If there’s one thing that becomes immediately clear when you meet artist Jethro Olba, it’s that he creates from a place of memory. Looking at his art feels like taking a trip down Jethro’s lane of childhood nostalgia, while unexpectedly bringing you back to yours. His creative supply comes from early 90s cartoons like “Ed, Edd, and Eddy,” the heydays of NBA, and anything and everything that fascinates him.
Nostalgia is the backbone of Jethro’s creative universe, and it’s exactly what Plain Sight needs to bring the year full circle. This year-end collection comes with prints, apparel, accessories, and of course, coffee that will take you back to the simpler times. We sat with Jethro to talk about his creative roots and what he’s most excited about for the collaboration.
“When I think of my childhood memories, it fuels me,” he shared. “It motivates me especially now that I’m an adult and the world is so fast-paced.” It’s the cartoons that he’d watch after school that formed his creative style, like “Ed, Edd, and Eddy,” “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters,” and “Rocko’s Modern Life.” Now a full-fledged artist, his signature elements include the nostalgic color palette, jagged outlines, and sense of playful chaos that takes you back to Saturday mornings in front of the TV.
Aside from his brand collaborations, Jethro is always working on various passion projects inspired by the same motifs. There’s Antiobotic Smile, his merch brand, and Odin & Grotesk Design Studio, a branding studio that he runs with his brother and girlfriend.
The Art of Staying Ready With Off The Bench
While planning the collaboration, Jethro was fully immersed and hands-on with the entire process, from the creative direction to the conception of the coffee blend. During the cupping to pick out the blend’s tasting notes, Jethro was fascinated with the process and how it’s similar to his creative process: “I like the method and the process. Even though it’s outside art or illustration, the knowledge and the steps somehow feel similar, and I can apply that to what I do,” he said.
With Jethro having the freedom to decide where this collaboration would go, he naturally turned to his childhood. In the collection, you’ll see easter eggs of his memories growing up, from his favorite peanut butter snack, his childhood toys, and his love for basketball.
In basketball and in coffee, there’s one common denominator, and it’s the need to always stay prepared. That’s the inspiration behind Jethro’s coffee and merch collection, which he calls “Off The Bench.”
“In basketball, you never know when your moment comes, so you always have to be ready,” said Jethro. “I think it’s the same for art. You stay prepared, you stay curious, and when inspiration hits, you take the shot.”
The Off The Bench Coffee & Merch Box will be available online and at the HQ from November 30 until supplies last, so don’t miss your shot to get it for your coffee-obsessed friends and family this Christmas!
See what Jethro’s up to and explore more of his work at @jethro.olba and @antibioticsmile.
