We recently connected with Daniel Shepard Straffon and have shared our conversation below.
Daniel, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I created a personal project called “Una más y ya,” a collection of 12 black and white hand drawings. In collaboration with Corner Books, we expanded the project beyond paper and into fabric with a small clothing capsule. To bring everything together, we hosted a pop-up show at their Tokyo store, along with a limited edition zine release.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I was born and raised in Mexico, now based in NY after 10 years. Im an Illustrator who originally studied graphic design, but I’ve always loved drawing by hand. That eventually pulled me into illustration work, and for the last 15 years I’ve been working with editorial clients and streetwear brands, from The New Yorker and Bon Appétit to Volcom, Nike SB, and Thrasher magazine.
I make a mix of things: posters, apparel graphics, murals, stickers, zines, and personal art projects. People usually come to me when they want something with a human touch, gritty, and not overly digital or perfect. I try to bring the same spirit to every project, whether it’s a small personal piece or a bigger brand collaboration.
What I’m most proud of is how far my personal projects have taken me. Little ideas that started in sketchbooks have become shows, zines, and collaborations in places like Mexico, the U.S., and Japan. It feels special to see that work connect with different communities.
If there’s one thing I want people to know about what I do, it’s that I’m obsessed with drawing. That’s the heart of everything, whether it ends up on a T-shirt, a wall, or a page. I want the work to feel alive, honest, and rooted in real life.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Honestly, the most rewarding part is that I get to draw pictures for a living. Yes, it can be stressful at times, but in the grand scheme of things, it still amazes me that my ideas and my craft can support me. Beyond the remuneration, what means the most is that this passion has taken me to meet artists I admire, to travel to places I never imagined I’d see, and, most importantly, to have fun along the way!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I moved to New York. For the first seven years, I relied on part time jobs. They weren’t soul sucking, but they definitely pulled away time and energy from the work I really wanted to be doing. On top of that, I had to learn how to navigate a new culture, build community, and find a way to be seen in such a saturated creative city.
I kept taking on personal projects, connecting with local artists, going to shows, and enrolling in classes to keep sharpening my craft. Looking back, that time taught me the value of showing up for myself even when I didn’t feel like I was “making it.”
I don’t feel like I’ve fully arrived yet, but I can see the path I’ve been paving all these years. That gives me more confidence in my work and a deeper appreciation for the resilience it took to get here.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.daniel-shepard.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danyboydoid/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-shepard/
- Other: https://www.behance.net/DANSHEPARD
Image Credits
Gabriel Alvarez del Castillo