Life & Work with JD Shultz aka Human Brother

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to JD Shultz aka Human Brother.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in LA on Thanksgiving day into a family of professional artists. My mom and dad were well known artisans on the LA art scene from 1971, until they both passed away in recent years.

They paved the way for myself, my brother Adam, and sister Rachel, to become professional artists. We’re filled with gratitude for their love, guidance and support in the ways we chose to express ourselves.

I also got the music bug as a kid, so I jumped between both art forms. I went from learning to paint, to playing drums and guitar as a young boy. I was very driven and disciplined. I knew that one day, I would be doing this for a living and for pleasure.

Which brings us to today. I play multiple instruments, write, record and produce my own songs under my chosen name for music, “Human Brother”. I also enjoy a fruitful career as an artist/multimedia – painter.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a fairly smooth road, but it’s been a hustle. There’s a lot of freedom in the life of an artist, but you can’t just sit in your studio and expect to be discovered.

I’ve had to personally get out there and sell thousands of my own paintings over the last 30 years, by taking my art directly to the people. The paintings don’t just sell themselves. Artists have to sell themselves and their work if they want to be successful. The art hustle is real and people don’t break down your studio door to buy your work. I’ve been fortunate to make art for some of the worlds biggest celebrities and corporations, including Kobe Bryant, Larry King, MGM Resorts International, The Recording Academy, Guitar Center, Geddy Lee, Ryan Seacrest and Alanis Morissette, to name a few.

Doing charity work is imperative. I love giving back. I’ve been so fortunate to raise around $200K for charity with my art. I also love working with children. Art and music education is so important in the development of a child’s mind. They will apply their creativity to anything they do in life. The most successful people in business are the most creative thinkers. Even if it’s not art, they’re using their brain creatively to really stand out with their ideas. So teach kids art, music or anything creative and the world will be a more colorful and harmonious place.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think my passion and desire for success is my greatest asset. The days of being introverted and getting noticed by big galleries, publishers and art patrons are a thing of the past. I’m proud of my persistence and ability to adapt to the modern day business of selling my own art.

I paint what I feel and what I know, as well as what people want. My parents, Jack and Carole Shultz, gave me some great advice when I began selling my work. “You should have something for everyone” they said. Those words really struck a chord with me and became words I live by.

I paint mostly in acrylics and subconsciously connect to thought-provoking imagery, settings, figures, abstract and hidden shapes, color and design. And I do this all by having the time of my life. Having fun is the key to happiness.

Being in every moment is crucial to this life. In the blink of an eye, time will disappear. It’s very important for me to channel my inner self and emotions in the precious moments that will never return. I want to leave a monumental legacy of art and music.

I put the pedal to the medal while keeping a healthy and peaceful balance of mind.

Being present in my body, mind and spirit, allows me to create my best and most imaginative work. I’m truly blessed and happy to be deep inside myself and “My Art of Now”.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Anyone who’d like to be an artist professionally, must adapt to the changes that we see happening in our culture by the minute. We must catch that wave and keep our feet planted firmly on that surfboard of life that keeps moving.

Channel your true self to make a difference. Try to make art that is unique to your own and that can have a powerful and lasting impact to the viewer or listener.

If you can make people think, smile or sing along, you’re on the right track.

Persistence is key. Wake up every morning with a plan and a passion for what you’re creatively bringing to todays table.

There’s no shortage of talent out there. The more original you are, the more you stand out in a sea of unlimited and overexposed talent through social media. It’s the new normal.

Like your artwork, you need to be creative in the way you present it to the world. You need to take your talent seriously or nobody else will.

If you’re confident in yourself and ability, take that leap of faith and become a professional artist and “May the art be with you” – JD Shultz

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jdshultzart.com; www.jdshultz.com; www.thejdshultz.com
• Instagram:@jdshultztheartist
• Facebook: @thejdshultzgallery
• Twitter: @1humanbrother
• Youtube: YouTube.com/1humanbrother
• SoundCloud: humanbrother