Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnny Duncan.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Johnny. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Who knew a five year old, a roll of tracing paper, and quality time with his grandfather would spark all of this. We used to hangout in the living room, and he would make up descriptions of cartoon characters for me to draw. Fast forward to middle school and I’m making comics with original characters. Even using some call backs from the tracing paper days. I always knew I was into art, but didn’t think of myself as an artist. It wasn’t until I discovered street art that I had finally found a proper home for my creative spark to grow.
There wasn’t much going on in the town I moved to in Texas, but after venturing out to events in Austin, San Marcos, and San Antonio, I started a few pop ups of my own in New Braunfels, TX. Eventually I came up to Fort Worth and had a few solo exhibitions. I try to be everywhere I can be.
After leaving the Art Institute I dove right into freelancing. Luckily, I would find work that allowed me to be myself in the work, and that kind of snowballed into other projects. After a brief feature in the Juxtapoz Magazine blog for some of my early illustration work, I was designing Adult Swim merch, collaborating with Google Fiber on a mural, painting alongside the Blue Dozen Collective, exhibiting work in Tokyo, London, and hitting Denver once a year. Now as a father I’m home much more often, and host the monthly First Friday NB art experience, while focusing on my personal work.
Has it been a smooth road?
Most definitely not a smooth journey. Still isn’t, but I feel I’m better at going along for the ride. In the beginning of 2019, I thought I was selling originals and merch in bulk to a store overseas. Long story short I got scammed heavy. I had to shut down my website, my store, and I’ve only just recently gotten a new site. Of course balancing day jobs, and overcoming artist blocks, you know the typical grind.
Tell us more about the business.
I have my hands in many buckets. From freelance graphic design, studio art, murals, my clothing line (Chill Infinity), hosting monthly art pop-ups, photography, and more. I’m all over the place, but that’s just because I have so many passions. I’m most known for my characters, bright colors, bold lines, and Japanese influence.
Luckily the body of work I’ve developed over the years can lend itself to all mediums very well. I can’t help but think about more and more expansions to the universe I’ve been painting all this time. I think if anything that I do sets me apart it’s the ability to work on both digital and physical canvases with a sharp clean style that seeps into top of mind recognition. You’ll quickly know the work is mine.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I’m not really one to worry about what’s next or who’s next. Although I think right here in Texas, you’ll see a huge cultural shift. We’re becoming more and more open to art and new outlets are arising all the time. I’m proud to see more and more opportunities for creators to express themselves and thrive from it.
Pricing:
- Design/Illustration $75-$300
- Original Paintings $100-$5,000
- Murals/Installations $300-$10,000
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jenkins2d.com
- Email: jenkins2d@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenkins2d/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JENKINS2D/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenkins2d
- voyagehouston.com | June 9, 2020