Alimo: Surf-Inspired Artistry from Brooklyn
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Sean Kesterson, the contemporary artist who works under the name Alimo and is known online as @alimofun, creates vibrant, curvy post-pop imagery inspired by his lifelong engagement with surfing, snowboarding and outdoor adventure.
Born in 1985 in Portland, Oregon, Kesterson grew up in the Pacific Northwest suburbs, where he filled sketchbooks with drawings influenced by Snowboarder and Thrasher magazines while experimenting with ceramics. He studied art and digital media in college, where a conceptual critique helped shape his direction. He later adopted the artist name Alimo, a term he encountered meaning “nothing” that came to represent creative freedom for him.
Kesterson, now based in Brooklyn with ties to the West Coast, produces works characterized by highly saturated colors, expressive hand-drawn lettering and simplified figures engaged in playful moments set against flat tonal fields. His practice spans acrylic paintings on canvas, watercolors, daily sketches, large-scale murals, limited-edition prints and digital creations.
A surf-inspired acrylic painting by Alimo, featuring bold color blocking and wave-riding figures typical of his coastal-themed works.
Kesterson has extended his artistic output into the digital realm through non-fungible tokens. On Jan. 24, 2023, he made his debut on Nifty Gateway with the “Let’s Go Surf!” collection, presented by Bryan Brinkman. The release included limited editions and an auction piece inspired by the experience of finding solitude in the ocean while connecting with others in the waves.
In January 2024, he released “Japanuary,” a visual diary developed over five months in collaboration with Transient Labs and released on Nifty Gateway. The collection drew from watercolor sketches and photographs taken during a snowboarding trip to Japan with his brother. Several physical paintings in the series incorporated Transient Labs’ T.R.A.C.E. technology, embedding NFC chips that link ownership between the tangible canvas and its corresponding digital NFT. Buyers of certain editions also received airdrops and entries into live drawings for physical works.
A winter mountain scene in Alimo’s signature style, reflecting themes from his “Japanuary” collection based on personal snowboarding experiences in Japan.
Kesterson has additionally released one-of-one original pieces and other drops on platforms including OpenSea. Many of his NFT editions are designed to connect with corresponding physical artworks, offering collectors both digital and tangible expressions of the same composition. Select releases have included community features such as airdrops for holders of multiple pieces.
A bright surf-themed print by Alimo, exemplifying his saturated color palette and laid-back coastal aesthetic.
Kesterson has collaborated with outdoor and lifestyle brands including Patagonia and SeaVees. He maintains an active studio practice and offers limited-edition prints and originals through his website, alimofun.com. His next major public appearance is participation in the Greenroom Festival art exhibition in Yokohama, Japan, scheduled for May 23-24, 2026, alongside a lineup of other surf- and music-culture artists.
Kesterson’s work remains rooted in authentic personal experiences drawn from time spent in the ocean and mountains. By moving fluidly between traditional media and blockchain-based releases, he has built a following among boardsports enthusiasts and contemporary art collectors who appreciate accessible yet joyful visual narratives.
Alimo hanging a large beach-themed painting in his studio, demonstrating the scale and playful character of his signature works.
For more works: Website | X Account | LinkTree
