Meet TK Yturraspe | Artist and Owner of Rogue Duck Studios

We had the good fortune of connecting with TK Yturraspe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi TK, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Honestly, I feel like I kind of needed something else besides my boring regular job to look forward to. I’ve got such an immense amount of corporate burnout. For my whole life, I’ve worked 9-5s for various corporations. I’m still working a 9-5 for a corporation. It drains me. But, working for myself, within a community I love, and creating content I genuinely enjoy, it means so much to me. When I first started out, I just thought that I’d make some cute anime pictures and maybe pay some extra bills that had come up. I never expected it to be so perfect for me. It’s still work, for sure. (Don’t let anyone tell you” it’s not work if you love it”). But, it’s work I love doing. I don’t know that my little business will ever make enough for me to quit my day job, but it keeps me from burning out entirely. It gives me work that I can look forward to and be proud of. It’s also drawn me closer to my community, and helped me learn more about myself. I’m constantly discovering new things, trying new foods, and learning from new people. The friends I’ve made while vending at shows are truly incredible and I’d be lost without them. Everyone puts their heart and soul into their items, be it soaps or candles, or stickers or paintings. Every time I do a show, I’m so thankful that I get to do something I enjoy around people I love. It’s no stretch to say that choosing to add what I thought was just an artistic side hustle changed my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Originally, I started painting anime and other characters in fun colors on canvas. My first works were very different than the art you’d see at my booth now. In Inktober one year, i decided to try my hand at black and white inks, and sold some of the pictures at my next event. Those images were so incredibly popular compared to my other stuff that I started practicing and making more and more of them. Now, my booth is pretty recognizable by the black and white art and fun contrasting booth colors. I’m proud of how recognizable we’ve become! Last year, we were approached by a famous voice actor to do some commissions and by a local convention to do their badge art and it’s been a whirlwind. Do what makes you happy. Draw what you love. It’ll show through.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Of course I’m going to recommend that we go to a convention or an event. Matsuri is a fun event planned at Indian Steele Park that has museums that you can tour while attending. The Bao Festival is an event that brings food from all over to Centennial Park to celebrate bao. Both events are two days and have plenty of thing to do and try to keep you busy for both.

Other than events, the Arizona Museum of Natural History in downtown Mesa is always a really fun time and their interactive displays never disappoint. Across the street, we could stop for ice cream at Novel, a little shop hidden in an alley across from a succulent store, that serves donut ice cream sandwiches. A short walk from Novel, there’s Jarrod’s Coffee and Tea. It’s half gallery, half coffee shop, queer friendly, and delicious.

Pho Than is a locally-owned authentic pho shop served cafeteria-style near downtown Phoenix. I would definitely recommend stopping for lunch one day.

Another of my favorite places that’s been around forever is Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol. A small restaurant with parking in the back, they have the best chicken tacos ever. EVER.

I also like exploring the local parks. My spouse and I were married at Red Mountain Park, and my best friends were married in Kiwanis. Stop, lay on the grass, watch the ducks, play some PoGo. You can’t go wrong if it’s cool enough out.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Tiff of CuteSewLuna is an incredibly talented individual. I’ve admired her and her art since I first laid eyes on them. She’s so bubbly and friendly and kind to everyone she meets. Her art is incredible and inspiring, and her displays draw eyes from across the vending hall. I’m constantly following her and taking in any tips and tricks I can to be as dazzling as CuteSewLuna. Her eye-catching designs have inspired much of my work and display as I strive to be as unique and charming as she is.

Website: https://rogueduckstudios.com

Instagram: rogueduckstudios