Say hello to our newest featured artist, Aaron M. Fitzwater. Aaron also happens to be our newest pizza slinger at our Wicker Park location where you can catch his work on display. Fun fact: all pieces are for sale and can be purchased at the front register. In the meantime, here's some info about Aaron and what makes him tick as an artist and all around cool human being. Oh yeah, and ch-ch-check out his paper wizardry online right hurr.

What led you to become an artist?

Becoming an artist was never a life decision. Rather, creation is a compulsion; a constant urge to make order out of the world that surrounds me.  I’ve been creating and telling stories for as long as I can remember, and I’ll continue to do the same until my last breath. 

How would you describe your artistic style?

My current collage work is somewhat of a rebuttal against photoshop and digital art.  I want to create something that has to been seen in person to be appreciated, something that begs to be touched, something that exists outside of a screen held in your hand.

What inspires you as an artist?

As trite as it may sound, I pull inspiration from everything around me.  More than anything else, these people have, and always will be a constant source of inspiration:  Joseph Campbell, Margret Atwood, Philip K. Dick, Bjork, Shotaro Ishinomori, Rumiko Takahashi, and of course my loving parents.

What are your favorite mediums to create art in?

Ripped pages from books and plastic bags.

What do you do outside of making art?

Like any other responsible adult, I enjoy playing Pokémon, throwing a yo-yo around, and watching cartoons and vintage tokusatsu.  You’ll find more podcasts and audio books beaming from my earbuds than music, but that said, my heart beats to an 8-bit soundtrack.  I also engage in just the right amount of nepotism at my really rad job.

What do you think is your spirit animal?

A shiny Miltank.

If you were a slice of pizza what kind of pizza would you be?

The Super Sentai - A spicy ramen style pie that pays homage to the Japanese T.V. show that birthed the Power Rangers.

Anything else you want to share with the pizzaverse?

Do good.

Be good.