We were lucky to catch up with John Crum recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, John thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I loved to draw at a very early age. Being somewhat introverted, I found it helped me connect with others and to share ideas and to fit in. Throughout school, my creative ideas and drawing skills connected me to teachers, clubs, and other students,

I remember the moment I decided to become an artist full time. In the 1960’s, like just about every other kid, I was in a garage band. We had started playing gigs around town, at one moment, the band started dabbling in things that made me uncomfortable. I realized then, do I really want to have other people controlling my life? That’s when I decided to go away to art school and be in control of my own destiny.

It was a path of hard work and dedication to my art. I would work in factories during the summers and made just enough to pay for my schooling and living expenses. At school I was not the most talented but worked hard. Being around other creatives was inspiring and I knew this is was my future.

After graduating, I took any kind of creative work, silk screening store signs, sign painting and lettering, illustration, selling drawings at art fairs. I landed my first full time paying position as an illustrator in advertising and grew into design, art direction, and creative director, but never giving up my passion to paint for myself.

John, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For the past 20+ years, I paint full time. I am known for my figurative and gently surreal landscapes, narrative themes, my bright colors and bold designs. My artistic style has evolved into acrylic paintings built layer upon layer starting with wet negative color and ending with a dry brush layer allowing the under layers to show through. This creates a deep dimension and detail appreciated when viewed up close.

My paintings are ideas in my imagination that capture life, romance, love, and the human spirit. I apply a curious and whimsical twist that make viewers smile while taking them on an unexpected and magical journey.

“Your art always makes me smile” is the most common comment from collectors and viewers and I love hearing stories from viewers and collectors about my art and what it means to them. It is what keeps me moving forward.

Due to health concerns, I relocated to the surreal island of Hilton Head in 2001 to focus on painting. I have embarked on a journey of creativity and joyful story telling. Just being in surrounding so beautiful feed my imagination continuously.

Before the “Covid pandemic”, my work was in six galleries in the southeast, unfortunately the majority have closed permanently. This makes social media and other media outlets more important than ever to expose my art.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I get great satisfaction from a painting. The process of developing an idea and watching it grow, many times in a direction you did not imagine, and the final brush stroke. To think that it will live in another person’s life for a very long time is an amazing compliment.

Hearing a collector’s comments, watching their expression, and learning what my painting means to them is so exciting. Making that deep connection with another individual who will showcase your work and display it to unknown countless others is magical.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

When I paint it is very, very personal. Every stroke of paint is for a reason. To get your idea down to a place that you are satisfied and can walk away to present it to the world is a very emotional moment, you have reached a point to let it go. Many will walk past without a word, but when that one special viewer stops, takes a closer look, and then smiles, you know you have made a connection. and that is worth everything!

I’ve learned that you cannot connect with everyone, don’t try to. Create for yourself and eventually an audience will recognize your work and its intent. That is what being an artist is all about for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: JohnCrumArt.com
• Instagram: #JohnCrumArt
• Facebook: John K. Crum

Image Credits
John K. Crum