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

Hi Thrift Creeper, how do you define success?
Success and happiness are two sides of the same coin. You don’t receive that coin by achieving something. You have always carried it with you; you just have to acknowledged it and appreciate where you are now.
 
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The best way to describe my art is “strange.” I purchase items from thrift shops around the Valley, cut, sculpt, and paint them into monstrosities, and sneak them back in. I love the process, but not as much as the looks shoppers have on their faces when they spot a piece. If I can gross someone out or make them laugh – mission accomplished.

When I started making thrift shop alterations, I figured it’d be best to avoid being spotted, hence the Thrift Creeper alias. As long as I can remember, I’ve always loved aliases. Whether it was Lemony Snicket or Banksy, the idea of anonymous creators intrigued me.
 
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?
I’d most likely suggest taking in the environment. Being a Phoenix native, I tend to forget the natural beauty of the area. Hiking is a must. The downtown nature preserve and Piestewa Peak are my go-tos. In terms of bars and shopping, the Linger Longer Lounge in midtown and Zia Records in north Phoenix are two of my favorites.

I’d also recommend walking through downtown. The wall art is stunning. The artist community here is out of this world.
 
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Everything I do is a product of inspiration from others. Art is never purely unique and that’s what’s beautiful about it. I can’t even count all of the encouragement and inspiration I’ve gained along the way. A lot of that credit goes to my father. He has and continues to push me towards my passion for the arts. I also wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for my wife. She inspires me every single day.
 

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