Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jon Francis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jon, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had started sooner?

I started my creative career much later in life. Though I have always been interested in art from the time I could hold a pencil, I did not pursue a serious career till more recently. In high school I was introduced to fine art and using art as a way to communicate ideas. I learned that it could be more than decorative and illustrative. This led to art being a much more serious interest for me. I went to college and closely studied classical painting techniques and historical development of modern art. But after college I stopped painting. I wasted a lot of time. I believe that everything happens for a reason, but I wish that I had started a more creative career much sooner. Being creative is an essential part of my being. It completes me as a person.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m an artist and painter from Colorado Springs. I focus my work on painting primarily urban landscapes. As a way of preserving and recording the local history, I paint local neon signs, buildings, trains and more as a way to elevate urban imagery. While many of these landscapes and images are specific to my hometown. I strive to paint them in a way that they might be any hotel or bar from any town across the US. We live in such a disposable society, these scenes from cities and towns all across the country are being swept away. I’m most proud of my work when it connects me to my community in new and diverse ways. Recently I painted a local icon sign from my city, “Michelle’s”. This local candy, and ice cream parlor opened in 1952 and closed a few years back. Since having painted this sign, I have found so many people connected to this place and I’ve heard many amazing stories. I was even contacted by a local business that currently has the old “Michelle’s” tables and chairs in their place of business. These connections deepen the importance of what I paint and broaden my understanding of my home town.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my view the best way society can support creatives is by being a part of the art community. The arts cannot survive in a vacuum. Without a community art cannot sustain itself. With community, artists have an audience to tell stories, and share new ideas. And when I speak of a community, it most often includes other artists. But to be a community that truly supports creatives, the community must be from all portions of society. Ultimately, you hope that your art speaks to this community, and they support you monetarily. This makes it possible for artist to continue to make art and the community can continue to grow.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being an artisty, is interacting with the community around my art. I love that my art can evoke memories and stories that connect my art and myself further into the community. By sharing images and art from my own community, I have learned so much about a history that hasn’t been told. I once painted a picture of a local liquor store in town. During the opening of my show the long-time owner of the store came by to see it. He told me stories about his business and how it was the first to hold a liquor license in Colorado Springs. Shortly after I met him, his business closed. I was so lucky to capture the original essence of his business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jonfrancis.art
• Instagram: @jonnie.2.bad
• Facebook: Jon Francis Art
• Linkedin: @jonnies2bad