We recently connected with Johnny Luu and have shared our conversation below.

Johnny, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

In high school I had a passion for art. I would have rather be in art or drama class than any other. When I graduated I took a year off to figure out what I wanted to do. I always wanted to work or be a part of something like Pixar, Disney or something in the video game industry. But before I pursued classes in 3D animation and visual effects, I worked with a high school buddy of mine and we created independent comics together, I looked up to him as he had completed stories before I thought that was a thing. For a few years he created several mini-series and I did an issue here and there, until I brought some of my 3D schoolmates later on into the fold and we created an independent label here in Calgary, Alberta – Canada and published 3 anthologies during my tenure and attending several conventions in our province.

I left the group in 2007 to pursue my own aspirations and go back to school in Vancouver, BC – Canada and focused my studies in 3D animation and visual effects more and took the liking of 3D modeling and sculpting. Drawing was integral for designs, life drawing and such to create models and characters.

I continued the convention circuit in my hometown and in 2008 or 2009 I took it upon myself to be at an artist alley table and perform the show solo, not really sure what I was doing or prepared myself for, but all I know I was happy. I was happy to speak to strangers about all things pop culture, comics, art, movies, etc. I created and artbook of sketches and some prints, nothing huge just something simple and each purchase I offered a free sketch or sketches for 5 dollars.

The reactions of how people were in awe of what I drew for them, of their favourite character or a custom drawing of themselves as superheroes, made me glow. I was ecstatic and enjoyed the fact I got paid to do something I loved. Creating art and making an impact in some sort of way.

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?

For as long as I can remember I was drawing. Nothing else brought me into a sense of yearning of putting pencil to paper, painting, designing and creating my universe of characters. But I think everyone, as an artist followed the same path in some way, just differently.

I never thought I would be successful, or achieve any kind of celebrity status. That’s not what I was expecting or wanting. I did it for fun. Never did I think, because family told me to pursue other things that would be deemed ‘more’ successful than drawing cartoons or silly things. I didn’t want to be a doctor, nurse, dentist or computer engineer or whatever, the arts were what completed me.

Comics were my gateway and I would visit the local comic book store as much as I could when there was one close by. My friends would leave me as I would stay in the store talking to the staff and getting info where I could. It was a dream for someone of Asian heritage that thought they once could be an action movie start like Bruce Lee and broke the mold for Asian representation in film and the arts. He was such an inspiration and factor that I believed I could do anything no matter what the colour of my skin was. Then when I heard someone like Jim Lee was a big deal in the comics industry everything in my mind lit up and I had hope to become something.

I am passionate for a lot of things, but as the years have passed, not all years have been great and I’ve only come to learn that my passion for the art was the learning, the exploration of it and experimenting. I have always given the greatest advice to others but never listened to myself. Until recently. For that I tell you, if you’re reading this. Dont. Give. Up. Anything is possible, just take your time and your time will come. You may not be where you are at this moment or where you want to be, but it just means it isn’t your time yet and it has yet to come. So keep going.

With my education and skills, I provide graphic design services, illustrations, video editing, visual effects and some 3D modelling work. I put my passion for everything into every project that I do. Every stroke I do of the pencil, marker or on my digital tablet, it takes thought and care that I will bring the best of my ability to your request and hope that it makes them feel something as they look at the piece or when a project is completed.

Just having fun doing what I enjoy makes me life a bit more complete.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I get to do what I love. I get to see the smiles of people who come up to my artist alley booth and say some great things about my projects or work, but I also enjoy the ones that don’t. You can’t please everyone and art is so subjective that y0u have to understand that not everyone will like your stuff, you can’t make everyone happy and that isn’t the goal.

It’s the learning. I got laid off of my job at PlayStation of 11 years and worked remotely through the pandemic. I wasn’t creating very much art just a few video editing projects and design projects near the last 5-6 years of my tenure, I was mostly a sales rep. I went to a very dark place after we came out of the pandemic and it has taken a lot of time and therapy to realize that imposter syndrome is a curse and it’s something that shouldn’t dictate what you do. I allowed that to happen and have turned around to find the passion again. That was a long winded explanation, but it’s ALWAYS about the learning and growth in what you do with your art. You are going to make mistakes, you are going to create something you aren’t going to like or you see a detail that you could fixed up. But it’s too late. Take that experience and learn to apply to the next piece. I’ve learned to love experimenting and exploring what I can do. I’ve learned that not to do the art of the people. DO THE ART FOR YOURSELF.

That’s what I love, that’s what I find more rewarding in creating the next piece.

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

I’ve always believed in a community, that everything we do, if that person beside you is at their first show, that we all can learn from each other and help each other succeed.

Now I know not everyone is going to feel the same way and not everyone will like to be a part of it. But you have that choice to network with people and not connect with everyone. Not everyone is easy to work with or befriend. Find like-minded people and lift each other up. Help the creative ecosystem thrive by not thinking less of your peers and thinking more of collaborations and build bonds that can help each and everyone become successful.

For the general public, do your research. Please. With the growth of A.I and the implications they have for artists that have studied, practiced, endured hardships, fought through everything they could to get to where they are, support them. Support the people that not only have to live the same type of lives, as were are people too and we have just as many bills to pay, we have homes to take care of, children to feed and aspirations for a good life. Support them as best as you can in buying their art or talking about it with people. Go to comic conventions, read more comics, play more video games, don’t allow the people who have taken some of the joy out for us artists who craft and care more than anything to just create and want to just draw. Don’t support A.I. art.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: TheOnlyTephas
• Facebook: TheOnlyTephas
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnny-five/