What were you doing at six years old? Probably not launching a brand, designing over a thousand original characters, or having your artwork turned into limited-edition collectables made from recycled Yeo’s PET bottles.
But that’s exactly what Jacus, Singapore’s youngest pop art artist, is doing — and it all started with a pencil, paper, and a lot of monster doodles.
Jacus isn’t just an exceptionally talented young illustrator. He’s also the creative force behind MonstroJ, a brand built around his wild, colourful universe of monster characters. Each one with a name, a backstory, and a reminder that it’s okay to be different.
But what makes MonstroJ more than just a cute story is the heart behind the monsters—all designed to celebrate individuality, kindness, and what makes people “different.”
And at the centre of it all is his mum, Stell—a marketing professional, former designer, and single parent—who saw her son’s passion, and chose to help him build a universe from it.
Pop Art With a Heart
“I was pretty surprised he could sit down for hours and just draw,” says his mum, Stell. “Usually, even when he plays with toys, he gets distracted. But with drawing? He can go on non-stop.”
MonstroJ isn’t your typical children’s art project. It’s a movement wrapped in pop art packaging — vibrant, weird, and wonderful monster characters with real emotional depth. Each creature embodies themes like empathy, individuality, and acceptance.
Take Dragopoo, for instance. He might look grumpy, but beneath that tough shell is a calm, respectful, and caring figure in the monsterverse.
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“Just like people, there’s always more beneath the surface,” Stell explains. “MonstroJ is here to help us see that.”
It’s no surprise that when UniPlay collaborated with Jacus to launch MonstroJ’s first line of collectable pop art figures — using sustainable materials, no less — parents and kids alike flocked to CoPlay at Plaza Singapura. The exhibition was more than an art show. It was a celebration of kindness, creativity, and every child who’s ever felt like they didn’t quite “fit in.”
A Parenting Journey Fueled by Passion
Stell, a single mum and marketing professional, saw early signs that art was more than a hobby for her son — it was his way of expressing himself and staying grounded. “Jacus isn’t diagnosed, but I know he shows signs of mild ADHD,” she shares. “What calms him down is his passion.”
And she didn’t just support it — she invested in it. Stell partnered with a mentor and freelancer to help digitise over 200 monsters, bringing them to life in both 2D and 3D.
“Some of his drawings are super abstract — monsters with kites for bodies or multiple faces on different limbs,” Stell laughs. “But I choose the more commercial ones to roll out gradually. We want people to fall in love with his top 10 before introducing more.”
Her strategic approach bridges creative freedom and brand-building. “I allow him to be as creative as he wants, but I still select which monsters are launched as part of MonstroJ.”
Monsters With a Mission
While MonstroJ may look playful, it carries serious weight.
A joint study by NIE, the Singapore Children’s Society, and NUS found that 1 in 4 primary school children in Singapore have experienced bullying—often for simply being “different.”
That’s exactly the kind of problem MonstroJ is quietly trying to solve. Each monster has flaws, quirks, and features that set them apart—but those differences are their strengths.
“We want kids to know that being different isn’t a weakness. It’s a superpower,” Stell says.
Jacus’s monsters aren’t just fun—they’re emotional teachers. “One of the monsters is really grumpy, but in the story, he’s actually very kind and respected by others. It shows that what’s on the outside isn’t the full picture,” Stell explains.
Even the brand name has meaning. “‘Monstro’ is Spanish for monster, and ‘J’ is for Jacus,” she shares. “It’s not just a name—it’s his identity.”
Built With Love (and Late Nights)
Behind every young prodigy is a parent giving it their all, and Stell is no exception. From late-night animations to business planning, she’s helped Jacus nurture a brand rooted in passion, not pressure.
“When he was younger and misbehaving, I’d say, ‘If you’re a good boy, I’ll animate your monsters.’ That motivated him,” she recalls. “He loved seeing them dance every day. It helped manage him in a positive way.”
Her parenting philosophy is simple: If your child shows passion, grow it.
“There’s no harm in encouraging kids to own something they care about. Let them experience what it means to have a brand, give a presentation, or do show-and-tell with something they built.”
For Stell, this isn’t just a side project. “My only goal is to raise a good man,” she says. “Marriage and relationships aren’t my focus. With Jacus, my life is about work, family, and him. And that’s enough.”
Pop Art as Parenting—and a Legacy in the Making
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As a single mum, Stell has had to juggle late-night animation projects, full-time work in a BPO and marketing firm, and raising a spirited, creative child. “I don’t have time for anything else. And honestly, I don’t need anything else,” she says. “Having Jacus enriched my life in every way. I don’t need to be married to feel complete. I have everything I need in him.”
Her story isn’t just about parenting. It’s about purpose.
“We live in a very academic-driven culture here in Singapore. But I don’t want my child to just follow that track,” Stell explains. “If you see something your child loves, there’s no harm in nurturing it. Encourage passion. Grow it into something real. Why not let them be a young entrepreneur?”
Monsters with Meaning, and a Movement Worth Joining
Through pop art, parenting, and a powerful partnership, MonstroJ is reminding all of us that kindness, ownership, and creativity should start young—and be celebrated always.
So the next time your child starts doodling strange creatures or building Lego robots with six heads, don’t brush it off. That spark might just turn into something world-changing.
And if you’re looking for proof? Just ask Jacus—and his monsters.
