With over 400,000 followers and an eye for pop culture, one Texas artist is turning some classic and thrifted art into something new and exciting!
Tyler Turnbull, a former tattoo artist based in Texas is making a name for himself by giving thrift store art a second life- with a seriously fun twist. What started as a creative experiment has turned into a signature style: taking forgotten or mass-produced paintings, and even some classics, and remixing them with the pop culture icons we all love. Think Lisa Frank meets Bob Ross, with a little Adult Swim energy thrown in!
The Downcycled Project from Texas Artist Tyler Turnbull
Turnbull brings that childhood wonder (and chaos) into his work, with his Downcycled Project, which, according to him:
…is a project by Tyler Turnbull using damaged or forgotten art to express the sheer immaturity he holds within.
He sources most of his canvases from thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets- then transforms them into one-of-a-kind pieces featuring everything from Coraline to horror movie villains to anime characters!
His art isn’t just about nostalgia, it’s about humor, rebellion, and bringing lowbrow and highbrow together in a way that’s totally Texas: bold, colorful, and unapologetically fun.
One of Turnbull’s most viral pieces (and the one video that caught my attention!)? A reimagining of Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks– but this time, the late-night diner is packed with the entire Bob’s Burgers crew. It’s the perfect mashup of moody Americana and animated chaos. Watch below as Turnbull brings this genius crossover to life, brushstroke by brushstroke:
And if you thought that was genius, just wait until you see what happens when The Office takes over The Last Supper. That’s right, Dwight, Jim, Pam, and the whole Scranton crew are getting the Renaissance treatment. Check out how Turnbull mashes up the Last Supper and the Dinner Party.
Whether it’s turning thrift store landscapes into cartoon cameos or giving classic art a pop culture punch, Tyler Turnbull is proving there’s no limit to remixing nostalgia.
Want to see more of his work (or snag a piece for your wall)? Follow him on Instagram and TikTok, and you can purchase some of his stuff here, for behind-the-scenes process videos, new drops, and plenty of chaotic brilliance.
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