We were lucky to catch up with JP DiCarlo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, JP thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Although I didn’t start pursuing it until my mid thirties, I would say when I moved out of my parents house. I looked around my bedroom at my with White Zombie and Jenny McCarthy posters on the walls and thought “This is not the room of the super serious adult” that I thought I wanted to be.

So the search for rad art that defined me began. Back then, I knew nothing of the local art scene in the Tampa/St Pete area and there was definitely nothing really happening out in Holiday , FL. I browsed the dreaded big box stores, checked out a bunch f thrift spots and even garage sales. Nothing fit my vision for what I wanted.

Then I walked into my local art supply store. How hard could it be to just make art right? Picked out a pack of canvases, a few tubes of paint and the cheapest brushes they had. When I got home I unpacked all my supplies onto my bedroom floor unwrapped that first canvas and…. stared at it. Just like this screen when I started this interview and do you know what? I could feel it staring back at me. A real “neither of us know what the hell we’re doin” stare down , only I’m the one who’s actually able to blink. Took a deep breath, popped the top off a tube yellow paint and squeezed it directly on the canvas. Moved it around with my brush with insanely stiff bristles into a wide diamond shape. Repeated the process a few more times and I had created my first painting.

Now looking back… that piece is horrid and wouldn’t be showing it to anyone (those pictures died with MySpace anyways). That memory though remains along with my first lesson of what makes us artists. In that moment we start to create something from nothing is the moment we are artists.

JP, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Ah, the meat on the bones I guess you would say. I’m a self taught artist based out of Tampa, FL. Over the years I’ve created my own whimsical illustrative style that i can bring into anything from pop culture, wildlife, coastal and even my figurative nude pieces. If you can imagine it, I can bring it to life. I also love painting live at events! I’ve been lucky to paint at so many cool venues including The Florida Aquarium, 97x BBQ, so many local breweries like 7venth Sun and even charity events like the one I will be painting at on October 15th Rock The Dock for Hospice.

I first got into the putting my art out to the public biz when my wife and I had a children’s book published (The ABCs Of Being A Pirate). Once my wife Jamie found out I could draw not just paint we decided it would be fun to make a book for my son’s birthday. Well the last one we did matched the theme of his birthday party (Pirates duh we live in Tampa lol). Everyone at the party loved it and told us to send it to a publisher. Why not try right? Worst they can say is no. Well they said yes! One Kickstarter campaign and boom! Jamie’s a published author and yours truly is a published illustrator.

What I learned after that though, was how incredibly hard marketing is. I knew nothing then and I’m still learning now. But, I’ve met so many incredible people along the way that I owe so much to. That art community I knew nothing about when I first started ended up being a part of me that I didn’t know I needed. From Raeyn Smith showing me the ropes early on, M’Ria Swire to creating so many amazing opportunities for local artists like myself and rad artist like Mark Williams and Kara Voorhees Reynolds pushing me to be a better artist every day.

My main goal with my work is to bring joy to all that see it. Brightening up businesses and my collector’s homes with bright colors and fun themes. Reminding everyone how important art is and how much it’s needed in their lives.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Most people I would probably say the “why”. That can be really hard for people to get. The answer is simple for creatives… “Because I have to”. Annoying right?! Art is a part of my everyday routine whether it be creating or promoting and at this point in my life it’s essential. I feel I’m a better father, husband and all around human when I have that creative outlet. Anyone who’s known me over the years can tell you I’m not exactly what you would call a social butterfly. Art and interacting with people through it has pushed down a lot of the walls I used to put up. Some are still there, but hey, I’m still a work in progress.

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

There are so many ways to support artists. Buying art of course is always great but that’s not always an option for everyone. We 100% understand that. Show up to art shows! They’re all super fun I promise. If you see an artist out at an event tell them how much you like their work. That rad art on the walls at your local business? Let them know how awesome it is. (That helps keeps us there). Search out your art friends on social media! Like, comment and share! Social Media Algorithm’s are working against visual creators. Any help at all is amazing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jpdicarloart.com
• Instagram: @jpdicarloart
• Facebook: @jpdicarloart
• Twitter: @jpdicarloart
• Youtube: JP DiCarlo
• Other: TikTok – @jpdicarloart