At its core, Jay’s art is about expression. It’s concept-driven, often springing from a single idea or a sliver of reality that he weaves into something entirely his own. One piece, for instance, came from the phrase “think outside the box” — a mantra drilled into him while applying to colleges. Jay’s interpretation? A grotesque monster contained within a box, its hands straining against the confines, ready to break free. “It was my answer to why people say thinking inside the box is so bad. Maybe there’s something horrible inside the box,” he laughs.

But for all the chaos and complexity of his pieces, there’s a distinct sense of play in Jay’s art — a raw, unfiltered joy. He often draws on inspirations from pop culture, cartoons, and sci-fi movies. Adventure Time, Akira, and even Tron Legacy make their appearances, blended into his work in unexpected ways. His affection for these shows isn’t just nostalgic, they shape the way he sees the world, infusing his art with a sense of wonder and sometimes, darkness. “I love Adventure Time,” he says with the same grin as a kid confessing to stealing chocolate. His work inspired by The Lich, the villain of Adventure Time, is a testament to his ability to merge the whimsical with the sinister.