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

Alright, John thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Learning a craft can be a long process but if you enjoy it, then its meant for you to continue on. I started drawing at a young age and I realized i really enjoyed creating cartoon characters. As the years went on i practiced every day because i enjoyed it and built my skill level up. Once i got into college i was pretty comfortable with my style art even though it wasnt fully developed. The education amd skill i got from college helped solidify my style and craft to what it is now. However i will always be a student of the arts because im am forever learning something knew about it and myself.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started out as a young kid drawing. It was my outlet and i used it all the time. I realized i enjoyed certain things about drawing and my subject matter, which continued to build as i got older. I went to college and graduated with an art degree. While in college i attended some music festivals where i found that there was a huge interest in art. I would make art posters for the event i was going to and sell them in the camp grounds. After i graduated college, i moved to Atlanta, GA to pursue my art career. I would apply to festivals to paint and thats where i got my start. From 2011 to the present i have been live painting at music festivals and art events across the country. I love what i do and yes there are difficult times i go through but i couldn’t see myself putting all my energy into anything else. This is my passion and as long as i can pick up a brush or a pencil, i will continue to do this because i feel like it inspires others. Thats my biggest reason for putting my art out there for others to see. I think if i can inspire someone to do what they love, then they will inspire someone else to do the same and i believe that that is the best medicine. Lets leave the world a more beautiful and better place than we found it.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

As humans we are born to learn and create. However the creation aspect is not viewed as important as your typical learning education. I think that is wrong. I think its very important to allow kids to stay creative and not to dismiss it or take time away from it. Artist and musicians and any other type of creator has a purpose here to help inspire others because without knowing how to create something new then there is no learning anything new.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I starred building up my art brand by going to any and every event i could when i first started out. I couldnt do all of them but i did the best i could. I went to mingle and talk to people who were just generally interested in my art. I think its important to talk to anyone who may be curious about a style or technique. They typically remember this interaction and it sticks with them if its a positive experience. This has been one of my best and favorite parts of my art career. Always advertise yourself. Hand out free stickers or prints to people you had a good connection with. They always like to support you in the long run.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @johngayart
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/johngayart