Today we’d like to introduce you to John Harrison
Hi John, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve never not known myself to be a creative person even before I knew those impulses had a name. As a child and now as an adult I’ve enjoyed spending much of my time making noise, doodling, painting….really any form of expression with the means I had around me. As I became older I realized I was also a fan of others creativity and expression which became a massive point of connection with others and myself….a community and way to relate to existing.
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?
Yes and no…..I’d lean mostly yes because I feel like I found a way to relate to existing and learning through a creative outlook that has served me well. It’s a way to work through things….express myself….often in ways that are hard to quantify or put words to. Its a process I have learned to trust in even if I’m not sure where it is leading. At this point in my life that is exciting and I also find a comfort in it….to have a space and process that allows for exploration and learning.
That being said….you know….as you try and figure things out and make a living you need to have shelter, food, transportation and acquire music/art supplies. Those things cost money. Certainly challenges with that balance and figuring out the ways that worked for me to provide for myself. Trial and error….hustle…and being humbled…..it’s all a part of the equation.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a musician and visual artist. The processes for them are different but both share the same source in me. It allows for me to have different tools and relationships to explore in different ways but allowing options for my creativity.
I’m probably most well known for being the guy that paints astronauts, makes sounds as Jphono1 and co leading the music/artist collective Potluck Foundation.
I’m proud of being part of a creative community. I’ve learned a lot from artists that came before me and now that I’m older I feel like I can pass along the thoughts and ideas that were shared with me and that they will be shared with others….part of the flow that will continue long after I’m gone.
I’m not exactly sure what sets me apart from others but I focus much of what I do creatively to have the closest representation to who I am as a person. My hope is that who I am as a person comes through in my creative process. If a song or painting is shared I would like to think that it would be recognizable as me in that way.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Woah…..who knows. I don’t spend much of my time thinking that far ahead…..I don’t know who I will be or where I will be in five years….much less in ten.
What I do think is…..human connection is important…..its in our DNA. Music and art have always and will always represent human experience and connectivity. It’s universal….not hampered by language barriers and in fact represents much of what cannot be explained in worlds very well…..it’s feeling and often evokes emotional connection not explainable by language.
Currently with music and much visual art it feel like the wild wild west….which in my opinion is great….not a lot of gatekeepers telling folks what is available to them. So many interests and niche communities….so many ways to communicate with others and share your works. In my opinion it’s a really great time to be a creative person that wants to share. I tend to spend my time thinking about what I can control and focus on…..which is my creative process and work. Tangent with that to a lesser degree is how do I want to relate to sharing it with others in a way that is authentic to me….that can take some time to figure out what works best for you but again…..a lot of opportunities to create and share music/art unencumbered these days. Have some fun and find your people and be available for your people to also find you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jphono1.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jphono1/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jphono1visualart/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jphono1
