Zachary Carlisle is a digital artist whose work stands out for its blend of gritty realism and comic book flair, a style he’s dubbed “comic book realism.” Inspired by the raw energy of the Memphis underground music scene, Zachary brings a unique DIY spirit to his art, influenced by his background in punk, hardcore, and metalcore music.

Zachary is known for a wide range of creative work, including music, blogging, graphic design, and digital illustration. He finds inspiration in the the authentic, unpolished style of independent creators and favors bold, expressive compositions that feel both raw and personal. While capturing the intensity and emotion of the underground culture he loves, the artist emphasizes community and collaboration among artists.

We asked Zachary about his art, creative process, and inspirations.

Can you tell us about your background as a digital artist? How did you get started in this field?

The funny thing is, I consider myself more a writer than a digital artist, so this digital art journey really was a surprise. I really didn't start diving into the digital realm until around 2018. This was because I wanted to write comic books and I couldn't afford to pay an artist so I had to take matters into my own hands. I worked on a few projects of my own that will never see the light of day because they were so rough. It is honestly still something I want to do in the future, but we'll have to see what happens. After I started messing around and doing a few small pieces, my art started shifting from "comic book" style pages to just "one shot" pieces. Pieces that reflected one specific theme I was trying to convey.

What inspires your art? Are there any particular themes or subjects that you enjoy exploring through your artwork?

Underground art scenes. There is something inspiring to me about how artists in the underground circuit tend to have the best artistic movements. For instance, look up how the 1980s hardcore/punk movement shaped music going into the 90s. It's astonishing how much of an influence that movement carried over into the 90s and to today. Same can be said about the origins of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They started as a free zine and look at them now! It's mind-blowing. Underground art scenes are some of the coolest places to find real, raw, and emotional art by artists trying to convey their thoughts and emotions.

Can you tell us about your background in the Memphis underground music scene – how does music influence your art?

I started going to shows in Memphis around 2004-2005. It changed my life. I loved the energy those underground shows produced. I was young and angry. These shows provided me with a place to express my angst in a safe manner. After about 6 months to a year of attending shows, I joined a band as a bassist and started playing my own shows. I eventually became a vocalist for a screamo band that did pretty well for itself within the Memphis music community. Throughout my musical career, I tried to stay true to my artistic endeavors. I would sketchbook, write, and come up with song titles that paid tribute to comic book storylines I loved. After I started doing digital art, I found myself reflecting on my time within the Memphis music scene. I found myself wanting to make flyers, fan art for local bands, and such. That still carries on today.

Are there any artists or creative influences that have had a significant impact on your work? How have they shaped your artistic style or approach?

I have quite a few actually. I'll start with a general influence. That would be flyers from the 70s and 80s punk rock movements. There is something so rare, edgy, and to the point that I like about them. Back then they didn't do things digitally like a lot of artists do today. I find that inspiring because of the culture they created and how that culture has shaped so much today.

I also like artists like Butcher Billy, Ryan Callisto, and Billy Ludwig.

Butcher Billy's work is definitely inspired by 80's music, pop art, and comic book art. I love how edgy and even scary it can be. He takes some of the coolest lines from 80's music and blends it into some of the coolest pop culture references to date.

Ryan Callisto's art is so punk rock and colorful that it pops right off the canvas or screen. Depending on how you are viewing it. Ryan's work is definitely punk rock. To be honest, his work really inspires me to continue pursuing the underground side of my work. I love how punk his work is and how colorful it is. I'd like to hope that one day I'll be able to master the art of color like he does.

I think I connect with Billy Ludwig's art the most. I feel, as an artist, that it's the very definition of what underground art represents. I don't know if he feels that way, haha. His work is very raw. Very rough, but super underground. The black and white aspect of his work mixed with pop culture is dark, rebellious, and creative.

How does these influence shape my work? When I feel uninfluenced or artistically dry, I will find myself looking over all their work. 9 times out of 10 I will find myself thinking up something I can work up after examining the work of these artists.

What is a dream project you’d like to make one day?

This is a loaded question. To sum it all up, I would love to see myself publish a book of sorts. I think it would be awesome to publish a book featuring my art and my thoughts on each piece.