Minneapolis, MN
Sun Rain is the independent creative studio of Minneapolis-based visual artist and designer Adam Paxton Smith. Adam holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and has served numerous industries in various creative roles including production artist, graphic designer, and digital marketing specialist. He has also maintained a freelance design practice since 2017, creating imaginative brand identities and collateral for clients of varying sizes and fields.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Magic happens when we see things in a new way. Like the feeling of standing in a sunshower, facilitating the moment of openness to the wonders of existing is the pursuit of my creative practice. With an approach wandering somewhere between scientific study and raw emotional expression, I take in my mental and physical surroundings and highlight what stands out as unexpected, visceral, or mysterious. Raised on science books, fantasy stories, and counterculture music, I process these inspirations and create work that blends folk and mythic aesthetics with the precision of an encyclopedia and the voice of a garage punk band. Steered by big ideas and grounded in a dedication to craft, my art aims to instill wonder and shift perspectives.
Whether working on a personal piece, a commissioned artwork, or a freelance design gig, we bring the same level of thoughtfulness and exploratory spirit to each practice. All of our projects start with an idea, sparked by observation of a fact, emotion, or problem. Then, with a designer’s knack for visual problem-solving and an artist’s need to find and express a point of view, we identify what needs to be made and make it. We take our time with projects, exploring concepts thoroughly and learning from clients attentively. However, our small size as a studio allows us to nimbly flex with shifting timelines, budgets, and creative goals. Our network of creative partners -- including illustrators, photographers, web professionals and more -- allows us to create multidisciplinary work with a shared vision.
PRINCIPLES
Our creative pursuits are held up by six main pillars:
Observe -- Pay attention. Slow down. Be quiet in the face of beauty. Be focused in the face of pain.
Reflect -- Think deeply. Notice feelings. Consider connections, consequences, and context.
Interpret -- Attempt to answer: what does it all mean? Bridge gaps in understanding. Speak to others’ experience.
Imagine -- See the world as it could be. Embrace fantasy. Dive into the unknown and describe possible futures.
Educate -- Tell the truth. Respect the audience.
Celebrate -- Find the joy. Absorb the goodness of the universe and point it out to others.
While we lean on all of these principles to do our work, certain ones are expressed more clearly in certain projects. We call this out on the project page, so please explore our work and discover the thought we put into each piece.