Meet Bryon Wackwitz | Owner of Muttairbrush and Art Supply from South Street known as “Mutt” and and Famous gaming artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bryon Wackwitz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bryon, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
To be honest, starting my business was born out of desperation rather than a carefully planned strategy. In 1999, I found myself in an incredibly challenging situation. I had been working as an art director for Wizards of the Coast from 1997 to 1999, but they had their first major layoff just before Hasbro acquired them. Within a span of two months, I was laid off, divorced, and essentially homeless. It was a perfect storm of difficulties.

At that point, I felt I had no other option but to turn back to what I knew. I pulled my old airbrush equipment out of the closet—tools I hadn’t used since running an airbrush and graffiti shop in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, in the late ’80s and early ’90s—and managed to secure a spot on South Street in Philadelphia.

Starting the business wasn’t part of some grand plan. It was a reaction to my circumstances. I began with almost no money, and the process was entirely organic. I built it up day by day, finding my footing as I went. In hindsight, the journey was about resilience and survival, and that’s what drove me to make it work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets my art apart from others is also, in a way, one of my weaknesses: I don’t have a single, definitive style. Most artists are easily recognizable because of their signature look, but my work spans at least five distinct styles—each of which could seem like it was created by a completely different artist.

I’ve mastered airbrushing and am likely one of the best airbrush artists on the East Coast. Over the years, I’ve created portraits for high-profile celebrities like Missy Elliott, Usher, Ciara, Alicia Keys, Ginuwine, Farside, and even diplomats.

I also work extensively with oils and acrylics as an illustrator. I was fortunate to be one of the first 49 artists for Magic: The Gathering, and I’ve illustrated for iconic companies like Legend of the Five Rings, Werewolf: The Apocalypse, Dungeons & Dragons, and more. My paintings in oils and acrylics have an entirely different feel compared to my airbrush work.

Then there’s my pen and ink art, which is rooted in my early beginnings as an artist. This work leans more toward the classical, Goya-inspired school of art, focusing on intricate detail and dramatic contrasts. It’s a style I hold close to my heart since it was my gateway into the art world.

Finally, I also explore a graphic design and graffiti-inspired style. This work is bold, expressive, and character-driven, standing out as another unique dimension of my creativity.

So, in a way, my diversity in mediums and styles tells a story of growth and evolution, but it also challenges me to unify these identities under one brand.

What I’m most proud of and excited about is the new chapter I’ve started in my career. About seven months ago, I made the decision to close my physical store to fully concentrate on illustrating again. It was a big leap, but it’s already paying off—I’m now doing work for Sorcery! The Contested Realm, which marks my first published illustrations in 30 years. That’s been incredibly rewarding and reinvigorating.

I’ve also launched another venture called ProudTrash.com, where I’m focusing on my graffiti art and expanding my online business presence. In addition, my original business, Mutt Airbrush and Art Supply, LLC, is transitioning online, which opens up new opportunities to reach a broader audience.

On top of that, I’m excited about my new illustration website, bryonwart.com. It’s becoming a hub for showcasing my work and connecting with fans and clients. Altogether, these projects represent a fresh start and a chance to explore multiple creative avenues, which has me more inspired than ever.”

I think I’m in a fairly stable position today, balancing my reputation as a well-known airbrush artist with a large client base and my work as a recognized illustrator. My time is now spent on private commissions, traveling around the world and the nation to sign autographs, sell artwork, and connect with fans.

But getting here wasn’t easy. It took immense sacrifice and perseverance. Owning a store on South Street, for instance, was one of the most challenging periods of my life. I lived in the basement of the shop for over a year and a half, dedicating everything I had to keep the business going. Despite the effort, when I eventually closed the shop, it left me with about $100,000 in debt, largely due to the economic downturn.

Overcoming these challenges required making tough but strategic business decisions. I sat down, balanced the numbers, and realized that most of my sales were coming from online platforms and not from the physical store. My work as an illustrator, particularly for Magic: The Gathering, also proved to be a lifeline. Many of my illustrations are highly playable cards, such as Pendelhaven, which has created demand for me to travel, sell playmats and prints, and charge for signing cards.

Today, I’m fortunate to still do airbrush work, but now I can pick and choose the projects I take on. It’s a unique position to be in, and I’m grateful for the flexibility it provides. Looking back, I’d say my ability to adapt has been the key to overcoming challenges. Whether it’s closing the shop, shifting my focus, or changing direction entirely, I’ve learned to pivot when needed. Perhaps you could call it a strategic retreat, but I like to think of it as leveraging my resilience and creativity to move forward.

That’s actually a pretty tough question. Like every artist, I want to make a living doing my artwork, and I’d love for people to connect with my journey. My illustration work is showcased on my website, BryonWArt.com, and I hope people take the time to check it out. For 24 years, while running my shop on South Street, I was known by the nickname ‘Mutt.’ In the illustration world, I went by my full name, Bryon Wackwitz. Now, I go by Bryon ‘Mutt’ Wackwitz as I’m working to merge those two identities into one cohesive brand.

I’m entering a new chapter in my career, particularly online. My graffiti work, which I’m slowly revisiting and uploading, will eventually make its way to my illustration site. I’m also excited about launching a clothing line under Proud Trash, one of my new ventures, which takes my creativity in a completely different direction.

In addition to that, I’ve been exploring production work, creating items like artwork on playmat boxes and other unique products. This is a direction I see both Mutt Airbrush and Art Supply and Proud Trash gearing toward in the future.

At its core, my story is about resilience, creativity, and evolution. It’s difficult to sum up in a simple sentence, but if there’s one thing I’d ask, it’s for people to take the time to check out my artwork and support what I’m building. Whether it’s illustrations, graffiti, or my new clothing line, it’s all part of a unique journey that I’m excited to share with the world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is actually a tough question for me, because I’ve lived and worked in Philadelphia for so long that many of the city’s iconic spots have become familiar, even routine. I owned a shop on South Street for 24 years, so I know many of the local business owners there. If someone came to visit, I’d definitely take them to some of the well-known spots like Jim’s Steaks and Copa, which are iconic in the area.

Philadelphia has a rich history, but to be honest, I find the usual tourist spots like the Liberty Bell a bit passé. Instead, I’d recommend something more unique, like Graffiti Pier—if it hasn’t already collapsed into the Delaware—or the Reservoir for some incredible graffiti art. Philadelphia is an interesting city for street art, with some of the best murals and graffiti scattered throughout the neighborhoods. I’d probably take them on a tour of the murals we’re known for and point out tags by famous graffiti artists, both local and visiting.

When it comes to food, Philadelphia has just about every cuisine you can imagine, often within walking distance. While we’re not grand and glamorous like New York, we’re a working-class city with a lot of heart. Girard Avenue is an up-and-coming area that reminds me of what South Street used to be—vibrant and full of character.

Ultimately, where I’d take a visitor depends on their tastes. We have incredible plays, shows, music, and art, but locals often take these things for granted. Philadelphia has so much to offer, even if the best spots have changed over the years. It’s a city that constantly evolves, and there’s always something new to discover.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are quite a few people and organizations I want to acknowledge for their role in my journey. First, a shout-out to Carl Lundgren, an incredible fantasy book cover artist and rock poster illustrator. He gave me my first break as an illustrator for Weird Tales Magazine, which set me on my creative path.

I also want to recognize C. Harris Designs, a company that no longer exists, but they gave me my first opportunity to work with an airbrush at the Franklin Mills Mall back in the ’80s. That chance was pivotal in shaping my skills.

Lastly, I have to thank Wizards of the Coast. Ironically, if they hadn’t laid me off in 1999, I wouldn’t have embarked on my journey with Mutt Airbrush and Art Supply on South Street, nor would I have become recognized as one of the first 49 Magic: The Gathering artists.

These experiences, even the challenging ones, shaped my career and ultimately brought me to where I am today.

Website: https://Bryonwart.com

Instagram: @bryonwackwitz

Linkedin: BryonWackwitz

Facebook: Bryon Mutt Wackwitz

Other: @bryonwackwitzart.bsky.social

Image Credits
Bryon Wackwitz and ‘Snoop’ (all bike pics)