THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: Just as an alchemist transforms led into gold, is there an element of transformation in your creative expression? How does this process for you, connect to that of an alchemists?
JOONBUG: I think it’s that moment where the sudden excitement rushes over because I finally found a path from mind to paper. You get all these thoughts of what could be, what could not be, and you sketch all those thoughts, and there's one definitive line, and it goes from there. A lot of times I don't know what direction I'm going in. I just connect to that line, and then everything starts falling into place.
THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: Artists are often labeled as "stars.” Just as a star radiates light and the planets then reflect this light. Do you see your work behind the pen or behind the lens, as a reflection of this light?
JOONBUG: Yes in the sense that it’s a reflection of the idea manifested on the paper. The light could be the idea, the reflection could be how that light manifests in the tangible realm.
THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT: When an artist is not "creating" it is often labeled a "creative block." Where do you find the creative spark? What inspires your work and does it require a sense of courage to create from this unknown space?
JOONBUG: Amazing question!! I view the creative block as a challenge or opportunity. It's like one of those blessings in disguise. When there’s a creative block that just means that the path that you’re going on is too narrow. You have to widen that. Widen your path. Use the said block as more of a catalyst or fuel. You take yourself out of your comfort zone. The courage comes in the discomfort. That discomfort of what you’re feeling of the unfamiliar, you get this chance of rebirth, you’re stuck with this. You can either fold or make something great of it. Chances are if you’re looking for that change, you’re going to make the best of it. That’s the courage you need to have to make something of it. You have to put yourself outside of that. Is this really a block? Is this really going to stop me? I think it’s a good thing. You have to be ready to roll with the punches. I would love if people saw creative blocks as a form of good, not the other way around. It’s solvable. You’re just not thinking outside the box. You have to train your mind to think different ways. You grow. That’s the beauty of humans. We make the best of what we’re given all the time, lemons into lemonade.
JOONBUG: The Oil Guppies is my concept series of original characters, derived from oil spills, and serve as Mother Nature's way to counter. Each spill spawns a creature and, as it grows, absorbs the oil; the colorful display comes from the oil and water mix.
JOONBUG: My Dallas collective, Team From Nowhere, features a set of individuals from different backgrounds and for a magazine interview, I reimagined us as ninjas from the Edo Period. I've always loved the art style and this was good exercise, there are actually six characters.
JOONBUG: My default love will always be line work. With this project I delved into the gestural lines to convey movement and energy.
JOONBUG: These are the messy, charcoal-filled pages for the G-Eazy music video, Sad Boy. The project brought me together with an animator team, for the first time, and with that I learned a lot; good fun but time-consuming.
JOONBUG: These are two panels, volume four, from my Beanboy comic. He's a character from my clothing brand, Fresh Kaufee, whose origin story roots itself in: slavery, time travel, coffee, love, and growth. For now, it can exclusively be found via the Instagram hashtag, #beanboyfk. I am working on a tangible copy if Volume 1 so stay tuned - @freshkaufee on Instagram.
JOONBUG: Leon and I have been friends for a few years now, we sat down over coffee to discuss how we could create together. Our Aesthetic matched well which made this more a passion project, It gave me the chance to really explore one if my favorite illustrators, Robert Crumb, who created these Blue's Trading cards; it was perfect. Add in the sweet shot reference by Erin Rambo, who introduced me to The Kid.
All these projects have challenged me in ways i can only be grateful for, thanks for rocking with me, y’all.
- Joonbug
You can also find this story at RESPECT Magazine.
The Museum of Light is curated by:
Billy Johnson Jr., Adell Henderson, Joslyn Rose Lyons, Rafael Casal, Matt Smith, Malik Buie.