INTERVIEW WITH DYNOZ A1K
I first crossed paths with Dynoz last year in the most unexpected way – through a quick stash-n-dash I did while visiting Hawaii. We connected as I neared the end of my visit, but it was the small yet vibrant conversations we shared that revealed to me just how down-to-earth, genuine, and wildly creative Dynoz truly is, both as a person and artist.
Over the past year, Dynoz and I have teamed up on multiple digital collaborations. No matter the theme or concept I toss his way, Dynoz always finds a way to perfectly fuse his signature character with the vibe of the collab. His work isn’t just visually striking; it’s alive with personality, heart, and the unshakable, in-your-face energy of the streets, making it unique and unforgettable.
So when I saw his open call for interviews, I didn’t even hesitate. I knew it was the perfect chance to dive deeper into his creative mind.
“What sets me apart from the rest is probably my character. I don’t only do dinosaurs. The people who know me well know I draw a lot of different stuff. “
THE INTERVIEW
[J]: For those who don’t know you yet – who is Dynoz? Tell us about yourself and what you bring to the world with your art.
[D]: I was born and raised on the island of Oahu. Been drawing since a small kid. Dynoz started as a name I wrote because I liked dinosaurs as a kid. Eventually, it stuck with me over time. I hope to bring a positive message and just give people something nice to look at besides the regular monotonous grey walls and concrete.
[J]: Who doesn’t love dinosaurs?! That’s awesome, I agree on not wanting to see boring grey or white walls all over the city.
[J]: What’s the driving force behind your creativity? What keeps you picking up the can, brush, or tablet day after day?
[D]: It’s not the fame or the fortune. I’m driven by creating for the fun of it and expanding my skill set. What also keeps me going is the support I get. Sometimes from people who aren’t even in the graffiti scene. They tell me they’ve seen my work on the streets…That’s what makes my day.
[J]: What usually sparks your ideas when you create? Are you looking to capture a specific idea/emotion, or are you just going where the vibes take you?
[D]: There are times I do both. Some days I don’t have anything planned and just go with the flow. Other days, I draw stuff based on things I see around me (patterns, inspirational color schemes, and other artists’ work are also very inspiring). Been practicing drawing my character in different poses. Also been trying to get back into stencil art as well.
*DYNOZ TOP 10 MUST HAVES *
- Pencil
- Colored Pencils
- Eraser
- Energy Drinks/ Caffeine
- Chips or Crackers
- Scissors
- Razor Blade (For Stencils)
- Acrylic Paint
- Ballpoint Pen
- Paint Markers
[J]: Do you have a favorite color palette or go-to paint brand you always reach for? Does that change depending on whether you’re bombing or working on a piece?
[D]: I used to always make my Dyno character in green. Grasshopper green. That bright, eye-catching green. But nowadays I just use any color scheme that works well together. There have been some fails where the colors don’t jive at all haha. But it’s a learning process, so you get to the point where you have these reliable color schemes that you always go to. In my case, lol. But it all depends on what I have on hand, I’m always down to experiment with different color combos, whether it be a piece or bombing
[J]: What’s your take on this new wave of “Insta-writers” and people claiming King status online?
[D]: Social media has made an impact on the graffiti and art scene in general, where you can link/collaborate with other artists around the world. Which is good. But to claim “king status” online and all these insta-writers… You can’t claim that unless you are REALLY in the streets and your presence is known. I met Wesh MSP MTA; he does big stuff, he doesn’t claim king status, and he’s really up.
[D]: I’m not that great with letters, to be honest.
[J]: We all gotta start somewhere, I think it’s super important as artists to be self-aware of areas that need improvement.
[J]: Are you trying to leave a mark on the graffiti scene—or are you just doing your thing?
[D]: A little of both, to be honest. But at the end of the day, it’s all just creating and putting out work for the fun of it.
[J]: Where do you see your art heading in the next year or so? Got anything coming up we should be watching for?
[D]: Not quite sure what the future holds for me and my art… But I want to do more commission work for local companies here in Hawaii. I’m always down to collaborate with other artists, whether they be graffiti artists or traditional art is art, and creating with like-minded people is something that will never get old with me.
Contact info:
Instagram: @dynomight_hawaii
GIPHY: @dynomight_hawaii
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