Dillon Stienike
Artist | Professional | Varied

United States

Born May 15th, 1980, in Yakima, Washington, and later growing up in the middle of Nebraska, Dillon Stienike spent his childhood reading comic books and listening to heavy metal music. He's lived in a wide range of environments ranging from towering cities, dark forests to open fields along with a strict father, two younger brothers, and a missing in action alcoholic mother. Growing up with such a number of influences perhaps paved the way for such an imagination. Stienike's curiosity with the unusual lent to his action packed macabre art later in life. The brutal and monstrous to him, as it seemed, pleased the senses aesthetically.

During his adolescent years, art began to progress into a form of personal freedom. Drawing acted as a means of escape for his imagination. Something pop culture and the American dream, to a great extent, lacked. He looked up to artists like Derek Riggs, Boris Vallejo, Paul Booth and Todd McFarlane. These artists had quite an impact on Stienike's imagination and art style. He also found inspiration in music. Bands such as Iron Maiden and Megadeth, with their heavy riffs and amazing album covers, fueled his imagination for months.

Stepping into adulthood he decided to move to Colorado where he attended school at Westwood College of Technology in Denver. After two years of studying, he obtained his associates degree in applied sciences of graphic design and multimedia. Forced to move back to Nebraska for economical reasons, Stienike began his quest for a career. He landed his first job at a newspaper based out of Grand Island, Nebraska, titled, The Triangle. The job was short lived as the newspaper went under shortly after his hiring. Due to the non-existent creative environment of Grand Island, he decided to start his own independently contracted business in 2007 titled, Dillon's Diabolical Designs®.

Since that time his artwork has been seen gracing album covers, t-shirts, festival posters, social networks and internet websites. He has worked with clients such as Faith Buried In Flames, Dirtfedd, Dusk Bled Down, Dreaming of a Nightmare, The Clincher and many more. Stienike's artwork for Electric Sky Entertainment's Cornstock 2009 festival has received recognition from many fans.

Determined to never let the imagination die, Stienike is constantly searching for inspiration in everything from insects to soup suds. His passion for art is stronger than ever. No matter the obstacles. He currently lives in the middle of Nebraska, with his girlfriend Staci, her two daughters, birds and the cat.

www.DillonsDiabolicalDesigns.com