Social media is changing the way we discover and explore cultural happenings and changes. To celebrate this new wave, we’re highlighting social media game-changers in our “Social Spotlight” to hear more about their tips and tricks on navigating exposure on Instagram.
Below, we hear from the talented California-based artist Allison Tinati, known as Hueman. Known for her large-scale murals (for places like L’Oréal’s New Jersey office, and city commissions in L.A., Detroit, Wynwood, and Gothenburg, Sweden) and collaborative projects with brands (like the mural artwork inside all NYX cosmetics retail stores, Nike shoes for the USA Women’s Basketball Team at the 2016 Olympics, and an Xbox design for Microsoft), she’s also showing in solo and group shows.
Allison Tinati, aka Hueman, at the NYX grand opening.
WHITEWALL: Who do you follow?
ALLISON TINATI: Aside from art accounts, I really just waste my time looking at ton of meme and dog Instagrams. But:
@jamesjeanart: One of my favorite artists ever. I don’t think it’s possible for him to make bad art.
@ndrew_abstract_art: I love discovering new artists on this account.
@jonnyhonky: A great abstract artist I recently discovered. I love his use of color and material.
@theartofskinner: Rad artist who is also hilarious and insightful.
@officialseanpenn: My favorite meme page.
@rememberthishappened: Funny/cringey photos of celebrities from the ‘90s.
@emotionalclub: Funny and depressing existential humor
@chillwildlife: Animals being v chill, run by Jeff Hamada who also runs art blog, Booooooom.com.
@bichontori: Cute bichon with an afro puff!
@uglyworldwide: A beautifully strange fashion model that is not ugly at all.
WW: Top tip for social media?
The Tower.
Courtesy of Hueman.
AT: Images are king on social media, so make sure everything your uploads look beautifully crisp—no blurry photos. Don’t use the Instagram filters, which tend to make photos look blown out or dull. All you really need are the IG adjust tools to edit the brightness, contrast and saturation. And avoid using text on images! Make sure text stays in the caption.
WW: Best recent follower interaction?
Courtesy of Hueman.
AT: I’m obsessed with @dailydougie, the cutest shih tzu I’ve ever seen. One day, I was posting progress pictures of myself painting a mural in Oakland, and Dougie’s owner DMed me and asked where I was painting. I didn’t think she would actually show up. But hours later, a nice couple and their dog stopped by my wall to say hello, and when I looked down I realized it was the famous dog himself! It was awesome to get photos of Dougie in front of my artwork, and to give him belly rubs of course. Best day ever.
WW: One rule you live by on social media?
AT: Always be authentic! Don’t try so hard—people can recognize when you’re being real, and when you’re fake and overproduced. Use filters sparingly, lay off the Photoshop. Not everything needs to look and sound like a lifestyle ad.
Bloom L.A. mural.
Courtesy of Hueman.
NYX Cosmetics mural.
Courtesy of Hueman.
