We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful John-Michael Byrd. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with John-Michael below.

Hi John-Michael, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I thought I’d give this a unique twist and write a little poem instead:

being an artist
is juggling
creativity
& stability
sometimes a flow
in wonder
other moments
the comfort of nine-to-five
a steady paycheck—
safety net

yet
deep down
my heart beats
in a rhythm of ideas
bringing life to whispers
connecting soul to soul
oh, the joy when
freedom dances
in chaos!

balancing the
ordinary
between
the mundane
and magic
i find
creativity blooms
even
in shadows
happiness—
(as taught by the wise)
comes from
embracing change
after struggles
(so says Nietzsche)
a quest, perhaps, that
many of us seek—

so here i stand
dedicating my art
to a legacy
bigger than
just me
a dance of struggle
& joy
intertwining,
only time will tell
who we truly are.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

i come from a creative family of artists—
grandma, mom,
and everyone else are writers (my dad),
painters, musicians.
growing up in the south,
becoming an artist seemed natural,
but i wondered what it would look like.
i’m still figuring it out.

my artistic journey
explores the absurdity
and the uncanny,
blurring lines between
reality & illusion.

i mix different images,
combining the bizarre,
poetic, emotional, sacred
to create something unique.
drawing inspiration from dreams,
overheard conversations,
meditations
transforming silly, shocking,
kitschy, whimsical
into meaningful pieces.

the painting process
challenges me, especially
with transparent mylar;
monotypes, collages,
drawings & poetry
are tools to help me
come to new conclusions.
i combine traditional
painting techniques
with playful twists
inspired by classic animation
and illuminated manuscripts,
incorporating quirky,
mystical themes.
i aim to capture
the wild spirit
of fantasies, showcasing
our imagination’s
overflow.

i’m proud
of my continued excitement
for creating & sharing
my work.
constantly curious,
eager to stretch
my boundaries, explore
new ideas, experiment
with different mediums.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

creativity is a wild
& mysterious force
confusing
hard to understand
for many, watching others
create art is a frustration—
they struggle (while you wonder)
what they see.

it isn’t always easy;
self-doubt creeps in
& loneliness
holds you tight
but sharing
(your experiences)
with others
makes those struggles
feel less daunting
reminds you it’s okay—
not to be perfect.

just like the way we navigate
our creative paths (is as important)
as the goals we set—
how we connect
with others
matters just as much.

growing up in
a big family,
in a small town
(Louisiana)
taught me to love stories—
tales that
make you think
about your place
in the world,
who you
really are.

those early experiences
shaped how i see the beauty
in chaos & harmony—
even now, amidst the bustling art
scene of new york city,
my southern roots
give me a sense of stability
& help me
navigate the ups & downs
of my creative trip.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

nurturing the arts
is no easy task—
it requires
a constant willingness
to learn
& adapt
stay curious (oh yes)
sometimes you
need to push
forward;
other times—
step back
& think things through

that’s why supporting
local artists
matters so much—
whether it’s
buying their work
giving words
of encouragement
or (yes) having
meaningful
conversations
every little bit
counts

i’m passionate (truly)
about sharing
my thoughts & ideas
on visual culture
exploring how images
& objects shape
our understanding of
big life questions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.johnmichaelbyrd.com
• Instagram: therealjmbyrd