‍Vinnie Hager is a Baltimore-based visual artist whose work evolved from the practice of drawing and doodling. Using a vocabulary of shapes, symbols, and patterns, his pieces balance a sense of playfulness with striking, bold forms. 

Since 2018, Hager has worked full-time as an artist, translating his designs into mediums like painting, furniture, clothing, and digital art in the web3 space. Known for his collections“Letters” and “Diary” which are both available on OpenSea, his art has been featured in TIME, Hypebeast, Bmore Art, and more. 

This interview took place at the lounge at the Thunderbird Marfa during Marfa Art Blocks Weekend, where Hagar shared his thoughts on the evolution of his style, the intersection of analog and digital art, and the endless possibilities within his creative practice. If you’d like to read our previous interview with Hager, it’s available to read on our blog.

‍Note: This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

‍OpenSea: So what initially drew you to generative art?

Vinnie Hager: The first thing that drew me to generative art was probably just being on Twitter. I was going down the rabbit hole, sharing my artwork there as an alternative social media platform. Then I started to see projects like Art Blocks, Chromie Squiggles, and all that good stuff.

OpenSea: Your combination of lines and symbols is fascinating. I’ve spent so much time looking at the mural in the office, noticing the moments of repetition and flow between symbols. Even though it’s not traditionally algorithmic, it feels like your brain is the algorithm creating it.

Vinnie Hager: I’ve been learning more about generative art and trying to broaden my horizons. It’s definitely piqued my interest in what’s possible. For now, my artwork hasn’t quite ventured into that realm yet, but it’s something I’d like to explore further.

OpenSea: How do your personal experiences, culture, and background influence your work?

Vinnie Hager: I grew up in a very artistic household. My mom was really into design work, and I grew up in a household that was colorful, bright, and had a bunch of artwork on the walls. My dad worked with his hands and had a more mechanical-thinking brain. I think I inherited great genes from both of them. Growing up, I was always encouraged to be creative with coloring books, chalk on the driveway, all of that. It was just such a natural part of my childhood that it seeped into the art I create now.

OpenSea: What methods or practices help you get into your creative flow state?

Vinnie Hager: I’m definitely addicted to drawing. I always have a thousand and one ideas in my brain. Usually, I’ll wake up, check my tasks for the day, and then I’m always drawing. Social media, especially Twitter, inspires me by showing what everyone else is working on. I’m fortunate to experience the opposite of artist’s block. Sometimes I have too many ideas, projects, and things I want to create—it can feel overwhelming at times. But I consider myself lucky to be constantly inspired by my peers, other artists, the web3 space as a whole, and, of course, life itself.

OpenSea: Do you have anything you’re working on right now?

Vinnie Hager: Right now, I’m here in Marfa for a small exhibition with White Walls [the NFT art app for Apple TVs]. It’s a bit of a retrospective, showcasing pieces from the first artwork I minted back in 2020 to a new animated piece created just for the gallery show here today. Beyond that, I’m always working on clothing, murals, and other projects. For the new year, I have some broader digital projects in the works—still a bit under wraps for now.

OpenSea: Do you find yourself revising and tweaking your work continuously, or do you have a stopping point where you know it’s done?

Vinnie Hager: I usually work straight through a piece—whether it’s a painting, drawing, or digital work—and finish it in one pass. I don’t typically revisit or tweak works much afterward. It’s not exactly a “one and done” process, but I prefer to complete a piece and move on to the next one. I’m always jumping from project to project, so it’s more about creating as much as I can.

OpenSea: Was there a specific moment when your art style crystallized, or has it been a slow evolution?

Vinnie Hager: I think it started to crystallize around middle or high school. I was the kid who couldn’t pay attention in class and ended up drawing all over my papers and handouts. That’s when I began developing the shapes, symbols, and patterns I still use. A friend once asked if I’d tried drawing on pants or other objects, and that idea pushed me to experiment with different materials. From there, it all started to compound. I wanted to see how many mediums I could explore with my patterns and iconography, and that curiosity has carried through to this day.

OpenSea: What does it mean to you to be here in Marfa?

Vinnie Hager: Being in Marfa means a lot. I’ve had FOMO about this for the past three or four years, so I’m excited to finally make the trek with friends, showcase some work, and learn more about generative art and the local art scene. It’s been great soaking up the desert sun, exploring gallery shows, and attending events. I’m honored to be here and already looking forward to coming back next year.

OpenSea: Where can people find you?

Vinnie Hager: You can find me at @VinnieHager on Instagram and Twitter (or X). I also share updates through my newsletter and web store, so follow along for new projects and artwork.

OpenSea: Amazing. Thank you so much!

Vinnie Hager: Of course! Thank you—it’s been great.