[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Meet North Hollywood 8-bit resin artist Stacey Hughes of Us Artworks. Our NoHo Artist Feature is a way to highlight the visual artists who call NoHo home. And to say THANK YOU!
Us Artworks is the masterful work of artist Stacey Hughes and she is not your typical pixel artist. Working with resin tiles instead of a digital canvas, she hand-paints individual squares to build vibrant, 8-bit compositions from the ground up, transforming a nostalgic art form into something entirely her own.
Her technique is as demanding as it is distinctive. Each piece is built with painstaking precision, and Stacey doesn’t hesitate to start over multiple times until a work meets her exacting standard. The result is immersive art that carries the weight of both craft and intention, resonating with gaming enthusiasts and art collectors alike.
How did you first find your way into visual art, and was there a moment when you knew this wasn’t just a hobby anymore?
I found my way into visual art through a desire to create things that make people smile – pieces that remind them of childhood and spark a sense of nostalgia in such a fast-moving digital age. What started as play quickly became purpose. When I developed my technique and realized it felt uniquely mine, I knew this wasn’t just a hobby anymore – it was something I wanted to grow and commit to.
Take a look at Stacey’s process.
Do you have a favorite piece you’ve created? What makes that one stand out to you personally?
One of my favorite pieces I’ve created is my Mike Tyson Punch-Out!! piece. As the final boss of the game, he represents getting knocked down and having to try again. I could never beat him personally, but I always remember going back for another round. That lesson stuck with me. When you get knocked down, you get back up — and that mindset still carries into my life and my art today.
What’s been the most challenging piece you’ve created so far, and why?
The most challenging piece I’ve worked on was my reinterpretation of Starry Night, titled Pixel Night. With over 6,000 individually hand-painted tiles, it demanded a level of patience and discipline I hadn’t fully tested before. Each tile mattered. There was no rushing it — just steady focus and commitment. The challenge wasn’t only in the execution, but in staying connected to the vision from start to finish. It stretched me as an artist and showed me what I’m capable of when I commit fully to an idea.
If time, money, and logistics weren’t an issue, what dream art project would you create?
My dream project would be a massive public mural or sculptural installation that celebrates nostalgic icons — something instantly recognizable that connects generations. Using my raised tile technique or painted squares at an architectural scale, I’d create a piece that shifts depending on how close you stand to it. From far away, it feels iconic. Up close, it becomes thousands of hand-painted moments. I’d want it to live in a high-traffic public space — somewhere people pass every day — so it becomes part of the emotional landscape of the city.
If someone has never seen your work in person, what’s the biggest difference between viewing it online versus standing in front of the actual piece?
The biggest difference between viewing my work online and seeing it in person is the texture and dimension. In photos, you see the image — but in person, you see the structure behind it. The individual “tiles” physically rise off the board, and you can catch the brushstrokes within each one. There’s depth, shadow, and subtle movement that simply can’t be fully captured on a screen. Experiencing it in person makes the piece feel more alive and intentional.
What’s one realistic art project – mural, installation, or pop-up – that could genuinely beautify North Hollywood, and what would it add to the neighborhood visually or emotionally?
I’d love to see the old Wells Fargo building on Victory near Laurel Canyon transformed into a large-scale mural. It’s visible from all around and sits at a major crossroads, which gives it the potential to speak to a wide audience every day. With a strong message or image, the mural could shift the emotional tone of the space — from something easily passed by to something people actually notice and connect with. It could offer a moment of inspiration, familiarity, or even joy in an otherwise routine stretch of the neighborhood.
What’s coming up for you?
What’s coming up next for me are a couple of art fairs this year — one in San Francisco and another in Santa Monica later on. I’m excited to share my work with new audiences and continue growing in different markets. At the same time, I’ve been exploring new resin shapes that completely shift the feel and vibe of my pieces. It’s opening up a new creative direction for me, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it evolves
Keep in Touch with Us Artworks Artist Stacey Hughes
www.UsArtworks.com | @UsArtworks | UsArtworksEmail@gmail.com
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