#1 Peace Grenade
My name is Roberta Hall and I create work under the alias of "Happy Impulse". I'm a rebellious illustrator, with some kind of anarchy and happiness sold separately.
I started illustrating because I was tired of being quiet in a world full of problems. And naively enough, believed (and still do) that art can change and shape the world, or at the very least start a conversation.
#2 Love Is Love
#3 Eat The Poor - Fly To Space
The wealthy criminalize the homeless, so they don’t have to house them. They criminalize drug addicts, so they don't have to face substance abuse as a public health problem. They criminalize the poor, so they don't have to address wealth inequality.
The existence of billionaires is predicated on the exploitation of human labor and unsustainable environmental harm. Reducing the amount of money in circulation, destroying economies.
And they will continue to do so until we have a wealth ceiling. A different world is possible.
My alias holds a simple truth about my story: that even through all of life's pain and nonsense. I try to make the conscious choice to be irrationally happy in spite of it. I will unapologetically find joy in the chaos.
Even when I'm angry at the blank canvas staring back at me, it also gives me a thrill. Because it means I care about what I am doing and making.
I am in love with the process because the process reminds me that no matter what I am feeling that I am in love with what I do, even on the bad days, or even when I'm not motivated to create. Likewise, for all the things I am not in love with I won't continuously be trying to improve and develop my skill.
#4 Say Gay Everyday
For some children, the Don’t Say Gay bill is a punishment. For others, it's a death sentence. The world is going backwards and I do not consent.
#5 Not Your Ashtray
Or rather, we are not corporations. Not us, anyway, who can’t afford space tourism amid a global pandemic. We can’t be corporations. We don’t spill millions worth of oil into the ocean. We don’t emit hundreds of tons of greenhouse gasses. And we sure as hell don’t have massive marketing budgets to tell the world “this is all your fault.”
Corporations have treated the planet like an actual ashtray and turned it all on us. Their greenwashing campaigns and sustainable missions may free them of guilt (and give them huge tax incentives). But that all falls on us as we stress to recycle their toxic products and host river cleanups to minimize our tiny footprints.
So what can we do? Well, it’s still on us. But it’s on us to hold corporations accountable. To vote. To make our voices heard. To support our communities. To redistribute wealth. To help our neighbors. To live simply. We can make change. But when it comes down to it, we shouldn't have to.
I have received both negative and positive reactions. I fully recognize that my art isn't for everyone and I love that. My art is supposed to make the viewer uncomfortable, question the status quo, and ask for better. I don't want people to avoid things that might make them think or feel. The world is full of pain, and the more we talk about the things happening in our society the more we can change and improve the world around us. Because change doesn't happen unless we normalize having the hard conversations, even when if feel hopeless. There are parts of history that have been swept under the rug and we have the opportunity to undo the cover-up, by refusing to be silent.
#6 Your Sanity Is Not A Product
Capitalism has played a dirty trick. Conditioning us to believe that our value is what we make and not who we are. Your productivity is not your worth. Don't be fooled by hustle culture. Being overworked 24/7 is not a good look and it's not something that should be bragged about.
Rest when needed and feel no guilt about it. Create a work-life balance that works for you. Work will always be there, but your health won't be.
#7 It's Fine
I've always been making or creating, but I found my home with illustrating.
Besides illustrating, I'm the host of a podcast called "Happy Impulse Unfiltered". And recently I have been fantasizing about learning how to screenprint my illustrations in-house on apparel, and to have some of my illustrations sculpted as toys for a solo art show. Keep up with me on Instagram to see how far I get into my creative endeavors.
#8 Pay Gap
#9 Photoshop Cream
#10 Are You Angry Enough Yet?
#11 Rainbow Washing
#12 Social Media Addiction
#13 Question Nothing
#14 Pride Vision
#15 Make Rent Or Die Trying
#16 Drug Moneys
#17 Your Skin Tone Is The Privilege
#18 Drink Dia-Betes
#19 The Murican Dream
#20 Earth Sucker
