AAKABO: Stencils, Stillness & Creative Community

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At Skinnybuddha, we believe in spotlighting artists who create not just with skill, but with soul. That’s why we’re proud to share our recent conversation with Aaron Bodden, aka AAKABO — a muralist, street artist, and community builder.

Known for his layered stencils, clean lines, and meditative process, AAKABO’s work speaks as much to patience as it does to passion. But what makes his journey especially powerful is how he found his way back to creating art on his own terms.

The Pressure to Produce

Aaron’s journey hasn’t always been about paint. At one point, the pressures of being a full-time artist — deadlines, commission work, the constant need to earn — began to erode the joy that got him into art in the first place.

“When you rely on your creativity to survive, it starts feeling like a job you can’t clock out of,” he explained. He found himself caught in a cycle many creatives know too well: burnout, followed by guilt, followed by creative block. What began as short breaks to rest turned into longer periods of doubt and disconnection.

Eventually, he gave himself permission to fully step away. No commissions. No deadlines. Just space. “I told myself I’d take a year off and get a job,” he said. “I needed to reset. And over time, the urge to create came back stronger than ever.”

That space helped him rebuild his relationship with art — on his own terms.

Meditation Through Stencil

Ironically, it was Aaron’s search for inner stillness that led him to start painting in the first place. “I had been trying to meditate — guided sessions, silent darkness, yoga — but nothing worked,” he said. “So I looked for something that felt meditative instead.”

That’s when he discovered stenciling.

The process — intricate, repetitive, focused — became its own kind of mindfulness. “I could just sit at my desk and lose myself,” he said. “Stenciling gives me peace. It lets me slow down and think.”

Art That Scales with Intention

From small, detailed canvases to massive outdoor murals and even interactive 3D works, Aaron’s range is impressive — but his message stays grounded. “I’ve always seen myself as a minimalist,” he said. “But when I started painting on large walls, I had more space to say more. Now I find myself trying to bring that same depth into smaller pieces.”

Whether it’s a six-foot wall or a six-inch canvas, intention stays at the center of his work.

Creating Space for Others

Beyond his own portfolio, Aaron is deeply committed to lifting up other artists — especially those just getting started. Through curating gallery shows and brokering connections, he’s built platforms for new voices to be seen and celebrated.

“When I organize a show, I go out of my way to include artists who’ve never shown their work publicly before,” he told us. “Watching them see their art under lights for the first time — with friends and family there to celebrate — that’s what makes it all worth it. That’s my ‘why.’”

It’s more than support—it’s making room for another artist to begin.

Words for the Worn Out

When we asked Aaron what advice he’d give to artists feeling stuck, he was refreshingly honest: “I don’t always know how to stay inspired. I just do everything I can to avoid the things that drain me.”

His message is clear: protect your peace. Take breaks before burnout takes over. Find joy outside of your craft. Stay in tune with your mental health, and don’t force it.

Aaron Bodden (aka AAKABO) is a reminder that creativity doesn’t come from pressure — it comes from presence. That the best art is born not just from talent, but from trust in your own rhythm.

We’re honored to call him a friend of the Skinnybuddha artist collective, and we can’t wait to see what’s next in his evolution.

Follow @AAKABO to see more of his work and stay connected.