We talked to the artist and creative director about his past life, his most scandalous work, and his thoughts on TikTok.

To his 200,000+ adoring Instagram followers, Donald Robertson is a fun-loving but mythical figure known simply as @Drawbertson. He&rsquo;s often seen wielding his paintbrush or a spool of gaffer tape, repurposing garbage into topical&nbsp;works that poke fun at everyone from Coco <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/chanel-fall-2020-runway-show">Chanel</a> to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Over the years, Robertson has collaborated with the likes of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/goodbye-colette-here-s-the-10-best-collaborations">Colette</a> and Warby Parker while gaining recognition from high-profile figures such as <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/music/beyonce-homecoming-netflix-2019">Beyonc&eacute;</a>, and his latest undertaking is a new studio/gallery space in Santa Monica, California, where his patrons can meet the man himself. Read on to learn about the in-demand artist&#39;s early career, his unique parenting strategies, and the surprising reason he says he&#39;s always been a &quot;sell-out.&quot;

&nbsp;

Tell us about your past life, pre-painting.

If I was a board game, the first square would be the suburbs of Canada, then I was an art college drop out, then I moved to <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/paris-fashion-week-fall-2020-what-to-do-and-see">Paris</a> as a starving artist, then I became the MAC Cosmetics staff artist, then I was a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/digital-issues/letter-from-the-editor-we-love-ny-april-2019">New Yorker</a> wannabe until I had my magazine heyday as a creative director&nbsp;of Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan, then I moved to Est&eacute;e Lauder as an executive.

&nbsp;

When did you decide to pick up a brush? Did you instantly see dollar signs?

I painted rocks as a kid, and sold them to people on the beach, so I was a sell-out from the start.

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You have worked with numerous brands-do you ever say no to a collaboration?

I mostly do collabs with friends like Linda Fargo, Graydon Carter, Sarah Handelman, and Stacey Eisner. The brands come after. It&rsquo;s usually because I like the people [involved]. Barbie was a very close friend, for example. Cough&mdash;money!&mdash;cough.

&nbsp;

&ldquo;Buy Them Nothing&rdquo; is your mantra with your kids.

I have five kids, so I know they are only ever interested in the box. Other spoiled children come to our house and ask where our toy-stuffed playroom is and I point outside.

&nbsp;

Your boys skate. Have you ever been on a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/yayoi-kusama-moma-skateboard">skateboard</a>?

Accidentally once.

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Why did you move to Los Angeles from New York?

I watched The Beverly Hillbillies as a kid growing up in freezing Canada. Does anyone on the planet not want to move to California?

&nbsp;

Have you ever gotten into trouble with a piece of art?

Good question. Yes, I did a cheeky painting of a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/remembering-karl-lagerfeld">Karl [Lagerfeld]</a> funeral as a theme for a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/chanel-fall-2020-runway-show">Chanel show</a>. It was very chic but cutting. I was asked to be more sensitive by higher-ups in Paris, so I archived it.

&nbsp;

You&rsquo;ve been called the &quot;Warhol of Instagram.&quot; How are you like Andy?

I&rsquo;m very pale and balding, but I can draw.

&nbsp;

How does your family feel about your digital high profile?

My kids are very happy about <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop%20culture/tiktok-accounts-follow-guide-2020">TikTok</a>. It&#39;s 100% dad free.

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How much sleep do you get per night?

I hate sleeping. I would take &quot;don&rsquo;t sleep&quot; sleeping pills if I could find them.

&nbsp;

What is a day in the life of Donald like?

If my day was a board game, it would be: First square coffee at 4 am, then paint-paint-post-paint-post-post-paint, then drop kids at school, followed by more coffee-paint-post. Then eat bad things until it&rsquo;s time for <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/travel-living/how-to-shop-for-natural-wine">wine</a>, followed by skatepark and night-night.

From Coco Chanel to Beyoncé, Donald Robertson Sketches All of Pop Culture

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