What happens when traditional art meets modern technology?
On this episode of The P.H.Y.S Podcast, I sit down with Raheem Nelson, a photographer, cartoonist, digital artist, and visual storyteller based in New Haven, Connecticut.
Raheem's creative journey began with pencil, ink, and paint. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cartooning, he built his artistic foundation through traditional illustration, cartooning, and oil painting before embracing the possibilities of digital tools and photography.
Today, Raheem seamlessly blends old-school artistic principles with modern technology, creating work that spans graphic recording, portraiture, pop art, digital illustration, and photography. Whether working on an iPad, behind a Canon camera, or sketching ideas by hand, his focus remains the same: telling stories that connect people through creativity and culture.
His work has been featured by NFT NYC, Arts & Ideas, The Shops at Yale, New Haven Cultural organizations, The Arts Council, The Tie Bar, and Power to the Patients, earning recognition for both his artistic versatility and unique visual voice.
In addition to his visual art practice, Raheem collaborated with acclaimed hip-hop artist Skyzoo on The Mind of a Saint, an illustrated book that combines music, storytelling, and visual art into a powerful creative experience.
In this conversation, we explore cartooning, photography, digital art, creativity, culture, and how artists can evolve while remaining true to their creative roots.
In This Episode:
• Raheem's journey from cartooning and oil painting to digital art
• Studying at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
• Blending traditional artistic techniques with modern technology
• Photography, graphic recording, portraiture, and pop art
• Creating art with both iPad and Canon cameras
• Collaborating with Skyzoo on The Mind of a Saint
• The relationship between visual art, music, and storytelling
• Showcasing work at NFT NYC and cultural institutions
• Finding new ways to tell stories through creativity
Visit Raheem:
Instagram Photo: raheemnelsonphoto
Threads Photo: @raheemnelsonphoto
Instagram Art: raheemnelsonart
Threads Art: @raheemnelsonart
Instagram Fashion: raheemnelsonstyle
Threads Fashion: @raheemnelsonstyle
Web: www.raheemnelson.com
YouTube: @RaheemNelson
Visit The Show:
Instagram: @PHYS_Podcast
Threads: @PHYS_Podcast
YouTube: @phys_podcast
Web: www.physpodcast.ca
Show Partner:
Fotophase.org
Dedicated to revealing the transformational nature of photography and the arts through NeuroArts, helping people connect, reflect, and discover new stories about themselves, their communities, and the world around them.
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