Hunter Harvey's Text Paintings Turn Typefaces Into the Main Subject

Los Angeles-based artist Hunter Harvey has transitioned to creating "text paintings" that utilize flashe paint, airbrush techniques, and masking, moving away from his previous figurative art featuring characters like Smokey The Bear and those from The Flintstones. Feeling limited by his earlier approach, he discovered that text offered greater versatility. These new works maintain a sense of humor while displaying intricate craftsmanship, incorporating vintage Microsoft fonts, digital gradients, and anti-piracy meme fonts. Influenced by LA's billboard culture, Harvey draws from various language sources, including signage and overheard dialogues. He examines the interplay of humor and seriousness in his art, deconstructing typefaces and describing Helvetica as "trusted" and Impact as "bold." The collection, titled Hunter Harvey: Collected Text Paintings, is set for release in 2026.