the Digital
Mercenary
Pope Phoenix is an illustrator with 20+ years of experience in graphic design and art direction, known for transforming abstract narratives into dynamic illustrations that spark thought and introspection for brands and publications.
What we can do together
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In Dragon Ball Z, Goku and Vegeta fuse into Vegito—combining their best traits and amplifying their strengths—my story-driven illustrations merge with the written word. This fusion helps publications visually articulate bold ideas and complex narratives, designed to provoke thought and capture attention across both print and digital media.
Magazines, newspapers, op-eds, longform journalism, and cultural features.
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A lot of emphasis is placed on the likeness of the subject when creating portraits. In my work I aim at the likeness but prefer to land on their essence. Finding the parts of their character that make them who they are while processing it through my artistic lens. My work explores identity and perception, creating layered narratives that celebrate and memorialize each individual with intention and meaning.
Commissions, profiles, tributes, campaigns, and collectors.
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They say don’t judge a book by its cover and I took that personal. I believe the cover is what gets you to the opportunity of our national past-time, creating opinions about something we just read. From conception to completion, I bring a narrative eye that enriches each book with symbolic, character-driven visuals that deepen the reader's experience while helping publishers and authors stand out in a crowded market.
Book covers, chapter openers, character studies, and author branding.
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Your brand is determined by the reputation you create with your customer. The first interaction with the customer is through your product. After a career in design and branding I understand the delicate balance of creating product illustrations that present the brand first while also serving the customer what I needs. This thoughtful narrative approach helps your brand speak in bold, artful terms across packaging, merchandise, and campaigns.
Apparel, cosmetics, toys, tech, and culturally-driven products.
Past Clients
Lets join forces.
An African proverb I believe in states: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." Let's go far, venturing into unknown places to discover great new ideas and concepts—together.