cleanthes. Carl has mentored countless up-and-coming design students through portfolio reviews, guest lectures, and meet-and-greets. After reading his spotlight blog, follow Carl on Instagram and X (Twitter).
What was the inspiration behind becoming a creator? What do you enjoy most about the creative process?
I was raised by a professional artist, so creativity was literally in the air I breathed growing up. My earliest memories are of watching my father work at his drafting table, surrounded by ink, paper, and imagination. That imprint never left me. What I enjoy most now is the transformation,the way raw emotion, memory, or even grief can be turned into something beautiful and meaningful. I call some of my work “posthuman collaboration” because I’m creating art with my late father’s work as a base, carrying on his legacy using new tools like AI. It’s deeply personal and incredibly powerful.
Can you talk through your creative process? How long does it take? Does everything you produce make money?
I have two distinct creative identities: one as founder of Epic Made, my animation and branding studio that works with major entertainment and tech brands; and another as Colorful Carl, my personal art brand where I explore fantasy, storytelling, and emotional depth. My process often involves blending analog and digital tools, and when AI is used, it’s part of a much larger, hands-on workflow. Not everything I make is about money and I’m okay with that. I believe in creating for the sake of connection, experimentation, and joy. But when it does hit, it can be life-changing.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about your line of work?
People often think digital art, or animation or NFTs, is somehow less “real” or less valuable than traditional work. They assume that if you use tools like Photoshop, AI, or blockchain, you’re somehow skipping the hard part. But creativity isn’t in the tools; it’s in the intention and expression. Every pixel, brushstroke, or decision in my work is rooted in decades of study, emotional labor, and storytelling. There’s nothing “easy” about doing this right.
When did you first become aware of copyright, and why?
I became seriously aware of copyright when I started selling our design and illustrations professionally, and even more so when I began creating NFTs and AI-assisted art. The stakes became personal when I realized just how vulnerable artists are in this new digital landscape. That’s what pushed me into advocacy, because if creators like myself, don’t shape the future of copyright for ourselves, someone else will, and it won’t be in our favor.
How has AI technology impacted your works and career?
AI is the biggest creative and ethical disruptor I’ve ever encountered. I use AI tools sparingly and responsibly, as collaborative conceptualizations or idea generators trained only on work I own the rights to. I coined the term Posthuman Collaboration to describe this practice. But I’ve also seen firsthand how unethical AI scraping has harmed fellow artists. It’s part of why I serve on the Guild’s advocacy committee. We need policies that protect human creativity and ensure fair use doesn’t become a license to exploit.
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