Jason Sturgill’s playful doodles are a reminder to embrace imperfection

Jason Sturgill grew up thinking he couldn’t draw. He was always a fan of illustration – unknowingly, through a passion for skateboarding and music – but it wasn’t until his 30s that he intentionally put pen to paper. It’s hard to believe for an illustrator who collaborates with the likes of Muji and Stumptown Coffee Roasters, producing apparel, murals and branded campaigns.

Despite this success, Sturgill’s journey hasn’t been easy or linear. He started out in advertising as a producer at Wieden+Kennedy, during which he set up his own online gallery in 2001. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 28 and decided to make a concerted effort to switch to graphic design. He went on to work with Dark Horse Comics and Nike Skateboarding before pivoting to illustration. In another twist of fate, Sturgill then discovered he had bipolar II disorder. Now, mental health advocacy is a large part of his personal work. “I often incorporate twists on idioms and aphorisms to make people pause and think about how it relates to themselves,” he says.

The Portland-based illustrator now runs an online shop too, selling stickers, prints, clothing and homeware out of a garden studio he built with his wife. He’s known for his charming doodles, which are peppered with heartfelt mantras that combine his signature mix of playful and poignant. Sturgill’s work feels like a reflection of his diverse references, which also hold an appreciation for the quirks of life. Among some of the less obscure references is folk art, vintage memorabilia and Japanese illustrator Osamu Harada. He’s also fascinated by pareidolia – a psychological phenomenon where people see patterns in ambiguous stimuli – and heta-uma: the Japanese appreciation of imperfection. This translates, because embracing our intrinsic flaws is a key message in Sturgill’s art as well. Through his light-hearted scrawlings, he reminds us that the one thing we all share is an imperfect human experience.