Whoever thought doom scrolling would spark a conversation.
While scrolling through Instagram, I found an animated video of the fabulous TS Madison speaking with drag icon Katya Zamolodchikova. “Not the boring verses,” Madison exclaims sensually. Katya is shown laughing, with the illustrator shuffling her shoulders up and down.
This was my introduction to the phenomenal Jeffrey Aviles.
From the womb to the canvas
Like many of us, Jeffrey grew up with cartoons as a staple of his childhood. For him, they were the first source of artistic inspiration and he created his designs based on Cartoon Network and Disney Channel shows. While some artists simply pay homage to the past, Aviles sought to infuse his work with a personal touch and make it undeniably his own.
“I like to think I came out of the womb with paper and pencil,” Jeffrey laughs. “I’ve always drawn and it’s something that comes naturally to me,” he shares. Although he dabbled in fashion and animation at school, he later abandoned his studies to follow his artistic instincts. He believes, “If you do something and it comes out naturally, I think that’s talent.” »
Balancing personal and pop culture
Today, Jeffrey’s social media presence has propelled his work into the spotlight, with his followers waiting to like and laugh at his latest post. “I like not to be serious with my social media,” Jeffrey admits. For him, social media is less about counting likes and more about sharing a public diary, which includes illustrations that span the spectrum, from polished artwork to quirky animations of iconic pop culture moments.
“If you come to my page, you’ll find something you like,” he explains. “It’s like Target: You go in, there’s something for everyone, and hopefully you come out with a lot of stuff at the end. » This laid-back attitude allows Jeffrey to effortlessly switch between different styles and themes.
“Hunk” in our queer world
If there is one project that is close to Jeffrey’s heart, it’s the current one. Big piece series. It’s a colorful and playful universe – a bit Bratz meets Barbie – where the male characters come to life in all their muscular and expressive splendor.
“I wanted to create this perfect gay world where these different characters are accepting and friendly with each other,” he explains. In Big pieceeveryone is invited to the party, and there is no room for judgment. It’s a reinvented world where everyone can feel welcomed beyond aesthetic perfection. “And if it turns you on, then I don’t mind either,” he laughed.
The attention to detail, the fleshed-out personality of each character, and the desire to create something beyond just eye candy make this project his pride and joy.
From viral videos to collaborations with icons
Of course, our conversation wouldn’t be complete without discussing these viral videos. These animated gems capture beloved queer moments, often reprising scenes from shows like The golden girls or RuPaul’s Dragster Raceand adding Jeffrey’s comedic flair. These videos have caught the attention of some pretty iconic personalities, from TS Madison to queens like Raja and Tammy Brown. And time and time again, Jeffrey still seems stunned. “I love TS Madison! For her to notice me, this little artist, and share my work, it’s an honor! »
Jeffrey’s videos are an extension of his creativity and commitment to bringing humor and joy to his audience. He humbly admits that boredom was the initial inspiration for these animations.
Clearly, he’s onto something special.
“People have commented saying they’re going through tough times and my page makes them laugh,” Aviles says. Her ability to find humor in the mundane – like when Lady Gaga mentioned she had “switched baristas” to Caitlyn Jenner – is a testament to her unique sense of vision and imagination. Aviles carved out a space in our digital realm for mental rest and respite, returning feeling a little lighter and more jovial.
And his journey is far from over.
Jeffrey is working on a calendar featuring some of his most intimate drawings and an upcoming collaboration with RPDR former Tammy Brown. Her videos also caught the attention of award-winning writer-director Ernie Bustamante, who is producing a documentary about Sonia Manzano, the world’s first Latina woman. Sesame Street. Jeffrey will lend a hand in including animated shorts in the film. While his profile soars, it remains grounded, reminding us that raw, spontaneous moments often lead to the most beautiful and memorable work.
And perhaps we can all remember this as we go through life: keep that sense of wonder alive, experiment and, most importantly, never be afraid of failure.
Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière is the community editor at equalpride, publisher of Pride.com.
