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Ty Williams still thinks of himself as a kid. He sees something cool–like an empty swimming pool– and just puts his artwork on it. No pressure, no rules, no overthinking, just making art he genuinely enjoys creating. Growing up in the pages of children’s books, Ty credits his mother with his early artistic inspiration, always making sure he had lots of books and art supplies at his fingertips instead of video games and screens. The mixed-media artist has a Matisse-like way of blending the playful and the poetic. His art finds life in a variety of impressive mediums, from simple cheeky sketches to massive wall murals and anything in between.

We're beyond stoked to have teamed up with the New England-born artist, friend, and fellow surfer—bringing his signature style to our most responsibly made Saltwater Slub tees and tanks. We had a chance to talk with Ty to hear more about his artistic process and his inspiration for our collaboration.

Let’s start from the top. Where were you born, raised, and currently reside?

Born in New England in the '80s, I grew up between Maine and the US Virgin Islands until I was 11, when my family decided to move back to Maine full-time. I am currently living a few miles from the horse farm I grew up on today.

Does your upbringing influence your artwork at all? 

My dad was an antique auctioneer and builder, so I was surrounded by vintage things from a young age. My mom and dad briefly had a seafood restaurant off the coast of Maine on one of its outer islands, which certainly influenced me as well–seafood packaging, sign lettering, and boat letterings.  I know that traveling in the Caribbean with my parents and their interest in the past shaped a lot my aesthetic. I suppose all of it has affected me now.

What drew you to making art in the first place?

I grew up in the pages of children's books. My mother always made sure I had lots of books, and she would buy art supplies and have them out on the table for me and my sister. She certainly urged creativity over video games and screens, etc. The ocean was always at the forefront of my creative inspiration. I loved drawing sharks and imagining I was a marine biologist keeping records of dolphins and reef life. My love for the ocean eventually led to riding waves and skateboarding. Once I was in college and saw friends pursuing art as a career path, I was interested in seeing what I could do. Skateboarding, surfing, and making stuff became my holy trinity by the time I was 20.

How has your work changed over time, and what influenced that evolution?

More travels and more time drawing combined with less of an urge or pressure to be a certain type of artist has put me at whatever this point is. I make things I enjoy creating. I take breaks. I still think I'm a kid. And I hope that comes through to people in the work. I'm also really thankful that I get to do this and that it pays for my food and where I choose to live–most of the time.

 What’s a place, memory, or experience that keeps showing up in your art?

I reflect on the first time I stood up on a surfboard in Maine and road down the line of a wave for the first time - rather than riding the white-water straight in. That weightless gliding feeling would beautifully hijack the rest of my life. 

Do you start with a clear vision, or does your work evolve as you create? 

I often times draw a handful of doodles and then let chance have some input. If I'm creating things for myself or a brand, how I approach beginning a project is very different. I always try to be loose.

 As a mixed-media artist, you create on an impressive variety of canvases, from blank walls to swimming pools, clothing, and more. What's one of your favorite mediums to create on? Is there a particularly memorable creation that sticks out? I imagine a swimming pool would be insane!  

Similar to riding different types of waves, I enjoy playing with various materials and mediums. It's all different in the outcome, but I approach them all relatively light and loose. Life is stressful enough and making things should be a release, so I bounce between varying ones to keep it healthy. I love murals and being outside, but I also get excited to get cozy with a sketch journal and some pencils and draw. 

 What’s one tool or medium you can’t live without?

Some cheap brushes, a journal, and hummus and seed crackers.

 If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

Saul Steinberg. I love Saul’s line drawings, and I think a day in the studio with him would be a masterclass for me. 

 What’s a lesson you’ve learned through your art that applies to life?

That it's going to change, and with lots of hours, you will find "your way" or at least "a way." 

 When did you first get connected with Outerknown?

I met John Moore over a decade ago when I lived in Los Angeles. I was always inspired by his approach to thoughtfulness and the brands he worked with and created. Outerknown really is an amalgamation of creativity and thoughtfulness, and that's special to me today. And for me, being from New England, where we are very hard on products, it's important for something to be made to have longevity. 

 We LOVE the artwork for our t-shirt collaboration. So groovy and vibey. What was the inspiration for the artwork?

The drawings are pencil drawings directly from my journals! When I travel, I'm scribbling a lot—a long layover at an airport, etc. 

You may have seen or heard our tagline, "Find Your Outerknown." Finding your Outerknown is encouraging the thing that makes your body glow, your mind buzz, your spirit sing. What would you say your Outerknown is?

My Outerknown is to surrender to the movement. I feel the most alive when I am swept along and trying to do so with some form of tenderness. Whether it's surfing cold winter waves at home in Maine or sitting down to drawn an illustration for someone, the less I try and have control, the more I tend to enjoy it. 

Outerknown is also very passionate about protecting the planet. What sustainability practices are most important to you? 

I have been mostly plant-based for my whole life, and I feel pretty strongly about our food practices in the US and how it impacts our planet. That and buying less and buying used when possible. 

 And lastly, any favorite Outerknown pieces? 

My fave Outerknown piece and perhaps my favorite piece of clothing that I own are my APEX trunks that I had hemmed (I like a short trunk). These shorts have been on a ton of surf trips, hot saunas, ice baths, and days out at the flea market, and they keep hanging in there.