Featured Post

It's So Hard to Say Goodbye...And Hello Again!

After more than a year of using my website's native blog feature, I regret that it just doesn't work for me.  :-(  There are many ...

April 20, 2021

One Hour Quarantine Chill

Many of you have probably seen my YouTube channel where I've shared a number of my artwork process videos, but finally we've come to a small milestone.  ONE HOUR SKETCHBOOK AND CHILL.  :-D  I'm not one to be on camera often, I've done some artist struggle videos but I'm mostly speaking on a subject to which I feel passionate about (being artsy) lol!   But I've never just... shot the $*#! on camera.  It was not very natural to me!

There was a learning curve to talking to myself (on camera) so I think I muttered "Umm" and "Like" about a million times :-O  Hahaha.  I edited as much of them as I could out, but many are still there for your viewing pleasure, perhaps it would be a fun drinking game! ☺️  So in keeping with being myself and overcoming the very real fear of...that, here's a video where we can talk, chill out, and oh yeah, do a little bit of drawing!


April 1, 2020

Quarantine Life

I'm so interested to see what life will be like when all this is over.  What things will change, what things have thrived and what things have withered away.  It's such a tough time for some many and surely Life in general will be affected for everyone in some way.

But I'm not here to talk so much about what the news is making us worry about.  While I can I'd rather offer up some distraction, education, and/or entertainment.  Someone told me blogs are coming back, *intrigued face* that is yet to be seen on my end, most people are still hung up on social media, myself included.  But a part of me misses coming here to hash it all out with whoever wants to listen. Haha.

I've done a few videos on life as an artist, and to be honest its not much different from quarantine life, except that I'm lucky enough to live more of my day as an artist.  I'll hate to give it up, but artist life doesn't pay my bills yet unfortunately.  With that in mind I turn to experts in the field and what they do to make their living.  There's so much information!  I'll have to start a notebook or something to contain it all.  Check out some of my favorites below.

My main sources are first on YouTube:
@arleebean
@frannerd
@audraauclair
@ergojosh
@DokeTV
@JacquelineDeLeon
@lulusketches

And quite a few others...there and Instagram. I soak up the information they have to offer like  a sponge, but in practice, always seems to be a different story.  In my more recent videos I discuss the woes of modern artists trying to live up to their potential, and it can be such a daunting task that its no wonder so many give up.  I've often had those thoughts, even though I told myself I never would.  I never plan to for sure.  But the fact that I'm older than I thought I'd be before I had some financial success, which is to say, very little right now, is a great cause for depression sometimes.

One thing keeps ringing true in my mind, but something I often ignore.  "You need a product not a project"  And boy do I have tons of projects!  So many things I want to do, so many creative avenues I can't wait to explore!  Many artists are like this I'm sure.  And then I watched this video by speaker and designer Chris Do @thechrisdo  and he explained this "shiny object syndrome" that many artists suffer from.  I recommend checking that video out here: The Futr - The Difference Between Art & Design

But to summarize, it has to do with the debate of "The Specialist" or "The Generalist"  that is to say, someone who specializes in one area of expertise, and one that practices a bit of everything.  No one goes to the doctor that also does culinary, and archery, painting, etc.  People go to the doctor that practices medicine and that's it.  But does that doctor do things in his spare time? OF course! The trick is being a "specialist" in professional practice, and being a "generalist" on your own time and mostly under the radar.  I'd say the generalist stuff will almost always inform your main work in positive ways.  But that doesn't mean you should go to advertise yourself as a Jack of all Trades.  Many times that title comes later anyway, once you're known for that one great thing, people discover what else you're capable of.  And wouldn't you know it, you just happen to have well rounded arsenal.  

Anyone that knows me knows I definitely suffer from Shiny Object Syndrome. I don't notice it very often because a lot of it has to do with my art, and to me, the focus is my art.  But on a more in depth level, I scatter my time between projects and end up having little time for any one thing, and especially the growth I'm looking for.  Which is to say, the business of my art.  I only have myself to blame.  It might also help, if I knew what kind of artist I really am? 

I studied traditional art, and have many experiences to continue that route, but here comes the syndrome and I want to do illustration, I want to be a cover artist, a comic artist, a character designer, a videographer, a youtuber, a teacher, and the list goes on.  Many of these things tie into diversifying income for me.  But its so so SO easy to get lost in all that.   So with so many aspirations what is someone like me to do? 

I think it boils down to getting more specific.  One thing that also rings true for a self sustaining artist life, is muliple streams of income.  This is definitely easier said than done, but I also can't be all things to everyone without making myself crazy.  (Gosh my nails have gotten so long in these past few weeks)
ME right now...
Where was I? I had to find this GIF, lol.  OK right, there is such a thing as stretching yourself too thin.  Burn out is real.  Artist block is real.  I probably don't have to tell you that. The other night I got lost in my new obsession creator, @DokeTV he's a very charismatic guy from Slovakia who does graffiti art.  I've seen some of his videos before, but this night, one caught my eye, and for some reason the idea struck a chord.  He bought a house for an art studio.  Cool, I see Youtubers, especially popular ones buying houses left and right.  But this was different.  I could already tell from the thumbnail, though it was a big house, it wasn't full of "curb appeal."  Did he go and buy and old house for the sake of redoing everything and exploding creatively all over it?  Yes he did.  I thought this was amazing.  He saved his money to find a space that he could go ham on.  Not a precious property to remain untouched and Instagram-worthy.  He could do whatever he wanted to it.  This little journey with the house drew me in, and I came across one of his other videos that seemed to be a turning point for him.

Up until this point he was an average graffiti artist.  Relatively unknown to me, but I have seen his videos show up in my feed.  I flipped back to earlier videos and saw that he made a turning point, to become a better artist.  He had a great following, he seemed happy doing what he loved, but he found a hole somewhere.  A hole that he could fill by improving and taking his audience on that journey.  He has a very simple plan.  And yet the dots began to connect.  He had focus, and he had a mission, and he wrote it down, and he stuck to it.  And every video afterward was a continuation of this goal, and his personality just got to shine in the midst of it all.  This was a lightbulb moment for me.  I felt stupid for one.  I watched so many artists like this.  I watched them not always to learn from them, but because I LIKED them.  They were funny, they were fun to watch.  Was I fun to watch? 

For some people yes, but I cringe watching my own videos.  Sometimes I just watch for the nostalgia of it all.  But overall, in my experience when too much of MY personal life snuck into the video, viewers got scarce.  But this guy... I knew nothing of his family, or situation, but he himself was a hoot!  It was just him being himself on camera.  I knew it.  I've seen this advice a million times from others.  Just be yourself, no one can be you, its the best commodity you have.  And I knew at this moment that my personality was lacking on screen.  And that the favorites I come back to over and over again, were the ones that the camera was barely there, and I was just hanging out with a friend.

And yet when the camera goes on, my mind flips to educator, people-pleaser, almost personality-less zombie.  I think that's what I've been cringing over when I see myself.  Not many people can handle being themselves much less watching themselves speak and emote on screen.  I certainly can't.  I have to credit @TheChrisDo again for his video that spoke about the inner critic.  Again, nothing that was new to me.  But he had small exercise that helped identify the things we tell ourselves, and then REPLACE those things with the thoughts of others.  That is to say, the opinions of those we love and who love us.  They would never be as harsh as we are on ourselves.  It's all about interrupting that thought process and becoming aware of that voice that isn't really ours in our head and belongs to the criticism we've heard over the tough times in our lives.  So lets replace those words with words of kindness from people who we deserve to be listening to.  As I write this I think of all the ways in which I've derailed myself.   I'll the things I've told myself that counter the dream.  So change those thoughts, because thoughts become your actions, and actions become your reality. 

And be your fucking self. 

October 2, 2019

Daniel Smith Watercolors Swatches!

These swatches have been in the works for quite some time!  Ever since my Epic Paint Haul video I've been working on getting color sets together and swatching them as well as painting a quick watercolor sketch.  It's been fun so far!  I hope these help you see what colors may work for you, and inspire you to get creative!

Check out the first video below!

PS - I've been working on getting some classes together on Skillshare.  Who would've thunk? ME? Teaching?!  Well we shall see what I come up with.


September 30, 2019

Favorite Watercolor Supplies!

Most of these I own, and some I've been drooling over for months.  Soon they will BE MINE!  *EVIL LAUGH*  ☺️ I've put this handy visual guide together for you to get started on your artist journey with watercolors.  This is by no means comprehensive, and there are hundreds of different choices, but these are my favorites at the moment.  Each picture will take you directly to the Amazon listing where you can buy and/or find something suitable for you!  Have fun!


September 27, 2019

New Studio!

Not sure I knew just how many times I'd have to set-up and take my down my studio in my life time, but here we are with a new one!

My new flat is awesome, small, but packed with everything I need, including all my ART SUPPLIES!  It's still a bit of a mess but it's workable.  And workable is the important part!  A creative must always find the time to make time for creative practices.  I've managed to throw a few things outside my studio into the mix.

Artist Dates, a concept born from The Artist's Way, is one way I've managed to keep the spark alive.  Nurturing the artist/child within by exposing it to fun creative environments, buying cheap fun art supplies or stationery, is the key to a successful date.  PLAY is the keyword.  I've also managed to a few of my friends in on the deal.

Finding time to spend with friends can be hard, but sharing my creative time with them and having painting sessions is one great way of getting some work in and inspiring others.  I find that my friends are always interested in what I do in the studio, and just where the magic happens.  It can be easy to forget when we're studying and improving, that other people do not spend such time on creativity.  This is one big reason I promote it to everyone.  It flexes different muscles, it fires a different set of pistons within the brain, and studies prove that it is beneficial to any and everyone!

With this thought in mind I've started a series of videos where I discuss the struggles of an artist, and hope to shed some light on the subject. Inspiration perhaps. Everyone needs a creative outlet, but there are mountains between us and our colorful endeavors.   One thing I hope to do is simply document my journey, tips I've stumbled on, and ways to make creativity part of your life.   It's not all glitter bombs and flash in the art world.  Trekking the hard trails and climbing the steep cliffs is daunting, but it can be done.  I intend to show its possible.




May 29, 2018

Epic Watercolor Paint Haul

I decided to film an unboxing video of my recent purchase from Daniel Smith Watercolors.  I've been using them since my college painting classes.  My friend Andre Williams (@artofandre) and I have been obsessed with them ever since.   We pulled our resources and created this massive paint haul, and now I'm sharing my selections with you!


This was a fun video to do, and share, and in future videos I'll be doing some swatching of the colors, so look out for that!

Thanks to Andre for sponsoring this video! :-D  He's a dear friend and you should go follow him on social media!
facebook.com/AndreWilliamsArt
instagram.com/artofandre


If you're looking or some watercolor or art supplies for you own, please consider using my personal affiliate links that support this blog, my videos, and art content!
Utrecht Art Supplies
Dick Blick Art Supplies

January 27, 2018

On Inner Demons...

"You cannot defeat  darkness by running from it, nor can you conquer  your inner demons by hiding them from the world.  In order to defeat the darkness, you must bring it into the light." 

-Seth Adam Smith

December 31, 2017

...On to the Next

Winter Demon - Watercolor, Ink, Digital - ©Johnny Perez 2017


It may be the biggest understatement to say that I am ready for this year to be over.   Maybe it's not the worst, but it is a close contender.   Looking back I see struggle after struggle, and yet I know that's not all it was.  

I hesitate to write any more than that.  

The real challenge here is to find the lesson, find the silver lining in all of 2017.  Good things happened.  I know that.  Bad things happen too, and usually get all the focus.

Staying positive is the right move.  But I'm here to convince you of that.   I began writing because its the end of the year, and if I need to accomplish something, it has to start here, with my thoughts, my actions, my work.   It has to start with getting back to what's important still.   I may not feel like it, and it's been hard to focus, but when all is said and done, I cannot let the problems of 2017 take me down another notch before its over.

This is my art blog where I let you in on my process, my inspiration, and in essence my mind.   It's chaotic in here guys, but please bear with me.   This psychobabble has some purpose I think.   For those that haven't a clue what I'm getting at, here it is.    The events of 2017 have spurred a need to get more personal.   These events began with recovering from a broken finger,  consequently trying to stay afloat financially, sinking into a quiet depression,  and ultimately the end of my relationship of 3 years.

Detail of Demon sketchbook study - ©Johnny Perez 2017

Finding pieces of myself that I've lost over the course of all this, has shown me that I don't have time to play around.   There ARE bigger problems than these.  That doesn't make it hurt less, but it at least helps put things in perspective.  With that in mind,  I recall the work I began with my last heartbreak.  Years ago, my goal was to work through the pain with my art.   I got pretty far in that endeavor, and honestly can't believe I'd lost most of that progress to find myself here again attempting to pick up where I left off.

It all began with the simplest of narratives,  Good vs. Evil.  Classic.  Easy.  I spent my nights photographing myself for reference.  The Hero looked like me, as did the Villain.  I had intended to make this short story comic book documenting my struggle with the Dark Side.   As I began to sketch out the photos, it seemed like too much.  As I tried to write a script,  I realized I'm not that kind of writer.   This was going to take time.  Life happened,  I recovered, and the project was benched.  It floated in the back of my mind for years now.

Reference photo - Self Portrait - ©Johnny Perez 2017

Now in the present, I am back to finish it.  Not just the project though, but the work I put into myself.   This latest setback was a shining reminder of what I'd left undone both on and off the page.   Things I thought I'd left in the past, reared their horned heads.   The hero is back on his journey with fresh Hell to pay.   This might get ugly.  I hope this explains a bit the direction I'm going, though.



Animated Winter Demon gif created by Werble app - ©Johnny Perez

November 11, 2017