We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Justin Michael Will. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Justin below.
Justin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Practice, practice, practice. Most of the confidence I have in my work comes from a strong knowledge of materials and their application, so trying new tools and using them often has been a huge part of my learning process. For me, art school was far too expensive in the long run, but I do cherish the courses that focused on color theory, traditional typography, and life drawing. Having those things to lean on and build from, I can create with a bit more purpose and focus.
While materials and their use have fascinated and guided me, I think the main thing standing in my way is my own tendency to lean on my favorite materials a bit too much. For example, I love ink and acrylic paint. I understand how they work on a variety of surfaces, and I really can make them shine with great control of line and speed of application. But toss me a block of clay and I am near useless. I’ve leaned on my favorite tools for so long, I find myself wishing I could try new things. The good news? I totally still can.
Sharing ideas and exploring the community of artists around me, I am not too fearful of getting over that hurdle. I think we all learn together as artists, especially in a city like Cleveland where the scene is changing and growing in so many ways. Learning as an artist takes balance and patience, and with the guidance of my peers and some attention to my own creative habits, I am excited to continue to learn and grow as an artist!
Justin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Though I began drawing at a very young age, I didn’t start taking it seriously until I was in my late 20s. While working at my local art supply store, I was fortunate enough to meet other artists and creatives from Cleveland and beyond. Through these connections I started gaining the confidence to take on small custom illustration pieces: logos, band flyers, album covers – anything fun that someone was willing to pay me for. That feeling of creating something for yourself, then realizing that other people also experience the joy and whimsy you were trying to shove out into the world? That’s the feeling that got me hooked, the one that I still lean on to this day.
I’ve worked for local venues creating flyers, shown work in local restaurants and coffee shops, and painted a few murals around Cleveland. I’ve shown in a number of local galleries and even curated and installed others work. I have a website where I sell my own custom stickers, prints, hand-made zines, and greeting cards all created and printed at my home studio. I make things for people who need a little bit more laughter in their life, folks who need a reminder, like me, to enjoy the moment in front of us. I like to remind people to pay attention to today, but to not be too worried if you can’t – tomorrow will be today too.
Over the past ten years I have tried to create something whimsical, colorful, and joyful every day. I love sharing what I make, and I live to hear people laugh with or find inspiration from something I’ve made. In 2018 I worked with LAND studio to install a large temporary mural on their rotating art wall in Public Square. The piece, titled “The Land is Just Wonderful,” was a literal display of the message, showcasing a bright world of creatures and plant life living in happiness. My goal was to make people smile and think about the better parts of their day, and I still get comments on it 5 years later. Even though the mural is no longer there, it still sticks with me and with many of the wonderful people who happened to walk by in search of some sunshine.
In the 14 years I worked in art supplies, I met folks from Cleveland and beyond and got to hear their story and witness their creativity. At times I was able to travel and connect with creatives, it was beyond fantastic. Near the end of my tenure, however, I had worked in retail for close to 30 years. In 2022 I found myself a changed person, no longer able to enjoy the parts of my job that I once had, so I decided to leave and focus on creating art full time. Big change. Big gulp.
It’s been a little over a year, and it has a been an absolutely wild ride. I am still creating daily, and have since painted 3 murals and attended a number of pop-up shops and art fairs. I recently met with some friends, old and new, to help curate and install Bazaarbeque 10 (a group show of over 115 artists) at Kink Contemporary. I stay busy creating custom wobbly portraits, handmade zines and original drawings, and custom illustrations for some pretty wonderful local businesses. Like Noble Beast Brewing, where I illustrate and design beer labels for some of the best beers you’ll ever have, and am hosting a pretty rad Halloween art pop-up with a few of my favorite local creatives and friends.
I’m just out here creating joy and whimsy, and if you’re ever in need – I’d love to create some for you!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
When I make something super silly and hear some one laugh, that’s rad. Then someone else walks by and laughs with them, then we’re all laughing at this little doodle or joke I put on paper – that is a big reward. When I draw or paint a little positive message and share it on Insta, then see it shared or find comments that let me know I’ve brightened someones day? Huge reward. When someone buys something from me because they saw another version of it at their friend’s house and just had to have it for their wall? I mean, c’mon. This is why I create.
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.
This is something I talk about with my fellow creatives from time to time – two common snags in the creative process, both stemming from simply not knowing and not asking, relate to creative content and the cost of an artist’s work. First, from time to time I am asked to create something similar to another artist’s style or vision. Wether or not I am capable, I tend to stick to what brings me joy. I don’t have fun creating realistic portraits, for example, so I don’t offer them. A handful of times I’ve been flattered with comments like “you’re so good at art, you can probably make anything,” but if I am not able to put my joy into it – how will it bring joy to you? I am always happy to recommend an artist I know who can step up to the job, just know that when an artist turns down an idea you might have – it might just not be something they are comfortable with.
The other thing non-creatives (and creatives alike) struggle with, is pricing and cost. Cost of goods, cost of work, first draft, sketches, revisions, mock-ups – so many things factor into how artists must price their work. Insurance, taxes, travel – these things are more expensive than ever – and we need to be thoughtful as artists and consumers when considering what we need, want, and are able to offer. Communication is key here – being honest about what you expect to pay or receive for a piece of art. I think it’s on us as artists to help educate our customers and ourselves, and talking about it more is the first step. I am still learning helpful tools about my pricing and how I should value what I create. Get out there and ask questions, and share your answers!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.justinmichaelwill.com
- Instagram: JustinMichaelWill
Image Credits
Bob Perkoski, Lee Sechrist, and Grace McConnell