Rex Sterling Hamilton’s art instantly grabs the attention with its bold supersaturated colors like reds, purples, blues and golds that seem almost electric. Based in Austin, Texas, the artist believes that color can influence the way we see and perceive the world. “You see a lot of color growing up in Austin. I feel like that made an imprint on me and how I make art. I hope people feel happy and excited when they see this collection, like there’s a lot of energy radiating off them,” says the artist.
As the latest artist to join the Starbucks Artist Collaboration program, this painter, muralist and digital artist is bringing a unique vision to Starbucks merchandise. Three exclusive pieces featuring his work will be available at Starbucks locations across the United States and Canada. Whether he is reimagining the 90-foot murals or designing new tumblers, his art explores deep meaning.
“When I first started my artistic journey, I would find symbols a lot,” he said. “I think anytime you have an artistic career, you have to delve a little bit into something otherworldly to pull out that inspiration; to go down a path you can’t see.”
24 – Ounce plastic cold cup
Hamilton’s 24-ounce plastic cold cup features Texas wildflowers, with a violet bluebonnet, official state flower, capturing major attention. Although he frequently incorporates flowers in his work, it wasn’t until he stumbled upon some old family photos, he understood the reason why. “When I was a child, we would go to the botanical gardens a lot. I almost forgot but we found these old photos of us going there often, and it must have really made an impact. That’s the really beautiful thing about art, you start to do things first and then you uncover why you’re doing them as it goes along,” he said. A green ribbon which is a tribute to his son Emerald, works as a frequency line tying the visual elements together.
12 – Ounce ceramic tumbler
Hamilton’s ceramic tumbler design showcases his beloved tabby cat, Ammee, who passed away right before the cup designs were finalized. In the illustration, she is featured as she was while watching him work in the studio with an added tiniest smile. “She had been with me my entire artistic journey. When I see this, it’s an ode to her. I have become a father and a husband, and I was shedding that part of my past where I would spend countless hours by myself painting in the studio. It’s expressing this idea of almost, like, a spirit guide for the transition.” he said.
16-ounce stainless steel tumbler
The red cardinal drew inspiration from the two month cross-country road trip he took in his 20s. “Everywhere I would go, anytime we would stop somewhere, I would see this recurring symbol of the cardinal- whether it was an actual cardinal or a little stuffed animal,” he said. “And for me, I would always use that as a symbol that I was on the right track.” “These were always symbols that helped me along the way, and they always helped me get back to where I needed to go. If I can help instill an ounce of that in anybody who is holding the cups that is the goal.” he added.
