When I first reached out to Chris Censullo for this interview, I already had a strong sense of the role he played in the early visual identity of the Humane Party. His name came up often in internal circles – usually followed by someone saying, “He was so talented. I loved working with him.” What I didn’t know until now was just how deeply Chris’s ethics, art, and activism are intertwined – and how his quiet strength continues to shape the movement, even after stepping away from design work.
Chris lives in Massachusetts and describes himself as a former graphic designer for the Humane Party. But the full picture goes well beyond titles. He’s also a lifelong artist, a published children’s book author, and the creative mind behind Cute Things, an art project blending nostalgic charm with quiet subversion.
“I first became vegetarian back in the late ’80s,” he told me, “with no concept of what that entailed, other than I didn’t want to eat meat.” It wasn’t until years later – after eating meat on a night out with friends – that the disconnect fully hit. “I was disgusted by the realization of what I was doing.” He began phasing out dairy in 2016 and officially embraced a fully vegan lifestyle in 2017. “My only regret is not doing it sooner.”
As with many of us, the road to awareness was lit by culture. Chris credits the book Animal Liberation by Peter Singer and the Smiths’ song Meat is Murder as early catalysts. “They helped me connect the dots between animals and the food I was consuming.” But what struck me most was how he described that realization – not with judgment or frustration, but with a kind of thoughtful sorrow, like someone who had seen clearly and chose differently.
When I asked Chris how he defines ethical living, his answer was simple and powerful: “Causing as little harm as possible in my time here. And if possible, to leave the world a better place.” For him, veganism is central to that effort. It’s not a diet, it’s a lens.
“I think social media, which causes tremendous harm, has also solidified my beliefs,” he explained. “It’s helped shed light on the cruelty of factory farming, which many folks are shielded from or able to avoid.”
Chris doesn’t believe change will happen overnight – or even in his lifetime. “While I don’t think it will happen in my lifetime, I believe the world will eventually be vegan. Climate change, factory farming, and deforestation will force society to face some hard truths and limit, if not eliminate, meat-based diets.” There’s no bitterness in the way he says it. Just a quiet faith in the long arc of justice.
For those just beginning to question the status quo, Chris has a message:
“Trust yourself, follow your heart. History, tradition, and convenience are not reasons to live a life of cruelty.”
And when I asked him how he stays motivated in the face of all the heartbreak and resistance that comes with activism, he answered simply: “I take comfort in knowing I’m on the right side of history.”
Through his art, Chris continues to offer that comfort to others—inviting viewers into a world that’s softer, kinder, and more awake. From colorful prints to thoughtful children’s books, his work makes space for reflection and warmth, especially for those of us carrying heavy truths.
He closed the interview with a brief note to our readers:
“Thank you for being vegan. You are making a difference.”
And with that, I was reminded why we do these interviews. It’s not just about capturing stories—it’s about tracing the quiet threads of courage and creativity that hold this movement together. Chris Censullo is one of those threads.
You can find his work at cutethingsart.com or on Instagram at @chriscensullo, where he proudly calls himself “Chibi’s vegan human and creator of Cute Things.”
The Humane Herald 