Addeline Griswold, better known as Burger Babie, is a self-proclaimed creator of “childlike art for adults” that’s equal parts nostalgic, sarcastic, and delightfully twisted. Her designs, often featuring cute animals and quirky characters, lure you in with vibrant vintage hues and retro vibes, only to hit you with hilariously dark truths about life. Whether it’s a shaky chihuahua interrupting your train of thought or a dog casually plotting to snack on your corpse, Addeline’s art captures those weird, relatable, in-between moments of life with a wink and a smirk. If life is “so fucking annoying,” as she puts it, Burger Babie’s art is here to make it cute, colorful, and laugh-out-loud funny.
Your art is bold, vibrant, and feels nostalgic. How would you describe your style to someone unfamiliar with it?
Addeline Griswold: I think the best way to sum it up is that I make childlike art for adults. From a distance it looks sweet and innocent but the longer you look at it, it can get a little depressing and real… but in a funny way, I hope.
What inspires the “romantic, sexy, stupid” vibe you infuse into your art?
AG: I’m obsessed with vintage characters, books, tattoo flash, textiles, and sayings. I find a lot of romantic/sexual influences in all of those things. Also, I love the juxtaposition of having something be cartoonish and pure, then having it be actually kind of off putting, because that’s life. I will say that I have leaned more into sarcasm and using animals and nature as my focal points these days, and less about my female characters that maybe used to have more sex appeal. But they are definitely still sprinkled in.
As a self-taught artist, what challenges and advantages have you found in taking this path?
AG: I think being self-taught has mostly given me advantages honestly. I think it definitely plays into the childish look of my designs because my lack of knowledge for digital design/painting can’t really be too clean and put together because I simply don’t know how to do it. A common complaint I have heard from my friends who went to art school is that they wish they can unlearn a lot of the “rules” they were taught, so I guess I’m happy I learned my style in a more lawless way.
By not going to school it has given me zero back-up plan for art which I suppose is a disadvantage, but I like to think it helps me stay extra motivated. Either way I think being an artist and trying to make it a lifelong career where you’re fulfilled creatively is absolutely crazy and hard for anyone no matter how they learned.
Your humor is so specific yet universal. How do you translate your personal thoughts into something that resonates with others?
AG: I try to keep everything super simple and mundane because that’s something everyone experiences. Almost like the bored in-between thoughts and moments we have throughout our days that we don’t think about. Like getting annoyed while driving then realising you’re in the wrong, looking into the eyes of someone’s weird ugly baby in line at the grocery store, or intrusive thoughts we all get before bed. I think it’s really fun to use animals to convey little messages in my art because they are almost like our internal voices speaking the truth and why they are always going against what the human is declaring. We all have evil shitty little thoughts and hidden attitudes, probably more that we like to admit, so maybe that’s why people find it so humorous.
Cute and edgy is such a fun combo. Why do you think people connect with that kind of juxtaposition?
AG: The older we get, the more jaded we become. I think it’s more fun to lean into it and poke fun at it than try to pretend to be overly polite and not bothered by day-to-day shit. Life is so fucking annoying. So if I can be honest AND make it kinda cute, what’s not to like?
Where do you get the inspiration for the quirky and relatable things your characters say?
AG: Just by being observant in the in-between moments I was talking about. I love to be a fly on the wall in social settings and just watch and listen. But I also pull inspiration from lyrics in old songs, interact with animals, look at old art. There is so much funny shit to see pretty much at any given moment if you’re looking for it. I love to go on long walks and I think I get my dumbest (best) ideas then, and I immediately jot them down and try to use them later or re-work them to make more sense. A lot definitely gets scratched or sometimes so loose I don’t even understand them later.
Have you ever created a piece that made you laugh out loud while you were working on it?
AG: For sure, but it’s not the art that makes it onto the internet.
Your color palette is vibrant and distinct. How did you develop your love for those bold, vintage-looking hues?
AG: Just looking at old shit all the time. One of my favorite activities is just walking around an antique store and looking at the designs and colors. I think it’s just burned into my brain at this point.
What has been your proudest moment as an artist so far?
AG: I seriously have no idea. I’m SHOCKED I get to do this as my job and that anyone has ever hired me and trusted me with projects. I think my entire career is my proudest moment. I recently came out with a vinyl toy with Strange Cat Toys and something about being able to physically hold and see one of my girls at all angles is really crazy to me. I’m just so grateful for everything this far truly, I couldn’t pick one.
You’ve credited stopping drinking alcohol as a turning point in your art career. How did that shift help unlock your creative potential?
AG: When I was drinking my art was super dark and depressing but without the colors and humor. When I stopped drinking, it was still depressing and dark but with humor and color. Nothing changed but everything did at the same time. I think I was able to look at life from a half-full perspective and kinda make the most of my life than from a half-empty perspective. I don’t think I would have unlocked any of that or grown at all had I never stopped drinking. There is a lot more to say on that but it would take entirely too long.
If your art had a soundtrack, what kind of music would it be?
AG: Uncomfortably happy grocery store music.
You’ve created murals, prints, and even hand-painted clothing. Is there a dream project or collaboration you’d love to tackle next?
AG: I think if I could keep getting mural work I’d be pretty stoked because I always have such a fun time doing them and always learn a lot. That’s another tricky question to answer because there is so much I wanna do and so many possibilities. It honestly kinda stresses me out to think too far ahead, I kinda just take it on job by job and everything just works out the way it’s supposed to. As long as I keep getting jobs and working with cool people I think that’s the dream.
Thank you to Addeline Griswold for sharing her insights, humor, and the wonderfully chaotic world of Burger Babie with us. Her art reminds us that life’s annoyances are best met with a splash of color, a dose of sarcasm, and maybe a tiny bit of existential dread. Be sure to visit her Artist Shop on Threadless to snag your favorite designs on everything from stickers to apparel. And don’t forget to follow her on social media to keep up with her latest creations and quirky adventures.
