Stepping into the Future: Quad Prep Alum Creates Art—and Impact
Pepper (Class of 2019), an illustrator, artist, writer, and teacher, infuses their multidisciplinary work with some of their most deeply held values. Using a variety of mediums—traditional and digital illustration, photography, and storytelling—Pepper uses evocative imagery to illustrate lessons of hope and self-love, pulling from their own dreams and experiences.
A recent graduate of the School for Visual Arts, Pepper recently completed a graphic novel manuscript titled My Brain Itches. They initially had the idea for the project back in 2020, and it evolved over the following years, eventually becoming their thesis for their BFA several years later. In creating the story of the book’s main character, Pepper, Pepper drew from some of their own real-life experiences. In the end, Pepper comes to see the impact and value in self-love and finding a supportive community. “He realizes that he needs to love himself more and love what he's experiencing. That's kind of what happened to me. So, I wanted to convey that experience through art,” says Pepper of their work. “It was a long process, but it was definitely worth it. I took a lot of pride in what I had written, and it was cathartic to write an illustrated book in which the character was going through what I went through.”
Thinking back to their own art teachers at Quad Prep, Pepper says they introduced him to unfamiliar artists and concepts. “They really taught me that art isn't just drawing what you see. It's also being imaginative and really taking it to the next level. They were a great influence.”
Outside of teaching, Pepper remains busy with a number of commissioned pieces and a recent ambassadorship with the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). For 40 years, NAMI has advocated for broader public awareness and public policy to support families and individuals affected by mental illness, and is currently the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. In their ambassadorship, Pepper is joined by a cohort of advocates such as Mayim Bialik, Sterling K. Brown, and Taraji P. Henson.
In their partnership with healthcare communications network Publicis Health, NAMI commissioned from Pepper a limited-edition holiday card series titled “Art of Mental Health”, combining their passion for art and advocacy. For the three pieces, Pepper reflects on themes of hope, togetherness, and mental health. “This project is very important to me personally, as a mission of mine is to help destigmatize the topic of mental health.” In their piece titled The Art of Hope, Pepper depicts a young boy running from “their favorite tree” and joyfully becoming a man as the seasons change. Of the piece, Pepper says, “Seasons change, and years feel both long and short. We can never know the future, which is why it’s so important to have hope.”
In addition to their work with NAMI, Pepper’s been fielding a rising wave of commissions for bespoke sneakers. A fan of the horror genre, Pepper creates original sneaker art, utilizing one of their favorite motifs: monsters.
For this emerging artist, this is only the first step: in art, and in impact.
A not-for-profit independent college preparatory school, Quad Prep’s rich and robust curriculum engages, challenges, and inspires students at all levels, K–12, through our Lower School and Upper School programs. Quad Prep does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to, but is not limited to, educational policies, admission, financial consideration, hiring and employment practices, use of school facilities, athletics, and other school-administered programs.