Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Mount.

Hi Joshua, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

Gladly!

My artistic journey began, as far as I can recall, with a natural quality of acute wonder. I have memories of just sitting and watching. Listening. As a small child, I developed an ability to obsess over the details of really mundane and average objects. This behavior progressed into my adolescent years where I’d plop onto the carpeted floor of my family’s modest home in South Louisiana and attempt to replicate and perfect illustrations of various things. They could be cartoon characters, animals (lots of sharks), The United States. I’d try my hand at getting the shape and scale just right. I could do it for hours without a break. My mother would have to peel me away from that pencil and paper.

I realized early on that I was decent at drawing. In elementary school, I gravitated toward some of the other kids who seemed to share this same artistic inclination. I remember being intimidated because a couple of them were really good! Once I hit junior high, it’d become an integral part of my identity. During class, I’d caricaturize portraits of some of the other students in a very less-than-flattering light and pass it around (not cool, by the way). My classmates loved it! Being an artist had definitely been solidified as how I saw myself in society and what I might become as I approached adulthood.

Even as I continued to create things at home and through my classwork (Art I thru Art IV, Gifted & Talented Art), a lot changed beyond that point. High School life, for one! I had kind of lost it there for a while. Then in 2006, after a falling out with my roommate at the time, I stuffed what I could into my car (That Sebring was screaming for relief!) and headed for Baton Rouge. My two younger sisters had just moved there, so I went to shack up with them. I was transplant. I was jobless. After a week of riding around filling out applications, I stumbled into a sign shop. They gave me a job on the spot. That’s when I officially discovered Graphic Design.

It’s been nearly two decades now since that unnerving, confusing, whirly September and I’ve since built a career as a Graphic Artist. I’ve had no formal schooling or training. I’ve had the privilege of working with some marvelously talented individuals and organizations. I love what I do.

Now, at this point on my journey, all bets are off. There are no questions or doubts about what it is I want to do. I don’t even choose the art. The creative lifestyle chooses me. And I give myself openly and whole-hearted to it. It’s been very generous to me. I am extremely thankful.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

We might say that the road has been smooth but has by no means been straight. I’ll tell you why!

I think the road has been smooth because I have been unfathomably lucky! From a very young age I’ve kind of unsuspectingly known what my “thing” was. I’ve always had my art. I mean, it’s not “mine” but I’ve always seen it as something that I can embrace with confidence that it will respond in exceedingly unconditional reciprocity. There are lots of folks who journey (or might we say Voyage) a lifetime and never quite discover what that “thing” is for them. Again, I am extremely thankful.

However, while the surface of the road has been quite faithful and forgiving, I cannot say the same about the orientation. There has been, if any, very little assurance in the direction in travels. I’ve only had vision. I didn’t know my unwitting inclinations would translate to any specific niche or industry. I simply trusted that as long as I did this thing, the voyage would serve me righteously. And it has.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

In my work, I’m a Graphic Artist. I create visual elements using images, shapes and words. It’s great. There’s an ‘Undo’ button, no paint-mixing, and there’s no mess to clean up (except in my head sometimes).

I specialize in Logo Design and Branding.

I am known for my ability to make my collaborators feel comfortable and connected t0 the organic process of establishing an identity and building imagery that supports it.

I am most proud of the way I make my clients feel about themselves and the work.

What sets me apart is my openness. It takes a very stoic, thick-skinned individual to facilitate collaboration without becoming emotionally attached to their own ideas and letting the project grow in it’s natural direction. I think it’s really hard for some artists to share their opinions and expertise (or what they believe to be expert counsel) without being affected when those opinions are rejected or opposed.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?

I can! While in recent years I’ve not thought of myself as much of a risk-taker, that has changed significantly in the weeks and months preceding this interview.

And, so, here it is…it’s terrifying! And I’d imagine you’d hear much of the same from anyone else who speaks on the subject. It’s scary. You don’t know what’s going to happen. And you won’t. At least not initially. Maybe you gather insight as you go and things become clearer, but not at first.

One of the major risks I’ve taken recently is investing in a more freelance approach to my career after a longstanding contract I’d had was abruptly terminated. I’ve since made some major adjustments and doubled down on my efforts toward growth and continuing to build the life that I aspire to.

I recently snapshotted a quote from Alan Watts that brought me a great deal of joy and relief. It said “Don’t be afraid. You’re going to make it, but it’s always going to feel as if you’re not. That’s the fun, you see!”

“Fun,” he says. I love that!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mountdesigner.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuamount
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mountdesigner
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuamount