Renowned as an international artist, muralist, and award-winning filmmaker, Knight captivates audiences with his vibrant pop and street art style
During his teens, Tysen Knight expressed his artistic vision through street art, adorning walls and vacant buildings with his creations. His journey began with hands-on experiences, drawing cartoons and airbrushing designs onto denim, even crafting business logos. Never far from paint and a brush, his vibrant street art has gotten him noticed and his documentary films have achieved awards and accolades around the world.
Beyond his artistic endeavors, Knight’s heart beats with compassion. He looks outward to lend a helping hand to organizations serving the underserved in his community and beyond. He spearheads The Tysen Knight Scholarship Fund, offering young talents the opportunity to pursue art without financial barriers. Partnering with RCOE (Riverside County Office of Education), Tysen initiated a program in California, utilizing his street art brand to mentor at-risk youth, fostering self-expression and creativity.
Art Business News was introduced to Knight in 2021 and again recently to catch up with him again to learn what he’s been up to and how his career and business have progressed.
ABN: It’s great to be with you again! The last time we met was during Miami Art Week last year. It seems like you’ve been busy since then! For our viewers and readers, could you share a bit about your background, how you got started in the art world, and what you’ve been up to recently? We’d love to hear more.
Knight: Thank you. Well, I was born in Florida and raised in New Jersey, spending most of my life on the East Coast. In 2006, I moved to California, starting out as a master barber. I even had the opportunity to work with NFL Networks and the Philadelphia Eagles football team. Before I pursued art full-time, I worked as a barber, which I believe complements my artistic side because, as a barber, you develop an eye for envisioning the end result before you start.
My skills as a barber helped ease my transition to California in 2006, and once I got here, I began focusing on my art more seriously. I dedicated my days off to honing my craft, working on my art every chance I got. The more I practiced, the better I became, as with anything you do repeatedly.
I kept at it, continuing to work and meet new people. Slowly, my artwork started getting placed in various consignment shops, and I began selling pieces for $50 or $100. Then, I had the idea to create a documentary about street artists, and that film is what really got me where I am today. It wasn’t necessarily my art that caught people’s attention at first, but the documentary about making art. That’s how people discovered my work and began recognizing my name, especially in the Palm Springs area. The film really got my name out there. People started to say, “We like this guy. We like his film, and he’s also an artist.”
It was this blend of filmmaking and art that brought attention to my work and helped elevate my career. My first film was shown at the American Documentary Film Festival in 2019, a local documentary festival in Palm Springs, separate from the Palm Springs International Film Festival. One of the biggest turning points for me was when the President of the Palm Springs Public Art Commission saw my film at that festival and reached out, leading to a major contract with the city. The film really opened the arts world to me. And it’s been a roller coaster ride ever since. Everything just took off.
ABN: One of the key things this highlights is the power of storytelling. Whether you’re talking about yourself as an artist or discussing the art you create, it’s really the story that resonates with people. It doesn’t matter what the subject is—whether it’s art or something else entirely.
In the art world, and I think you’ve heard me say this before, it’s the artist’s story that matters most. It’s about the connection between the artist and the audience. Yes, people like the art itself, but what truly motivates them to bring it into their home, office, or personal space is the connection they feel with the artist and the story behind the work. They see the art as a keepsake of their experience, of learning about the artist and becoming engaged with their journey. I think that’s what you’re really getting at, and it’s a fantastic example.
I also love the film side of what you do, and we’ll dive deeper into that in a bit. But before we do, let’s talk about your art. I know your work well, and I would say it falls into the category of outsider art—street art, urban art, maybe even pop art, depending on how you’d choose to define it. What are your thoughts on that? What art inspires you? What do you most identify with?
Knight: My style leans more towards street art and pop art. I’m inspired by creativity in all its forms. I just love seeing people be creative—it really fuels me. I’m inspired by music, dance, ballet, anything within the realm of art, even beyond visual art. It’s hard to pinpoint one specific thing because I draw inspiration from so many areas.
Of course, there are artists I admire, like Picasso and Roy Lichtenstein, but my inspiration goes beyond individual artists. I’m inspired by all types of art and, most importantly, by people—the stories they share, the connections I make. A lot of my inspiration also comes from the young people I mentor. Seeing how excited they are to meet me, and how they look up to me, makes me feel like a kid again myself. They don’t realize that their excitement is contagious.
Being able to share my art and see the impact it has on students, adults, and just people in general, that’s the biggest source of inspiration for me. If I had to pinpoint what truly drives me, it’s seeing other people feel inspired by my work. That’s what keeps me going.
ABN: Tell us a little bit about your outreach. I know you have a foundation, and I know you work in schools, and I think that that’s so important. But tell us more.
Knight: It’s called the Tysen Knight Scholarship Fund, and it’s funny—I can’t really take credit for coming up with the idea. A friend of mine suggested it. I had been receiving a lot of free art supplies from different organizations, and I would just give them away to the kids I was mentoring or anyone who needed them, even homeless artists. I’d pass these supplies on to anyone who could use them.
One day, my friend said, “Dude, you need to start a foundation so you can organize this and really help people in a bigger way.” That’s when it clicked for me. I thought, “That’s actually a great idea.” So, while I was already doing it informally, my friend helped me structure it into something more organized, and that’s how the Tysen Knight Scholarship Fund was born. The idea is to help individual students or underserved people who need a boost, whether it’s confidence, resources, or financial support, to pursue their goals. It originally started with a focus on the arts, but I’ve since opened it up to support all students looking to take their education to the next level.
It’s been an amazing journey. I didn’t even start out asking for donations—things just happened organically. People and organizations rallied behind me, saying, “We love what you’re doing.” One moment that really stands out was when a wonderful group of women invited me to their home. I can’t remember the name of the organization right now, but they gathered there, wanting to hear my story and learn about the Tysen Knight Scholarship Fund.
I was so excited, fresh into the process and full of energy, ready to share everything. I told my story and shared what the scholarship fund was all about. After I finished, they thanked me and said they’d be in touch. The next day, the woman who organized the event called me and said, “Tysen, we donate to a lot of different funds and organizations, but you got the most people to write checks since we started this group.” That moment really showed me the power of the work we were doing and the impact it was having.
I was able to give out 10 scholarships to students from two different high schools here in the Coachella Valley. With the remaining funds, I partnered with the Jesse O’James Center, which is similar to a Boys and Girls Club. It was summertime, and they had a camp for kids, so I decided to collaborate with them. I organized a trip for the students to visit a museum, and I covered everything—from lunch to transportation. When they arrived, they toured the museum and explored all the exhibits. Afterward, they had the freedom to pick any spot inside the museum and start painting or drawing whatever inspired them, whether it was an artifact or a specific piece they liked. It was such an incredible experience to witness.
Honestly, it’s still surreal to think that all of this started because I decided to take my art seriously. I never imagined that following my passion would lead to so many opportunities to give back. It’s just been an amazing journey.
ABN: Absolutely, the arts play a crucial role in a child’s development. They provide a valuable outlet for self-expression and can enhance cognitive and emotional skills, which often translates into better performance in other areas, including academics. It’s unfortunate that arts programs aren’t always a priority in school curricula, but it’s great that organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs and others are stepping in to fill that gap. They offer essential opportunities for children to explore and develop their creative talents, which can be incredibly beneficial for their overall growth and success. And so powerful that you are partnering with them to build on that success.
Tysen, you mentioned that your first film launched your art career and told your story. Tell us about this second film that’s been getting all the award. What’s the title? What’s it all about?
Knight: The film, titled Homeless Street Artists, follows three homeless artists in the Coachella Valley: two in Palm Springs and one in Indio, California. This project emerged organically from my previous film, which was a documentary focused on street art as a whole.
To provide some context, the first film centered on street artists in general. During production, I found myself in Palm Springs on a Thursday evening, when the city hosts its weekly street fair. It’s a long-standing tradition where downtown is blocked off for vendors and performers. As I walked around, I noticed a homeless man sitting on a bench with a small display of his artwork. He was trying to sell his pieces, as he couldn’t afford a booth at the fair. This moment sparked the idea for exploring the lives of homeless artists, leading to the creation of this new film.
As I walked by, I felt compelled to strike up a conversation with him. I turned around and asked, “Hey, are you an artist?” He replied that he was. I then asked if he was selling his artwork, to which he confirmed. I took a look at his pieces and thought they were pretty impressive.
An idea struck me, and I asked if he’d be interested in being featured in my documentary about street artists. He was on board, but when I asked for his phone number, he told me he didn’t have a cell phone. I handed him my business card instead and said I’d be filming the next day in a different part of town. If he wanted to be part of the film, he should give me a call.
I didn’t think much of it afterward, assuming he might lose the card or be unable to contact me. But while filming at another location, I received a call from an unfamiliar number. It turned out to be him calling, just as I had hoped. He called me and said, “Tyson?” I replied, “Yeah.” He asked, “Can I still be in your film?” I said, “Of course. Where are you?” He told me he was at the recycle bin behind Smoketree Village, a shopping area in Palm Springs, where homeless individuals gather recyclables for money. I told him to stay put and raced over there.
When I arrived, I filmed him right there at the recycle bin. It was a brief segment, but it made it into the final cut of the film. After the film was completed, during every Q&A session I did, people were always curious about the homeless artist featured in the documentary. They wanted to know more about him. I’d tell them his name was Skratch, a well-known artist in the Valley who receives art supplies from the community. The audience was always intrigued and fascinated by his story.
The constant question about the homeless artist made me realize there was a deeper story to be told. I thought, “I might be onto something here.” So, I decided to document Skratch further and see if I could find other homeless artists. This led to the creation of the second documentary, Homeless Street Artists. What began as a brief segment in my first film evolved into a full exploration of this subject, and it’s been incredible to see how it’s gained recognition, winning awards and traveling around the world.
ABN: It sounds like the success of Homeless Street Artists took you by surprise in the best way possible! The initial response from film festivals was just the beginning, and it’s amazing how the film has experienced a resurgence of interest and acclaim years after its release. It’s great to hear that it’s been such a rewarding and unexpected journey. Watching it unfold must be incredibly gratifying, especially given the initial challenges and the time it took for the film to gain momentum.
Knight: Suddenly, I started receiving a flood of emails from various film festivals expressing interest in my film. They were inviting me to submit it to their festivals. I sent it to one festival, and it won an award. That recognition opened the floodgates, and I found myself in disbelief as the congratulations poured in. It was surreal.
From 2019 to 2020, the film won a few awards, but from 2021 to 2023, it seemed to be in a standstill, with no significant movement. Then, out of nowhere, the film experienced a remarkable resurgence. It took off in a way I never expected and watching this unfold has been incredible. I had no idea this would happen years after the film’s initial release, and it’s been truly amazing.
ABN: And so are you seeing the same synergy now with this film? I watched it. It’s really good. And by the way, is Skratch still around? Is he still in the Valley, still doing his thing?
Knight: Yes, Skratch is still around. I’ve seen him a few times since then. We teamed up with an organization called the Street Life Project, which helps him with meals and other support. Although he has access to shelter and resources, he seems to really value his freedom and prefers to live on his own terms. We’ve set everything up so that he can take advantage of the support if he chooses, but the decision is ultimately his.
Skratch is an extraordinary individual. He’s incredibly well-spoken and always maintains a positive attitude. I have a memorable story from 2019: when I screened Homeless Street Artists at the AM Docs Film Festival, Skratch joined me for the event. After the film, I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I struggled to manage the Q&A session. Skratch stepped in, engaged with the audience, and fielded their questions with remarkable ease. It was an amazing moment, and I felt like he saved me once again. His ability to handle that situation with grace and eloquence was truly inspiring. He’s just an incredible person.
ABN: Love it that he’s still making his art. Some of his mixed media compositions are very Picassoesque and compelling, drawing the viewer in to learn more. Here’s the question—has the notoriety and exposure of this film impacted your art career?
Knight: It’s impact has been more from a human perspective. I believe what people are drawn to is not just my art but my essence as an individual. While my art certainly connects with people, it’s the personal side of me that truly resonates. This experience has transformed me as an artist, instilling in me a deep sense of humility. I feel honored by the opportunities that have come my way and wake up each day grateful for the gift I’ve been given.
It’s important to share this gift with others, remaining humble, respectful, and kind. People want to connect with the artist behind the work and feel a part of the creative process. When they do, the art gains even more meaning, as it carries with it a compelling story and a personal connection that makes it even more special in their homes.
Looking back to when I first started in the business, I wasn’t quite sure what my mission was or where I was headed. But now, I feel incredibly blessed to have found my purpose. Everything feels aligned, and I have a clear sense of where my art fits in the world and what I need to do with it. It’s a wonderful feeling to have that clarity and balance.
ABN: Leading right into the next question: what’s your current plan and agenda? What have you got going on and what’s the plan for 2025?
Knight: Here’s the plan: I’ve just opened my new studio and am partnering with an organization in the desert called Variety, The Children’s Charity of the Desert. We’re setting up free art classes for kids right here in my studio.
Additionally, I’m working on another film project with my son. He’s a young filmmaker who has been creating a documentary about me. He’s interviewed my family, including my mom and dad, and unearthed old photos to dive into my personal story. This documentary, titled The Tysen Knight Experience: The Art of Manifestation and Purpose, is set to release in 2025. It’s been an incredible journey documenting my life with my son and family, and I’m excited to share it with you when it’s ready.
Looking ahead to 2025, I’m planning more art classes, traveling, and community work. I just returned from Belize, where I was working with children, and I have several mural projects in the works. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic year, and I’m really looking forward to it.
ABN: We’d love to see the film when it’s ready! You’ve always approached things with genuine care, appreciation, and a core belief in abundance, and it’s clear that those values have served you well. Congratulations on all your success. It’s been wonderful catching up with you today. Thank you so much!
Tysen Knight website: https://www.tysenknight.com
Street Art film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeK9MFmKjWE
Homeless Street Artist film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd0ZSaxxn_M
