About

ABOUT

Tola, also known as Chomp Marks, is professional multimedia artist known for their vibrant, expressive art that prioritizes emotion, personality, and artistic interpretation over exact realistic representation. Tola’s acrylic paintings are full of textured brush strokes, utilize bold colors to emphasize specific moods or energies, and focus on the human experience and human figures. “Chomp” is an alter ego who takes physical form in a distinctive style of pop surrealism portraiture, which are either digital art or traditional acrylic paintings. This style focuses on human faces and figures, characterized by exaggerated, dramatic expressions—specifically frowning mouths and detailed, intense eyes. 

Tola has many years of experience all over the United States in working with galleries, other artists, web developing/design, and fulfilling custom artwork/commission orders. As seen in the Ali Cultural Arts Center and website, Blue Koi Gallery’s website, as well as other curated gallery exhibitions, on the cover of the album “TOML”, and on many of the respective artist’s walls. You can also find Tola’s artwork on their online store and in upcoming and ongoing gallery exhibitions, such as “HER Canvas”. Tola now operates an online business, where you can purchase (including internationally) their original paintings and high-quality reproductions of their art, such as prints, stickers, and more.

Although Tola is known for traditional acrylic painting, they spent most of their childhood and current free time practicing digital art, which has evolved into the known Chomp art today. Tola hopes to explore more digital mediums while evolving their traditional practice of painting as well.

TOLA’S ARTIST STATEMENT 

I aim to create vibrant, expressive art that prioritizes emotion, personality, and artistic interpretation over exact realistic representation. My acrylic paintings are full of textured brush strokes, utilize bold colors to emphasize specific moods or energies, and focus on the human experience and human figures. The style I have been developing is inspired by the idea that our brains interpret wavelengths of light, meaning colors might vary for each person. I am fascinated by color being an agreed upon concept, but not having any way of knowing if colors look the same or different for other people. I often paint people in vibrant, surreal colors to reflect the aura of the subject, maintaining the identity with other realistic aspects. The shift to self portraits are conceptual explorations of my own identity and to reflect my feelings of isolation. To contrast the discomfort in loneliness, with the comfort in knowing you always have yourself by your side, I often paint multiple self portraits in one painting. These blue versions of myself represent another version of myself, acting as a guiding hand or a reaffirming thought. I am inspired by my own emotions, people, music, color theories, my vivid dreams, pop surrealism, and transhumanism. My recent art also shows my interest in the effects of rapidly advancing technology in contrast to our constant reminders of death and decay. 

Another branch of my art, known as “Chomp”, is an alter ego who takes physical form in a distinctive style of pop surrealism portraiture, which are either digital art or traditional acrylic paintings. This introspective style focuses on human faces and figures with exaggerated, expressive, stylized renders made to highlight the essence of an individual. Everyone can have/be a Chomp. Chomp represents the inner child and inner monologue in us all. To showcase individuality and to highlight the internal angst we all endure, there is an intentional emphasis on the way I draw the eyes and the frowning mouth. Chomp is someone who is seen as an extension of self, but also recognized as a separate entity with their own individuality. Chomp exposes both obvious and suppressed characteristics and thoughts. My intention for sharing Chomp is to emphasize that you are never alone, and there is always an essence of you beyond your physical self. Chomp has manifested into a tool to chronicle and portray personal and potentially shared experiences of life and the feelings of loneliness. The function of the name “Chomp” is to represent the impulsive need and literal act of biting. The urge is a form of “cute aggression”, a phenomenon that helps the brain regulate overwhelming, high-intensity feelings. Chomp is a representation of intuition and impulse. 

The shift in my art to self portraits, and the rise of “Chomp”, is allowing me to compulsively but meticulously materialize ideas, with the intent of sharing these personal and potentially shared interpretations and experiences of life and humans as individuals with others around the world.

MORE FROM THE ARTIST

Chomp came to me when I was a child and has stayed by my side since. Chomp’s original form of short hair and bold personality is inspired by me, as a child, full of curiosity and angst. The concept was inspired by the relationship of the famous Hilary Duff’s “Lizzie McGuire”, and her animated self. 

Growing up in the tropics exposed me to the privileges of surreal colors, the beauty of life, and the importance of connecting with people. In a quaint town on a small island, I felt both inspired and isolated. I had a very fortunate childhood but was made to feel alienated by my family and peers throughout it. My conditioned introversion evolved into a need to share my depth of perspective through art. Inspired by the artists and media I indulged in, an emotional crave for connecting with people, and the intense colors that surrounded me, my passion grew and I taught myself methods of creating. I’ve found the meditative practice of painting, the sensory experience of using different mediums, and the feeling of both rejection and satisfaction that comes from experimenting to play a large role in the ongoing process of building a healthy relationship with myself. Being able to communicate and connect with people through art has allowed me to experience and build healthy relationships with others, too. This combination ultimately fuels my desire to create. 

As I navigate adulthood almost entirely by myself, I continue to reflect on my emergence as an adult and as a self-teaching, independent artist. I have traveled and lived all over the United States, sharing my love for art, showing in exhibitions, and operating sales from my online store. I now reside in the PNW, where I continue to evolve my practice and create visual arts as a means to connect with or remember someone or an idea. I hope Chomp brings people comfort in the discomfort. I hope Chomp makes us all feel a little less lonely.

COMMISSIONING ART

To commission art email info@chompmarksart.com or message @chompmarks directly through the site’s contact page, Instagram or TikTok app. Please include the following in your message: 

Your name and preferred contact information

Specify type: Chomp Acrylic Painting / Chomp Digital Art / Realism Acrylic Painting / Other (please describe)

Specify size: 8x10in, 12x12in, 11x14in, 14x18in, 16x20in, 18x24in, 24x36in 20x30in (*if commissioning digital art, a JPEG will be emailed to you instead of a physical artwork shipped to you)

Please include at least 3 reference photos and any further explanation of the concept. You will receive a response within a few business days. This may include a quote/invoice or request for more information.

*Commissioning physical art requires a deposit before beginning any work. Deposits are 50% of the total price of the artwork. The price of the artwork depends on the type and size of the commission. Prices for physical artwork range from $300-$2000+. Physical artwork will require an additional shipping charge, depending on the size of the artwork.

Prices for digital artwork start at $30 and may increase depending on detail required. Digital art commissions require payment in full upfront, instead of a deposit to start any work. Digital art will not be shipped, unless a print of the digital art is requested. If requesting a print of digital art, please specify your preferred size and material of print (rolled paper or gallery wrapped canvas), and additional charges will be included in the invoice to ship your digital artwork. 

To view more of Tola’s artwork and to see behind the scenes, follow them on social media @chompmarks @chompmarksart