In an interview with Bored Panda, Pepe told us more about his background.
“My name’s Pepe Bratanov, though most people know me as Peppy Colours. I’m a visual artist based in Toronto, Canada. For much of my career, I’ve worked as an art director and designer, which is where my creative journey really started taking shape. A lot of my work lives at the intersection of art and design, blending that sense of raw creativity with a bit of structure and strategy.”
We wanted to know what drew Pepe to the world of artistry, to which he responded: “I’ve honestly always been doing it. I was the kid doodling on homework and painting during recess. But for most of my life, art was something I did on the side, a way to clear my head when life got a little too serious. It wasn’t until the last 4–5 years that I picked it up full-time and decided to fully dive in. And honestly, it’s been the best decision.”
As for the essence behind his artwork, Pepe commented: “It’s vibrant, playful, and invites you to feel and think without taking yourself too seriously. There’s this idea floating around that art needs to be deep and heavy to be meaningful. I don’t really buy into that. Sometimes it’s art made with sprinkles that takes you back to your childhood, or a basketball piece that captures your favourite sports moment. Meaning can live in joy just as much as it can live in struggle.”
Pepe also shared more about his creative process.
“For me, it’s all about constant exploration. That’s what fuels everything. Honestly, I’d get bored doing the same thing over and over. I think a lot of that mindset comes from my years in advertising, where every new project needed to feel fresh and original. Over time, “what if?” became a habit and it’s led to some of my favourite pieces. Of course, not everything makes it, a lot ends up in the trash, but that’s just part of the process. You have to be willing to explore without guarantees.”
We were curious what Pepe hopes for his audience to take away from his work.
He wrote: “I hope they leave feeling a little lighter and a little more curious. I want my work to wake something up inside people, a brighter, more playful version of themselves. Maybe it’s a burst of energy, maybe it’s a new question buzzing in their mind, or maybe it’s just a quiet little smile. I want to remind people that it’s not just okay to wonder and play, it’s necessary. And if someone walks away feeling a little freer, a little braver, or just a little more themselves, then that’s the real win.”
Lastly Pepe added: “If I could leave you with one thing, it’s this: stay playful, stay curious, stay open. Life moves fast, and it’s easy to forget that wonder and creativity aren’t just for kids, they’re essential for anyone who wants to build a life that feels alive. Be peppy. Chase the ideas that make your heart race. Follow the colours that make your eyes light up. And if my art can be even a tiny reminder of that spark inside you, that’s the best connection we could ever have.”
“And a quote, should you need one: ‘Art doesn’t have to be serious to be meaningful, sometimes joy says everything.’”
