Tommy Turner, known as SAVO888 on Instagram and Twitch, recounted a memorable moment from his childhood as he stood outside the artist alley section on the balcony at TwitchCon.
Turner shared how his artistic journey began with a simple act of copying a painting found in many black households: a poignant image of a young boy with a teardrop rolling down his cheek.
When he presented his work to his mother during her weekend coffee gatherings with friends, the response was overwhelmingly positive.
“My mom was gushing all over me, saying, ‘Oh, my God, this is so amazing. You have amazing talent,’” Turner recalled, remembering the compliments he received from her friends.
This early validation ignited his passion for art, leading him to pursue a creative career.
Now a San Diego-based artist, Turner showcased his work at the artist alley section of TwitchCon this year.
He attended three years of community college, completing undergrad requirements at San Diego Mesa and San Diego City colleges, where he took theater classes under instructor Lyman Saville.
Following his teaching stint in theater at Logan Elementary, Turner transitioned into radio when he was offered a position at Z90.3.
His talkative nature as a child often led to him getting grounded, which transformed punishment into an opportunity for creativity.
“During my grounding, I was only allowed to read,” Turner explained.
However, he convinced his mother to let him read comic books, which ultimately evolved into tracing comic pages, creating his own comics, and embracing graffiti art.
“Eventually, it led me to fine art, mixed with graffiti and pop art,” he recounted, showcasing the diverse influences that shaped his artistic expression.
Among his artistic inspirations, Turner highlighted his favorite character, Silver Surfer from the Fantastic Four comics, noting the character’s “all-powerful” and “cool” attributes.
Despite his artistic focus, Turner’s career path included accomplishments in radio and stand-up comedy, showcasing his talent across multiple mediums.
Sharing his experiences on Twitch, Turner reflected on how the platform contributed to his growing popularity.
Having left his teaching job and sought a more laid-back lifestyle near the beach, Turner stumbled upon the ‘creative’ category on Twitch, which opened up new opportunities for him.
He described his excitement upon discovering artists drawing and painting live on the platform.
“I thought, I’m gonna take my skills in stand-up, radio, theater, and art, and I’m gonna start streaming,” Turner said.
His first Twitch painting, dedicated to the late rapper Biggie Smalls, marked the beginning of his art streaming journey which began to capture the attention of viewers.
Interestingly, the canvas for this first piece came unexpectedly from his neighbors who left several used canvases outside his door.
“I used one of those funky canvases to paint Biggie Smalls on Twitch,” he revealed, highlighting the serendipitous nature of his creative process.
As Turner reflected on the art community and his interactions with fans, he emphasized the emotional impact of validating support from art enthusiasts.
“All artists, we get goosebumps. We hope everybody likes what we do. The fact that people gush over our art, compliment, and then choose to buy it for their homes, that’s the best feeling,” he stated earnestly.
Expanding on contemporary issues within the art world, Turner shared his perspective on AI-generated art.
While he recognized its place within the creative landscape, he expressed a lack of concern about it overshadowing traditional artists.
“It helps artists, but if you’re just producing AI-generated art and selling it, I’m sure there’s going to be a market for it,” he observed.
Turner further elaborated that his commitment to traditional artistry remains strong, and he believes that his audience will continue to appreciate handcrafted art rather than AI creations.
As for diversity within Twitch, Turner voiced a desire for the platform to embrace more inclusivity in its representation.
He suggested that increasing the diversity of staff would reflect the community’s values and concerns, enhancing the platform’s connection to its user base.
“It has to start at the top, and once it starts at the top, the crew behind it should include more minorities,” he suggested, noting the lack of Black Twitch employees he encountered during TwitchCon.
Citing statistics, he reflected on industry diversity, revealing that while 51% of executives represent minorities, there remains room for improvement.
As the TwitchCon experience concludes, the insights from artists like Turner spotlight the evolving landscape of creativity while advocating for a diverse representation that truly reflects its community’s values.
image source from：sdcitytimes
