We recently connected with John Jay Cabuay and have shared our conversation below.
Hi John Jay, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
From a young age, I was captivated by drawing and comic books. I started by emulating my favorite superheroes, but by high school, I began studying the styles of renowned comic book artists like George Pérez, John Byrne, and Walter Simonson. With dreams of becoming a comic book artist, I enrolled in the Illustration program at The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). But my path took an unexpected turn during my very first semester. In my freshman year, I was introduced to the world of Fashion Illustration, a discipline that would completely transform my perspective. The stylization and exaggeration of the human form, combined with the need to deeply engage with the model and capture their essence on paper, fascinated me. We were trained to draw live models almost every day for four years, a practice that sharpened my skills, improved my speed, and cultivated my versatility as a draftsman—a foundation I still hold dear today.
In my senior year, I set out to find a mentor, which led me to the legendary fashion illustrator Bil Donovan. I eagerly approached him, promising to give my all to his mentorship, and luckily, he agreed. He invited me to his studio in Manhattan where I would come by and visit him to show my progress at the personal assignments he gave me. At my 20s, I was wide-eyed and eager to learn, but also unaware of the realities of a professional illustrator’s life. Stepping into his studio was an eye-opening experience. It was sleek, with works in progress taped up on the walls, creating a dynamic, evolving display of deadlines and creative energy. The whole experience left me feeling both intimidated and inspired. It was in that moment, surrounded by the hustle of a true working artist, that I realized what I wanted to do for the rest of my life: to be a professional illustrator, living and working in Manhattan.
John Jay, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
In the early years of my career, I was solely focused on becoming a fashion illustrator. My big break came when my mentor, who was often swamped with assignments, would pass on work to me or recommend me for jobs he couldn’t take on. At the time, I was still building my portfolio, so I split my week between promoting my illustrations during the day and taking art classes in the evening with Jack Potter at SVA to improve my skills. Eventually, I made a bold decision to shift gears and pursue more publishing work. I wanted to create illustrations that would appear in magazines and newspapers. This meant rebuilding my portfolio from the ground up.
I was determined and hungry to improve. My goal was simple: to create one new portfolio piece each week, consistently pushing myself to get better.
Soon enough, I began landing editorial assignments, and my journey took me to Tokyo. Through my girlfriend’s connections at the time (who is now my wife), I was introduced to art directors for fashion magazines there. It was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. Walking around Tokyo with my portfolio in hand, alone, was exhilarating—and actually landing an editorial job was the cherry on top. There was something magical about seeing my work in Japanese fashion magazines; it felt like a dream come true.
As my career continued to evolve, I wanted to broaden my range as an illustrator. I decided to explore portraiture for editorial work and began slowly building a portfolio in that direction. Before long, I was getting assignments from The New Yorker, the Washington Post to name a few, marking the beginning of my portrait commission career.
Then, suddenly and unexpectedly my wife and I were expecting a baby. One day, she suggested I start buying picture books to read to our child, which led me to a surprising realization. While browsing the children’s section of a bookstore, I was struck by the sheer number of beautifully illustrated books on the shelves. It hit me—this was an opportunity I had been overlooking all along. Inspired by my new role as a father, I decided to break into children’s book illustration. It was a slow start, but soon I began landing book cover assignments, which eventually led to full children’s book projects. Some of the most memorable and rewarding experiences were working on books with authors like Ruby Bridges and Cedella Marley.
What I’m most proud of in my illustration career is that I never allowed myself to be pigeonholed into one market or niche. To this day, I thrive on the variety and challenges each new assignment brings, constantly pushing my creative boundaries.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Being an illustrator means fulfilling my dreams and waking up every day grateful for what I’ve achieved. While it’s not always perfect and it definitely comes with its challenges, I wouldn’t change it for the world. Drawing is my passion, and I’ve found that drawing in public is a great way to connect with people. There’s something magical about capturing the essence of a sitter through my art. In my experience, it often helps people open up, making them feel at ease. And the best part? The smile I get when the client or sitter is happy with the final piece.
The ability to draw has opened doors for me in ways I never could’ve imagined. Because of my career in illustration, I now teach figure drawing at two art schools in New York City, Fashion Institute of Technology and The New School. I’ve also had the incredible opportunity to spend seven summers in Johannesburg, South Africa, sharing my knowledge of fashion illustration at Villioti Fashion Institute.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
It’s simple, support real art made by humans. There are so many talented artists all over the world—let’s support one another.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.johnjayart.com/
- Instagram: @johnjaycabuay
Image Credits
Photo: Me painting on an easel solo photo credit : Don Kilpatrick.