Norah Clifford: Can you explain the genesis of your signature style, the hand drawn tattoo line work & collage floral backgrounds?
Zach Grear: For style, whether that's in my art or clothing or interior design, I will always choose maximalism. The best way to describe the origin of my artistic style is that the more tattoos I personally got, the more I started drawing tattoos in my artwork. It's become a sort of beauty standard that I impose onto the images. The floral backgrounds are all from photos I've taken, and I'm excited by how visually busy the artwork becomes when using them.
NC: What about an image inspires you to use it in your work?
ZG: Collecting vintage gay erotica is a joy of mine, and lends itself naturally to the art I want to make. The images that stand out to me are interesting compositions of the body/bodies featured. An intermingling of limbs adds complexity for how I draw the tattoos.
NC: What does it mean to you to be the cover artist for the 2026 Saints & Sinners Poetry Anthology, and can you speak more on the creation of that piece?
ZG: I'm excited and honored to be selected. Along with vintage gay erotica, I love doing portraits of my queer hero's, of which Audre Lorde is certainly included. Drawing her portrait is my way of showing the awe and appreciation I have for her, and I'm grateful for this work to be shared with those who have also been touched by her work.
NC: How do you hope to express “queer joy” in your own work, and where do you find it within your greater artistic community?
ZG: I hope to express "queer joy" by elevating gay eroticism to a mythic place. I want it to be deified, edenic florals and overwhelming tattoos. An invitation to paradise. In the greater artistic community, the biggest joy is walking into any creative space and immediately spotting other queer artists. Even if I don't know them personally the feeling that repeats in my mind and body is always "this is where I'm supposed to be".
NC: You’re also a writer, how do you see your writing and visual art engaging with one another?
ZG: If my visual art is about summoning deities, then writing for me is engaging with being a mere mortal. I enjoy utilizing words in my visual art as stand-alone beacons. Short clues to the larger visual piece. When writing, words are everything, so the challenge is evoking a vision through them.
