Born in 1981 in Kingston, Jamaica, artist Anwar Cushnie seamlessly blends digital expertise with a traditional background in tattooing, illustration, and graphic design. Having studied Art Fundamentals briefly at Sheridan College, he later discovered a renewed passion for the arts while attending Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design, where he received his Graphic Design certificate in the spring of 2023. Transitioning from a traditional art style to a digital one marked a transformative journey for many artists. For Anwar Cushnie, this shift blended his foundational skills in tattooing, illustration, and graphic design with the vast possibilities of digital mediums. Evolving beyond the constraints of physical tools, Cushnie embraced the digital realm, allowing him to explore diverse techniques. This transition empowered him to seamlessly navigate between surrealism, comic, pop art, and realism, broadening the scope of his artistic expression. The adaptability of digital tools enabled him to curate themes around cultural and historical moments with newfound flexibility. Embracing influences from past artists like Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali, as well as taking various cues from more recent contemporaries such as Sam Cox (Mr. Doodle), and the late Virgil Abloh, Cushnie applied these inspirations to his evolving, complex yet simplistic digital style. This enigmatic shift not only expanded his creative repertoire but also positioned him as a dynamic force in tattoo studios as well as artistic projects across the greater Toronto area and spreading through North America. In essence, Cushnie's journey exemplifies the dynamic synergy between traditional artistic roots and the boundless possibilities offered by digital mediums, showcasing how this transition can open doors to innovative, multi-dimensional creativity.

Anwar Cushnie

Born in 1981 in Kingston, Jamaica, artist Anwar Cushnie seamlessly blends digital expertise with a traditional background in tattooing, illustration, and graphic design. Having studied Art Fundamentals briefly at Sheridan College, he later discovered a renewed passion for the arts while attending Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design, where he received his Graphic Design certificate in the spring of 2023. Transitioning from a traditional art style to a digital one marked a transformative journey for many artists. For Anwar Cushnie, this shift blended his foundational skills in tattooing, illustration, and graphic design with the vast possibilities of digital mediums. Evolving beyond the constraints of physical tools, Cushnie embraced the digital realm, allowing him to explore diverse techniques. This transition empowered him to seamlessly navigate between surrealism, comic, pop art, and realism, broadening the scope of his artistic expression. The adaptability of digital tools enabled him to curate themes around cultural and historical moments with newfound flexibility. Embracing influences from past artists like Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali, as well as taking various cues from more recent contemporaries such as Sam Cox (Mr. Doodle), and the late Virgil Abloh, Cushnie applied these inspirations to his evolving, complex yet simplistic digital style. This enigmatic shift not only expanded his creative repertoire but also positioned him as a dynamic force in tattoo studios as well as artistic projects across the greater Toronto area and spreading through North America. In essence, Cushnie's journey exemplifies the dynamic synergy between traditional artistic roots and the boundless possibilities offered by digital mediums, showcasing how this transition can open doors to innovative, multi-dimensional creativity.

Available to hire

Born in 1981 in Kingston, Jamaica, artist Anwar Cushnie seamlessly blends digital expertise with a traditional background in tattooing, illustration, and graphic design.
Having studied Art Fundamentals briefly at Sheridan College, he later discovered a renewed passion for the arts while attending Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design, where he received his Graphic Design certificate in the spring of 2023.
Transitioning from a traditional art style to a digital one marked a transformative journey for many artists. For Anwar Cushnie, this shift blended his foundational skills in tattooing, illustration, and graphic design with the vast possibilities of digital mediums. Evolving beyond the constraints of physical tools, Cushnie embraced the digital realm, allowing him to explore diverse techniques.
This transition empowered him to seamlessly navigate between surrealism, comic, pop art, and realism, broadening the scope of his artistic expression. The adaptability of digital tools enabled him to curate themes around cultural and historical moments with newfound flexibility.
Embracing influences from past artists like Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali, as well as taking various cues from more recent contemporaries such as Sam Cox (Mr. Doodle), and the late Virgil Abloh, Cushnie applied these inspirations to his evolving, complex yet simplistic digital style. This enigmatic shift not only expanded his creative repertoire but also positioned him as a dynamic force in tattoo studios as well as artistic projects across the greater Toronto area and spreading through North America.
In essence, Cushnie’s journey exemplifies the dynamic synergy between traditional artistic roots and the boundless possibilities offered by digital mediums, showcasing how this transition can open doors to innovative, multi-dimensional creativity.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Traffic Controller at Shambhala Music Festival
July 1, 2025 - Present
Responsible for parking incoming and directing outgoing vehicles for 20,000 attendees over 5 days.
Administrative & Marketing Intern at NBA HBCU Fellowship – Toronto Raptors
August 1, 2024 - September 11, 2025
Assisted in managing office administrative tasks, document preparation and scheduling. Coordinated internal communications and developed monthly activity calendars for staff.
General Labourer & Logistics Assistant at Cofa Construction
March 1, 2023 - September 11, 2025
Assisted in office administration, clerical tasks, data entry and reporting. Coordinated office inventory and distribution of construction materials.
Owner/ Administrator at Kush Concepts Limited
February 1, 2022 - September 11, 2025
Managed business operations, including bookkeeping, payroll, and financial transactions. Responsible for scheduling of appointments and business development strategies.
Owner/ Administrator at Harbourview Tattoos
December 1, 2018 - September 11, 2025
Responsible for daily office operations, scheduling, and customer correspondence. Managed financial transactions, including accounts payable and receivable.
Security Guard / Bouncer at Reactive Security
March 1, 2015 - September 11, 2025
Access Control & Patron Safety: Monitored premises to prevent theft, violence, and infractions of rules. Controlled access for patrons, verified identification and enforced establishment policies. Conflict De-escalation to calm tense situations.
Traffic Control Team at Shambhala Music Festival
July 1, 2025 - Present
Responsible for parking incoming and directing outgoing vehicles for 20,000 attendees over 5 days.
Administrative & Marketing Intern at Toronto Raptors
August 31, 2024 - September 11, 2025
Assisted in managing office administrative tasks, document preparation and scheduling. Coordinated internal communications and developed monthly activity calendars for staff.
General Labourer & Logistics Assistant at COFA Construction
March 31, 2023 - September 11, 2025
Assisted in managing office administration, clerical tasks, data entry, and reporting. Coordinated office inventory and distribution of construction materials.
Owner/ Administrator at Kush Concepts Limited
February 28, 2022 - September 11, 2025
Managed business operations, including bookkeeping, payroll, and financial transactions. Responsible for scheduling of appointments and business development strategies.
Owner/ Administrator at Harbourview Tattoos
December 31, 2018 - September 11, 2025
Responsible for daily office operations, scheduling, and customer correspondence. Managed financial transactions, including accounts payable and receivable. Provided administrative support and maintained high standards of client service.
Security Guard / Bouncer at Reactive Security
March 31, 2015 - September 11, 2025
Access Control & Patron Safety: Monitored premises to prevent theft, violence, and infractions of rules. Controlled access for patrons, verified identification and enforced established policies.
Traffic Control Team at Shambhala Music Festival
July 5, 2025 - September 11, 2025
Responsible for parking incoming and directing outgoing vehicles for 20,000 attendees over 5 days; assisted with stage and equipment setup and takedown
Administrative & Marketing Intern at Toronto Raptors – NBA HBCU Fellowship Selection
August 31, 2024 - September 11, 2025
Assisted in managing office administrative tasks, document preparation and scheduling; coordinated internal communications and developed monthly activity calendars for staff.
General Labour & Logistics Assistant at Cofa Construction
March 31, 2023 - September 11, 2025
Supported onsite operations including logistics coordination and clerical tasks; managed inventory and distribution of construction materials.
Owner/ Administrator at Kush Concepts Limited
February 28, 2022 - September 11, 2025
Managed business operations including bookkeeping, payroll, and financial transactions; scheduled appointments and led business development activities.
Owner/ Administrator at Harbourview Tattoos
December 31, 2018 - September 11, 2025
Directed daily operations, scheduling, and customer communications; managed financial transactions including accounts payable/receivable and maintained high client service standards.
Security Guard / Bouncer at Reactive Security
March 31, 2015 - September 11, 2025
Access control and patron safety: monitored premises to prevent theft, violence, and infractions of rules; controlled access, verified IDs, and enforced policies; de-escalated conflicts.

Education

Certificate in Graphic Design at Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design
January 1, 2023 - September 11, 2025
Fundamentals in Arts College Program at Sheridan College
January 1, 2002 - September 11, 2025

Qualifications

Certificate in Graphic Design
January 1, 2023 - September 11, 2025
Fundamentals in Arts College Program
January 1, 2002 - September 11, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Retail, Real Estate & Construction, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality