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

Hi John, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My most meaningful project was recreating the elite knight from the game Dark Souls. It’s meant everything to me. It represents not only my interests but my determination, dedication and artistic ability. I was ready to give up on pursuing art. I felt like I didn’t “git gud” fast enough to keep up with other artists and being self taught it felt hopeless. It was was my goodbye to my dream so I went all out. It wound up having the opposite effect and creating that wearable piece of art changed everything for me. Instead of quitting I started working harder, showing the people around me and myself that I have the potential to make art for a living, hoping that day comes soon!

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

For those who don’t know me, my name is Johnny and I consider myself an artist, costumer, cosplayer, sculptor, painter, the list goes on. I’ll do it all to see my vision come to life. I realized that I had no specific craft but I’ve enjoyed creating life size props and costumes for the past 7 years. I create them like they are pieces of art, which they are to me I just find tangible objects fascinating. It allows me the freedom of a unique canvas to work with and dive into each and every detail I can possibly put in and it’s always different so it’s challenging and rewarding creating each new piece. I think that’s what sets me apart. Having tried so many different mediums has given me the ability to see the vision of the end goal and the tools to see it through how I want to see it done and I’m not skilled enough than I will practice until it’s right.

I just want to make art, be It for individuals, film, independent projects or myself. I want to do it all, there’s no real barrier I’ve set for myself. I’m an ambitious person who wants to make art for the rest of my life so I want to take on many opportunities. As an independent artist currently specializing in costumes and props I want to give my clients something I would want to make for myself. Something with care and attention. Something they couldn’t get from just anyone. I truly care about what I do and I want it show by the time the project is done.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think it’s hard to understand an artists mindset. Our determination, dedication, the need to create and why we can be so hard on ourselves. It’s apart of us, artists are fueled by imagination and inspiration. I’ve found it hard to express what drives me to create to others who don’t have an artistic mindset. It’s always been apart of my life, it’s like breathing to want to pick up a pencil. I don’t know what I will make next, i don’t know what the result will be there’s no guarantees with art no matter how good you are. I just know that I will try because it’s apart of my very being, It’s a spark of creativity that will allow me to dedicate two years to a single project. It’s important to understand artists because they need others to lift them up when they are down on themselves, a lot of us set high expectations and that adds a lot of pressure. Some create to distract themselves from the world or to cope. Maybe an idea popped into their head and they need to materialize it. There’s no real way to know what’s going on in the mind of an artist unless there’s an effort made to interact and try to understand what they are trying to achieve. Especially younger artists where most people think it’s a phase that they will grow out of. Fuel that fire, support those growing artists because when they feel that support from their friends, families, even strangers it inspires them to keep doing what they love to do, it can be a small effort that can change someone’s life by allowing them to embrace who they are and what they are capable of.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to make art im proud of, to do what I love for a living and to have a stability. I want to be able to own my own art studio one day, create props and costumes that feel like unique pieces of art for film, clients and I want to see my own projects come to life. I would even like to be a creative director for film. I have an eye for detail and my own style, it would be great to lend my art to bigger projects than I can do alone. I’ve worked hard these last 7 years since I found a new sense of passion and dedication to my art. It led me to wanting these goals I never knew I could possibly achieve but now it’s the motivation for the future I want for myself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/sunlightofastora
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/sunlightcosplay
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/sunlightcosplay
• Youtube: www.YouTube.com/sunlightcosplay
• Other: www.patreon.com/sunlightofastora www.Etsy.com/shop/sunlightofastora

Image Credits
Photography credits Dim horizon studios and visual assassin photography