We were lucky to catch up with John Pagnam recently and have shared our conversation below.
John, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful projects I work on are the ones that fall within my own personal passions and interests. Making a living as a commercial artist you learn there’s sometimes a difference between the art you love and the art that makes you money. If you can bring those two things together then you’ve really got something.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a professional painter, illustrator and tattooer. I bartered my way into a tattoo apprenticeship with trade skills from my previous career as a framer/roofer. After becoming a competent tattooer I branched out into oil painting and pen/ink illustration. What sets me apart from others in my field besides my work is my ability to connect with people. Art is only half the product an artist sells the other half is the experience. This is especially true in tattooing. I am most proud of the work I’m doing now as it is a true reflection of who I am.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The journey of an artist is three levels.
1. Aspiring: You’re trying to make a living with art but don’t yet.
2. Professional: You now make a living with art.
3. Influential: Your work has influenced someone else to start their creative journey.
I have achieved the first two now my goal is to meaningfully impact a new generation of artists to create as my art heroes did for me.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Oh man so much of development I think is unlearning things as much learning them. It’s important to learn to recognize mindsets and philosophies that don’t serve you and adopt better ones. Oh man so much of development I think is unlearning things as much learning them. It’s important to learn to recognize mindsets and philosophies that don’t serve you and adopt better ones.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: jpagnam_art
- Facebook: John Pagnam