Nick Ross showed up at the Royal Bison fair five years in a row, standing next to his custom designed movie posters, sometimes wandering around other booths, and silently deciding if he was as talented as those trained artists in the town.
“I’m a trackpad illustrator,” confessed Ross, who looks almost identical to his bearded cartoon icon. “I draw everything with two fingers on the laptop trackpad. Not very artist-like, is it?”
Ross gained attention for his local theatre poster design series, which captures full exterior design details of Edmonton’s theatres, each underneath a soft-toned sky. The series started with the Garneau Theatre and comes with two modes: day and night.
“Everyone has a certain memory made at the Metro Cinema,” interprets Ross. “Maybe it was a Sunday afternoon. Or maybe it was when they went to see The Room at 11 p.m., and saw the neon lights shining above the street.”
Inspired by American print art company Mondo, Ross infused his passion for movie posters with a customized design style. He was surprised to see his Detective Pikachu and Fantastic Mr. Fox posters selling themselves at the fair, despite the designs being ridiculously adorable.
“They’re niche. Some people don’t even know that the scene was from a movie,” chuckles Ross. “Maybe it’s better not to over explain the references. I’m still surprised when anyone compliments my art, truly.”
Shop posters and art prints at Nick Boss Ross Art.
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