Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnny Duncan.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’ve always immersed myself in doodles as a kid. I started by drawing colors my grandfather would describe onto a roll of tracing paper. Soon after that I was creating my own universes and comics. I was creatively directionless until street art caught my eyes and heart. From there I started developing my style through my admiration for cartoons, video games, comics, and music. When I first moved to Texas from Florida I landed in New Braunfels, a nice quite place to put the flag down between San Antonio and Austin. I’ve helped develop the modern art scene here, bringing events like First Friday, Art Haus, and other platforms for creatives to showcase and promote their work to the public. I studied graphic design at the Art Institute of Austin. I was already on my own path and was just doing what I thought I had to do. Soon enough I decided I was finished with school and went on my way to art shows all over the I-35 corridor, Denver, Shoreditch, and Tokyo.
Please tell us about your art.
My work is like stepping into a yet to be buried time capsule that mixes street art and pop art, with a focus on intense colors, delicious foods, and wacky characters. I really just create whatever it is I enjoy. For the most part I prefer to put out positive messages and imagery that allows the audience to interpret the work for themselves. Sometimes I get caught in my feelings though. I know I can’t choose who likes my work and what they take from it, I just hope it makes people happy, or takes them to a better place if even for a moment. I’m all over the place when I produce work; whether it’s a mural, album cover, vinyl toy, clothing, a vehicle, and pretty much anything else I can get my hands on. All I know is there’s a big difference between existing and living. Doing my work makes me feel alive and I can’t live a life where my energy and time aren’t predominantly spent on doing something that I love. It would be cruel to deprive my heart and soul.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
I always tell people being an artist is a beautiful nightmare! Most of the nightmare part is the financial struggle. I’ve trained myself to stop worrying about money. Things seem to work out as much as they need to when the time is right. I’ve gone back and forth with freelancing then falling back to a day job, but I’m fortunate enough to stay afloat doing what I love. You do have to give it your all, quit going out, eating out, all that jazz. FOMO hits hard but when you realize you’re working towards something much more important that festival, or party, or whatever distraction it’s much more fulfilling when things do start to come together.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Currently I have a solo exhibition on display in Fort Worth at The Basement Lounge. I have done murals in Austin, New Braunfels, and San Antonio. There’s always my website (jenkins2d.com) and of course all social media @jenkins2d. I’m always open for commissions so do reach out!
Contact Info:
- Website: jenkins2d.com
- Email: jenkins2d@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenkins2d/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JENKINS2D/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenkins2d
Image Credit:
Jenkins2d
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