For our 12th birthday, we’re letting the artists light our birthday candles. With each one, we’re looking at how their creativity has shaped this incredible journey.
As we celebrate 12 years of Displate, we’re turning the spotlight on the heart of our journey: the artists who have brought their creativity to life on metal. 12 artists, 12 candles, 12 stories – each one shining a light from that first spark of inspiration to lessons for the future. Let their journeys help guide your own creative path forward.
Will you join us for a slice of birthday cake? Remember: with this 12th birthday celebration, now’s the perfect time to promote your own store – especially with our Share & Earn commission boosted for an entire month!
Candle #1 – The Spark
Looking at Tobias Roetsch’s digital wonders, it’s hard to believe there was ever a time he wasn’t creating art.
But even his cosmic journey had to start somewhere:
I’ve been creating art ever since I was a little kid. But there was one moment when everything shifted to digital. Back in my teenage years, my parents asked if there was anything useful I could do with all that time I spent on the computer – besides just playing games. One day, while picking a new wallpaper for my desktop, I came across some cool digital artwork. And I started to think: how were these even made? And if other people can create stuff like this… maybe I can do it too?
Candle #2 – The First Steps
Birthday or not, each time ScandyGirl drops new art, it’s like unwrapping a gift we didn’t know we wanted!
Jonna has been with us since Displate’s early days, and we couldn’t help but wonder if she remembers her first ever metal masterpiece.
I can’t say for sure which artwork was the first one I uploaded to Displate, but I’m pretty sure it was part of my In the Darkness animal series – one that eventually became one of the most popular collections in my store. It felt right to have it here on Displate, too. When I first joined, I didn’t upload much new art and mostly let my Displate store sit. But that all changed after a year or two… and here we are!
Candle #3 – The Inspiration
Think you’ve got what it takes to face these deliciously monstrous kaiju from Illustrata?
Here’s a plot twist: they didn’t rise from the ocean – they were shaped by some wildly creative influences:
I grew up in Brazil during the ‘90s, and Japanese culture was super trendy at the time, especially with all the anime and Japanese video games. And so most of my works appeal to my affective memory, blending these childhood influences with my other passions, like cooking and vintage stuff.
Illustrata brought us one extra tasty gift: a sushi turtle kaiju that looks good enough to eat – but might just eat you instead! Why don’t you bring it home and find out who’s boss?
Candle #4 – The Intuition
Tiberius Ciucinciu is our meme lord, crafting art that sticks in your mind and stays there rent-free. Absurd, bizarre, and surreal – this is where he feels right at home.
Pulling it off requires some serious intuition. What’s it like when you realize, “Oh no… this one’s going viral, isn’t it?”
The “Yoink Pizza” horse will definitely get stuck under some people’s skin. It got stuck under mine, after a friend showed me a photo of her goofy ahh horse named Drogo. One sleepless night, I couldn’t get Drogo’s grin out of my head – and the only solution was to make a painting of him. As I worked on it, I saw people’s reaction upon seeing him: a sudden burst of laughter, a genuine one; the kind that almost made me spill coffee all over my iPad screen (sidenote: that’s happened before, but with spaghetti).
Candle #5 – The Ritual
Infused with Nordic runes, Ikaruna’s art transforms our metal canvas into something truly mythical. And we love when that happens.
Staying connected to those ancient sources of inspiration takes some serious creative rituals – especially when life tries to pull you off course:
The one thing I’ve found that keeps me going when things get noisy or my inspiration gets stuck is a small pause. A shift, a change in what I do – even if it’s just for an hour or two. Nowadays, I mostly switch to painting by hand in a very different style. And also… knitting! Yes, you heard right. And since I’m passionate about Norse mythology, what I knit is – naturally – Viking-inspired!
Candle #6 – The Shift
We’ve called Anato Finnstark the dark fantasy maestro before, and what better time to say it again than our birthday?
But embracing the darkness didn’t happen overnight. For an art explorer like Anato, it was a gradual shift – one that changed everything:
At one stage, I realized that technical skill, however necessary, wasn’t the goal. It is important, sure, but it’s not at the heart of what I do. What really matters is the emotion, the voice behind the shapes, the weight behind the colors.
That shift happened when I stopped trying to meet expectations and started building something that spoke to me first, before anyone else. When I embraced darker, more atmospheric themes, my work stopped being just images. It became worlds, silences, fragments of stories without words.
Since then, everything has changed: the way I draw, the way I share, even the way I understand why I create. And even now, as I write these words, I can feel it happening again. A new phase, a new search for freedom. Trying to let go of the last invisible walls I’ve built for myself, and simply create – with as few filters as possible.
Candle #7 – The Challenge
Creative blocks happen to everyone. But when you’re Icosphere – drawing inspiration from the mystical forces of nature and the futuristic promises of technology – those moments can feel especially jarring.
That is… until they don’t. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of shifting perspective:
It took considerable time for me to realize that each creative block I encountered marked a concluding chapter in my learning curve. My brain was signaling a need to embark on the next phase of exploration, and each block imparted valuable lessons that contributed to the enhancement of my artistic skills.
Creative blocks can differ significantly among individuals, as each person’s mindset and artistic process are unique. However, I believe that when faced with a creative block, it is prudent to step back from the project rather than press onward. This strategy not only helps to prevent burnout but also allows for a more thoughtful and rejuvenated approach to the creative journey.
Candle #8 – The Devotion
On the opposite end of the spectrum from creative blocks are those quiet days when nothing stands in the way of the creative flow.
For Riza Peker, that’s when gothic flowers begin to bloom!
On quiet days, this devotion to my art feels like a moment where I can truly hear my own feelings. It’s just me, my tools, and the gentle urge to create. Neither the outcome nor the passing of time matters. In those moments, art becomes not just a way of creating, but a way of simply being.
Candle #9 – The Message
It’s one thing for your art to send a message – another to hear one in return. You aim to leave a certain impression, but you never quite know what truly lies in the eye of the beholder.
Here’s what Leandrofca hopes to spark with his cute creations:
I hope that when someone sees my work, they take with them a smile, a good memory – or that warm feeling that only a cat can bring. I want my illustrations to be like little moments of happiness in someone’s day.
Candle #10 – The Collaboration
Displate is all about community: collectors, artists, and fandoms all coming together in a one-of-a-kind metal poster multiverse.
Ruby Art has always been among the Displate community’s favorite creators, and…
This has meant a lot to me! It gave me the confidence to truly pursue my passion for Japanese-inspired art and share it with a wider audience. I’ve also discovered so many amazing artists from all around the world here at Displate. It’s hugely inspiring to be part of a space where creativity is not only celebrated, but constantly evolving.
Candle #11 – The Moment
Art is about celebrating the moment – and sometimes it’s one that you’ve never thought you’d ever reach. In his interview with Displate, Dominik Mayer said:
It is so great that you can dig into whatever topic you can imagine and learn stuff that seems “useless” at first, but then everything can be the source of inspiration and a base for new ideas.
And that’s exactly how “Moon Guard”, his favorite Displate, came to life!
Candle #12 – The Future
Our birthday cake is almost fully lit!
With this final candle, we’re looking ahead for a lesson to guide the future – and who better to tell that story than Benny Productions, the man who’s traveled across planets and dimensions.
When I first started, I focused on pleasing fans and creating what I thought others would like most. Now, I know the most important thing is creating what YOU love. Whether it’s art, content, or anything else creative, express yourself in ways that make you feel confident. Don’t worry about what others might think. If your work has heart and passion, the right people will recognize and support you over time.
Thank you for being part of the journey!
Here’s to the passion, the stories, and the art that continue to shape Displate every day. None of it would exist without this incredible worldwide community behind it all.
Share this birthday cake with us – and let’s keep creating, celebrating, and inspiring together!
