Today we’d like to introduce you to Frankie Yoshi.
Hi Frankie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been an artist ever since I can remember! I would doodle on homework all the time and draw comics for my family when I was a kid. I even made my own newspaper in middle school. I used my dad’s typewriter to write the weather, a couple blurbs, and hand draw one page comics for each copy. I would pass it around class at school and then eventually make copies at the library so I could save time on drawing.
I started taking art more seriously when I was around 15 years old. I branched out and met some people in the local music scene and I started asking bands if they needed anybody to make art for them. I started making show posters, then making logos for smaller businesses around Grand Rapids. I made a LOOOT of posters in high school for different events, which led to designing t-shirts and album covers. I also got into making zines around 2015, which was something I had heard about on Tumblr. In 2016, I met some local artists and began venturing off into the world of DIY art and music. I attended Chicago Zine Fest, and I had a friend who sold some of my art at their table for me. That led to me getting into my first solo art market, Grand Rapids Zine Fest later that summer! I also started a record label called Deadplant Records in high school with a close friend, and we designed and recorded all the cassette tapes and CDs ourselves.
I started making my own stickers, shirts, and prints at home. It wasn’t perfect, but I love to make stuff. I made a lot of random art for zines, and art open calls I would see online. After high school, I didn’t go to college. I decided I would just work somewhere and make art too. I began freelancing and putting myself out there more and I met a lot of people in GR, Detroit, Kalamazoo, and Chicago. I started getting commissions from people all over the world and I really felt like I had started my art career then. In 2020, I moved to Austin, Texas and got a job down there. I never stopped making art! I moved back home to Michigan after a few years and still pushed through hard times to keep making art.
In 2025, I actually celebrated 10 years of my art brand “stolenchapstick”! I’ve grown a lot since I started. I’m still freelancing and picking up projects whenever I have an opportunity to. Right now, I’m still making comics and illustrations and posting them to Instagram.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No! But that’s okay. I think that’s part of the process. Some years were easier than others in terms of creativity and connecting with people, I don’t think it has or will be a 100% smooth journey. I wouldn’t want it to be. Some of my struggles were not having access to some of the supplies that my peers are able to use, I don’t have a studio space or warehouse or offers for opportunities all the time. I think that can be a misconception for an artist who may seem to be doing really well, when in reality I’ve built my career from the ground up all by myself!
I didn’t go to an art college after high school, I started my projects in the beginning at home when I lived with my family. I have a very “printing comics late at night and making DIY stickers in my mom’s basement” type of vibe (since that’s what I did for many years haha. thanks Mom!) I would dumpster dive and take any materials from the recycle bins to make sketchbooks with, find cardboard to paint on and experiment with. Sometimes it would straight up be trash and I would figure out how to get dry markers or pens to work again. Besides the special occasions like birthdays or holidays, I got really creative not having money to spend on materials. I used what was around me. I also put myself out there a lot to meet people and let them know who I was and what my art was about. I always struggled with anxiety and had some moments with depression so looking back I’m proud that I’ve gotten this far even though it was hard. It’s also funny to think about how my anxious teenager self was also still super ambitious, I wanted to follow my dream of being an artist and even if it scared me to take risks I would do it.
I would often get rejected from publishers I was sending my work to. I was fed up with that. It felt super discouraging. I started self-publishing my own work and it just kinda took off from there. My path has not been conventional whatsoever, and I’m happy that it was that way. I appreciate the struggles I went through so I could get here. I’ve learned a lot not only as an artist but also as a person. I’d compare myself a lot to my peers in my early 20s wishing I was able to do more. So, I pushed myself to do it! I don’t remember when exactly but it felt like a switch went on and my mindset flipped completely. Even though it can still be nerve wrecking sometimes, I’d think: “Who else is going to do it for me if it’s not me?”
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I make comics, illustrations, and zines under the name stolenchapstick. I’m known for being a DIY artist and making art about everyday life. I’m most proud of pushing myself to make art that may seem simple but actually has many layers. I think that’s what sets me apart from others. A lot of my work reflects how I feel, so it can be relatable. My characters aren’t super complicated, actually they’re pretty simple too haha. I like that my characters themselves aren’t complex because I can express emotions through my writing or designs and they can be recognizable! I want my work to be accessible to everybody.
What are your plans for the future?
Right now I’m working on a monthly newsletter called BOP WORLD. I’d love to publish a book in the next few years if I can! It could be my comics or just an art book collection type thing. I’m always down to try new things and learn more skills I can incorporate into my art. I also currently run a small DIY publishing project called Stinky Shoe Press. We release zines and cassettes! I also want to re-launch my skateboarding project. I started it a few years ago called Billy Skate. It features my character Billy, he’s a guy wearing a blue cat mascot costume. No other big changes right now, but always holding my door open to where life takes me 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stolenchapstick.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stolenchapstick/
- Twitter: https://x.com/stolenchapstick
- Other: stolenchapstick@gmail.com
