We caught up with the brilliant and insightful John Joven a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi John , thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

That’s a wonderful question. You know, we are all shaped by our childhood—by environmental circumstances, relationships, and friends. But above all, the invaluable support, love, guidance, and kindness of our parents form the cornerstone for building confidence and becoming a meaningful part of society. I can now say that my parents, despite finding walls covered in scribbles, marker-drawn characters on tables, and stained clothes, saw an artist in me (even if just a budding one) and did everything they could to nurture my fledgling skills. They supported me with courses, books, comics, art materials, and, most importantly, the freedom to grow my artistic vision without any prejudice against the artist’s life. Instead, they focused on paving the best path to ensure I could pursue my dream. I love them dearly. Thank you so much, Cielo and Manuel!

John , 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?

I started my career as an illustrator about 30 years ago. It sounds like a lifetime, but I barely noticed the time passing! My journey began in high school, working with a design agency here in Colombia. I discovered countless opportunities doing what I loved: telling stories, painting, and spending my spare time drawing anything that inspired me. Back in the days before the internet, I was fortunate enough to present my work directly to publishers and newspapers, which hired me as a freelancer. It was a time when you delivered your work in person, on paper, using analog techniques—and often had to take a bus or two to get there!

Later, with the advent of the internet, I was able to connect with the world in new ways. This led me to work with an artist’s agent in New York, which allowed me to share my work globally. I collaborated on editorial projects, animations, and children’s books. Humor has always been a distinctive element in my work; I see it as a powerful tool to communicate ideas. Whenever possible, I strive to include a humorous situation, character, or subtle hint in the projects I participate in.

Nowadays, I divide my time between illustration and an old passion: painting. This has become my new goal—to develop a consistent and meaningful body of work as a painter. Some might say it’s late to pursue this path, but I disagree. I may not become the painter I aspire to be, but I will give it my best. What matters most is that I feel proud of trying.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

Sincerely, I’ve heard many stories about scams involving NFTs, which has made me hesitant to engage with them. I’ve received countless messages from people claiming to want to buy my work as NFTs, but most of them come from fake profiles or obvious scammers. Additionally, the environmental impact of NFTs and the significant resources required to make them viable are concerning. For these reasons, I believe most NFTs lack real value and are not something I’m currently interested in exploring.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As an artist, you create from the place that embodies your humanity. I believe this is the key to connecting with others on a profound, artistic level. Whether it’s a musician, writer, painter, or any other creative, we have the unique ability to touch people’s souls and instincts. Art provides us with powerful tools to craft meaningful and transformative moments that resonate deeply with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.johnjoven.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnjoven_/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/jjovenart/

Image Credits

All images: ©John Joven