Thaddeus Coates (a.k.a. Hippy Potter): Vibrant Artist Amplifies Black Queer Joy

Thaddeus Coates, who goes by the moniker Hippy Potter, has rapidly emerged as one of the most influential digital artists spotlighting Black and LGBTQ+ identities in contemporary culture. Based in New York City, Coates’s unique visual style—marked by vibrant technicolor hues and expressive, playful shapes—has not only defined his art but also made him a beacon for diverse and inclusive representation in media and advertising .

Coates’s journey began with a keen awareness of the lack of Black and queer representation in the cartoons and pop culture imagery he grew up with. As he shared in an interview with the It Gets Better Project, creating characters who reflect the full spectrum of Black and queer experiences became a personal and political mission: “It’s very important to create characters who look like me or give light or narrative to characters who don’t” .

At the heart of Coates’s artistic philosophy is the celebration of Black joy—a theme he describes as “eternal forever and ever.” He explains, “Blackness is not a monolith, we are many things, much more than our agony and much more than our pain. We are light, we are the embodiment of excellence. It is important to know that every day is Black history; we are cultivating a legacy that lives beyond 28 days” .

Coates’s work consistently weaves optimism and empowerment into his compositions, drawing upon the aesthetics of 80s-era Japanese City Pop and 90s cartoons to create lively, nostalgic, yet deeply personal artwork. This blend of nostalgia and forward-thinking celebration has made his illustrations instantly recognizable and widely admired .

Coates’s impact extends far beyond the digital art world. Under the Hippy Potter brand, he has collaborated with major brands including Pop-Tarts, Kellogg’s, Marvel Studios, Savage x Fenty, and Lunchables. His partnership with Kellogg’s, in particular, was a personal milestone: “The newest Kellogg’s launch just dropped too, which is just amazing. Kellogg’s has been one of the biggest collaborators that I’ve had in my art career so far. I’ve always wanted to do something with cereal, so when it came, I was like, ‘Of course I’m going to say yes. This is like my dream’” .

Coates was given significant creative control over the Pop-Tarts collaboration, including the opportunity to shape the product’s flavor and design. The result was a celebration of community and individuality, with each frosting design representing diverse narratives—often focusing on minority groups and giving them a seat at the table .

His work with Lunchables and Kleenex further underscores his commitment to playful, inclusive design, using whimsical textures and vibrant colors to connect with a broad audience while centering stories that might otherwise go untold .

As a Black queer creative who also models and dances, Coates is vocal about the importance of intersectionality and authenticity. His experiences as a student—playing football and dancing in high school while navigating his identity—inform much of his artistic output. “Being a Black, queer boy in high school playing football and dancing at the same time… there needs to be more . I create from my own narrative and also have other people feel seen, that they have a seat at the table,” Coates told the It Gets Better Project .

Coates’s visibility and success challenge longstanding stereotypes and expand the possibilities for young Black and LGBTQ+ creatives. By centering Black queer joy and collaborating with global brands, he is making tangible change in how these identities are celebrated and represented in mainstream culture .

With his star still rising, Thaddeus Coates continues to inspire a new generation of artists and audiences. Through his digital illustrations, brand partnerships, and public advocacy, Coates demonstrates that representation matters—not only as a marker of progress but as a source of joy, pride, and community. As he puts it, “We are cultivating a legacy that lives beyond 28 days… We are infinite” .