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

Alright, Jon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I have been an artist all my life, one of my earliest memories was drawing with crayons all over my mother’s newly painted living room walls and painting murals on the back of my father’s automotive repair and paint shop using buckets of car enamels. My mother used to tell the story of how I once caught a container full of worms and painted them red and blue so that when I let them loose, I could find them when we went fishing. Instead of being upset with me my parents saw something in my peculiar behaviors and fostered my interest in the arts by sending me to local painting classes. I really can’t imagine doing anything besides being an artist, It’s just a part of me and who I am, it’s not something you can separate out. Nothing brings me more happiness than the act of creating a work of art. Thats not to say it’s not a lot of work, it comes with its own challenges and frustrations but it is the process of working things out and making new discoveries that keeps it alive and exciting, Sometimes I may spend weeks perfecting something only to find that I need to sacrifice it by painting over it for the sake of the composition. I Have worked many other jobs to help pay the bills over the years. I still work as an art professor, which is another great avenue, sharing what I know with students and seeing how the act of making something that they are proud of energizes them and helps give them a sense of self-worth.

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?

As I was always making art as a child it was obvious to me that I would continue this path by majoring in art as an undergraduate and then later graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Masison. After graduating I moved to the art capital of the world New York City where I worked many odd jobs including being an artist assistant to several well-known artists, At this time I was exhibiting my paintings and getting invited to exhibit in group shows, which led me to my first solo exhibition and gallery representation In Boston Massachusetts at a great gallery called miller Block. This exhibition was followed by positive art reviews and art grants which helped propel my career further. Having the opportunity to show my work and share my vision with so many people is very rewarding, One exhibition I had that stands out was at the New Jersey Museum of Art, I had a clear vision of creating a complete environment including paintings, sculpture and even a sound element which was produced by my brother Austin, who is a fellow creative. During this period I was also doing a 6-month artist residency in Sheboygan Wisconsin at Kholer Arts In Industry the same people who make sinks, bathtubs, etc… this was an amazing experience that took me out of my comfort zone and broadened my artistic vocabulary. I currently exhibit my work in New Orleans at Arthur Roger Gallery, I am working toward my first exhibition there in 2024.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

2 years ago my partner Ramon and I transitioned from New York City to Laurel Mississippi. I know this is a long way from New York City and that was kind of the point. In Mississippi, I am able to have a large studio which is my own sanctuary something that was not affordable or obtainable In New York. We also run an Airbnb where we get to meet all kinds of interesting people from all over the world. Laurel is where the Television Program “Home Town” is filmed, it’s the hottest home renovation program on HGTV starring Erin and Ben Napier. Yes, I and Ramon were on the show, season 6 episode 2, It was a wild ride and a leap of faith moving to the deep south a place neither one of us had even visited. But we have no regrets each day is a new adventure, and you only live once. We love our home and having our own space and garden, we also adopted the curest rescue dog, Lady Spencer Buckley. We have a website, Ginerbirdart.com where we blog about life in a small town and also sell art prints. Selling prints at an affordable price has been a great way to share my work with a broader audience. This also helps support and keep my practice alive.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Sometimes I think that noncreative types don’t always understand the kind of persistence and dedication it takes to maintain a career as an artist. In my early years, I remember coming home from work after a long day and sitting down in front of a canvas only to get to work another 4 or so hours, then go to bed and do it all over again. I’m not complaining, creating art is a labor of love and I would not have it any over way. I also remember sacrificing going out to meet with friends or some event because I needed to go get work done in the studio. There is a lot of competition out there and on top of making the artwork there is researching and applying for art-related opportunities like grants or residencies, which you may or most of the time don’t get. But it’s all a part of the bigger picture and It has afforded me the ability to continue to do what I love most and that’s making art.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gingerbirdart.com. https://jonrappleye.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonrappleye
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrappleye1/