We recently connected with Rodney Johnson and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Rodney thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I was extremely young. I auditioned for an Arts middle school doing illustration, stayed for music and taught myself graphic design before I was in high school. There was no real plan B, to be honest. Drawing anime characters or making music were things I got to practice early and latch onto.

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

My name is Rodney Johnson, and I create under the alias sptmbrborn. I’m a self taught portrait photographer and independent artist.

It’s probably been closer to 15 years now when I got interested in cameras; I would take my own photos to edit in Photoshop when I was in high school. Out of primary, I started working with local artist on videos and designing things in general.

I’m in my second year as a full time professional. My portrait work is comfortable. I use colors and communicate in a way that draws out an almost surreal, but honest and true thing to look at. To relate to.

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?

Not at all! So much of the stuff I learn from my creative process translates in non-creative environments. It’s all about that part; If you’re in a space to feel free what is going to be wrong?

When I was a manager, I would use the same side of my brain that thinks about composition to solve problems with people who would tell me they couldn’t relate until we did. I’ve done sessions with computer engineers and mechanics who tell em their stories, and they’re always amazed at how similar we actually are.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Doing this for myself. Creating with my friends.

Being able to just do the stuff I want to see, and how interested and committed others are to seeing it as well. It’s surreal sometimes. There was a long time I would doubt myself, even when others were throwing me support. Learning to listen in a new way has been rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sptmbrborn.xyz/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sptmbrborn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sptmbrborn
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sptmbrborn/
• Other: https://www.patreon.com/sptmbrborn281

Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/nataliiamoryns/ https://www.instagram.com/theprivate_affair/ https://www.instagram.com/ma.tcha.mamii/ https://www.instagram.com/jolee.jpg/ https://www.instagram.com/rea_naomi/ https://www.instagram.com/goldxliver/