Biography

Tobias Brill was born in Northern California in 1972, where he lived until he was ten. He then moved to Hawaii with his mom. He has also lived in Southern CA, Brooklyn, and Buffalo, NY, each time returning to The Big Island.

Growing up in rural places like Mendicino County and the district of Puna, his playgrounds included redwood forests, rain forests and black sand beaches. His city experience was crowded and noisy but also rich with art and culture.

As a child, Tobias was influenced by R rated movies and underground comics, as well as a counter culture environment including hippies, drugs, alcohol, and living “off the grid.”

Drawing was always a hobby until, with the encouragement of a professor, he switched his major from Liberal Arts to Art at The University of Hawaii at Hilo. Since that time he has been committed to art making as a primary endeavor.

For fun, Tobias tinkers with the guitar and martial arts, and plays soccer. He’s happy to have his own studio and hopes the lava doesn’t take it.