Meet Ethan Bright | Sticker Artist & Pharmacy Tech

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ethan Bright and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ethan, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
When I was growing up in the 90’s, I remember fondly the place Stickers had in our lives. It was how you personalized your school stuff. Last year, I was watching one of my All-Time Favorite Creature Features, “Gremlins” and thought to myself, “man, I wish I had some stickers of Stripe”, the titular Gremlin. Like lightning, I had my “Moment of Clarity” and just started turning my art focus toward making stickers from my favorite franchises. I decided to set myself apart I would try and select a Theme that ties together three franchises. I started with “Bad Eggs” and just put them all over my stuff like when I was a kid. The more I continued, the more people started asking “Do you sell these?” or “Are you going to do ‘this’ Franchise?” and the rest is kind of history. I just try to adhere to the idea of the Theme and try to draw my favorite characters, creatures, logos what have you!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I grew up in rural Northern Michigan without a lot of art programs other than the basics provided by public education. I always was told I had talent, but it only became my focus in high school, when I would make comics for my friends to read at the lunch table. I keep those early Neanderthalic-esque drawings to this day to remind myself how far I’ve come. I still work a day job, but I’ve gotten to the point that stickers are becoming a budding side-business. I am always improving, and I’m not where I want to be yet. BUT that’s the struggle, right? Art is my escape and seeing people’s faces light up when I debut a new Sticker Wave, when they are a fan of the franchise, keeps me going. That feeling keeps it energizing for me, especially when things in the world can be so scary. There’s comfort in the simple things and, in my own way, I’m just trying to do my part to keep that good energy alive. I try to keep it as simple as that and everything else grows from there. That meticulous devotion to both craft and kindness as my guiding star, has gotten me more opportunities that anything else I’ve tried; so, I would say that’s my main advice. Draw for Art’s sake. For your sake. For the sake of someone else in the world who randomly shares the same fandom as you. It’s worth all the practice you can invest, because eventually someone somewhere will see what you put into the universe and tell others about you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My home area is about an hour south of Traverse City, Michigan. So, most things can be a bit of a drive to get to around here. But as far as outdoor things to do, we are truly blessed in this area. Crystal Mountain Resort is a great time for skiing or snowboarding, or a heated pool if your so inclined. A plethora of snowmobile trails, rivers and lakes to fish, all set alongside the rustic town of Beulah on the banks of our Crystal Lake (a point of pride for horror fans, around here). After a long day ‘oot and ‘aboot, I would recommend The Lucky Dog Bar & Grill, with the best in-house smoked chicken wings I’ve had in my life, local music, trivia and more. It’s one of many little watering holes to duck in and get out of the cold. But the ambiance and atmosphere of the Lucky Dog will always make it my go-to recommendation for finer dining and conversation in Beulah. Another favorite spot of mine is a little farther south in the city of Manistee. Nestled on the scenic main drag is a relic of the golden age of cinema, restored and revitalized for a new generation, stands The Vogue Theater. When I lived in the city as a younger bachelor, I fondly remember making a day of viewing a show at The Vogue, hiking the riverside boardwalk, and dining at my favorite hole-in-the-wall bar in Manistee: River Street Station. I recommend the patio seating in the summer overlooking the Manistee River as it flows out to Lake Michigan. It can’t be beat.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family and closest friends have always inspired me to keep practicing, even when I wanted to give up; when I thought I wasn’t ever going to get good enough. Heck, what artist doesn’t struggle against that? But when the people you trust to be honest to you keep telling you to keep going, it means something. You just have to believe it. Even when you don’t. Believe it.

Website: https://ko-fi.com/ebriart

Instagram: @ebriart