Today we’d like to introduce you to John Axtell.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
By way of the brief introduction, I am originally from Utah. I attended college there and got my degree in advertising with an emphasis in a copywriter.
As an artist, however, I had a unique story. Writing has always come naturally to me but I really didn’t figure that out until my second year in college. I knew I wanted to do something creative for a career, but I also was hesitant about going for a major that focused solely on art or writing. I landed on advertising as I found it to be an interesting marriage between art and business. For the first year and a half of studying advertising, I was focused solely on my copywriting, but due to an unforeseen (and at the time frustrating) circumstance, I quickly had to develop my skills as a visual artist. Every since then, I have tried to develop both my writing and art skills.
Please tell us about your art.
I love pop culture, particularly Disney. All my art has a tie to Disney in some degree. I like taking icons that everyone knows and trying to update them or treat them in a sophisticated way. For example, I currently have an ongoing project in which I create fake book covers for books written by Disney characters or inspired by a Disney Animation film. The goal is to have one created for every Disney Animation film to date.
I think we are so used to seeing these icons, I just really want people to look at it and see an interesting interpretation.
I really don’t have a style and I love learning or trying to embody various approaches to art. Since I’m not a trained artist in the true sense of the word, this is has given me great liberty to explore without a fear of failure.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
I think the ultimate success for me is when I look back at a project and that I get the same thrill seeing it as I had when creating it. Great projects should be timeless to you. If you’ve put in the work, you will have edited out all the mistakes or details that could result in you disliking that piece further down the line.
I find for me it is empowering to have projects that you are the sole creator, editor, reviewer, etc. Being in the creative industry, your work is naturally supposed to be critiqued by others, but you’ll always feel successful when you, and you alone, can have full control over a side personal project. At the end of the day, being able to stick with a project that you have to be self-motivated to finish is a definite success in my book.
Contact Info:
- Website: john-axtell.com
- Instagram: @axtell.johnny
- Other: tobewished.com
Image Credit:
Rose Swain for personal photograph
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