Today we’d like to introduce you to Julius Mason.
Hi Julius, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Everything started as a child, maybe around the age of 5. I’ve always had a creative imagination.I gained a habit of placing those ideas on paper around pre-k. Also my mother did a little bit of drawing as well, and I thought that was cool so I wanted to do the same thing. It started from drawing the typical stick figures , drawing “cat people”, foot ninjas, and other things from Cartoon Network. Then I got a little older and Dragon Ball Z came into the picture, so I was drawing that and of course I started gaining hobbies, so I started drawings shoes, cars, hip hop stars. If you remember the Vibe magazines, I use to love drawing the front covers of those. Then high school came. I was ready to learn how to draw people, but I did not know where to start. Luckily I had an art teacher who saw my gift and he gave me knowledge to run with. Now in adulthood I’ve learned so much over the years. I will say practice does make progress for sure. Considering I was only a drawer for majority of my life, Now I’ve jumped ship to painting. I’ve been painting for 6 years now and it’s kind of hard to believe that it’s only been 6 cause I have learned so much with painting.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t say it was smooth. I think trying to find my own style in art has always been a difficult thing for me cause I just wanted my work to stand out. I wanted one to see a piece of art and know that it was me that did it. Trying to develop your skills is another task in itself. Like how can I make this portrait more realistic or are the proportions right on this person face that I just sketched out. Overall though I don’t regret any of it, I just think my mind of overthinking all of my work caused the bumpy roads
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
So I do paint as a side gig and mostly as a hobby. I specialize in acrylic paint to be exact. I have used prismacolor pencils and markers in the past but painting is my main focus. I believe I am known for as the guy with the gummy paintings and nostalgic, vibrant, urban type of paintings. I believe that I’ve finally found my style of work which is the mixtures of gummies, urban, and nostalgic concepts being implemented in my work. I am very proud of that. The gummies in my paintings is an ode to my granddad. The memories when I was a child he would take me to the country store and buy me gummy bears or worms with a Coca Cola. I lost him at an early age so I cherish those moments so that concept represents him. Also his name was “Artis” which will always be a dope name to me. Also I’ve learned how to use my imagination all over again just like when I was kid to come up with some of my ideas which I am very proud of that .
What makes you happy?
My wife gives me joy. She brings out a side of me I didn’t know I had. She’s really the kind of person that is hard to find in today’s world. Her pure heart and her caring soul is what makes me happy and that’s something I will always protect. Art also makes me happy. I’ve always looked at it as something that puts a pause on real world situations. Sometimes it makes me feel like a kid again being in my room for hours just drawing and creating. Art is my escape. It is my passion. The happiness from completing a piece from start to finish is unmatched.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/juwopchannel
- Facebook: Ju Mason
