Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Chatman.
Hi Joshua, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Funny enough, I’m not even from Atlanta. One of my closest friends, Cyndereaper—who was previously interviewed by Voyage ATL—nominated me because of the work I’ve done for her and many others. Being given the opportunity to tell my story through this platform is truly a dream come true.
My story begins in Louisiana. I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember—tracing, copying, and recreating anything that caught my eye, then trying to replicate it from memory. My imagination as a kid was unbound, and honestly, it still is. From doodling in notebooks throughout high school to custom painting shoes between 2017 and 2019, art was always present. However, I didn’t begin taking it seriously until the pandemic, when I got my first iPad in August of 2020 and fully committed to digital art.
Around that time, I was searching for an artist alias—something that truly represented me. Growing up on anime like Naruto and Afro Samurai, that influence naturally found its way into my style. My old PSN name was “ShadowNinja1118,” and I began playing with the idea of blending my love for ninjas with a larger purpose: showcasing Black people in every form, genre, and universe. That’s when AfroNinja was born—and I’ve never looked back. Six years later, the name still represents everything I stand for creatively.
A huge turning point for me was meeting my mentor, Indaviduall. Seeing him do exactly what I aspired to do—and having him take me under his wing—taught me what it truly means to be a digital artist and build a name from the ground up. Without that guidance, I wouldn’t be who I am today.
Since then, I’ve slowly gained recognition throughout blerd spaces and anime conventions, meeting creators I once only admired from a distance—RDCWorld1 at DreamCon, Berleezy, CoryxKenshin, and many others. I used to stay up all night creating fan art for my “YouTube Hall of Fame” collection, just for the chance to get it signed at conventions and put my name out there. Along the way, both fans and creators began recognizing my work—and eventually, recognizing me.
My long-term vision is to build an umbrella called AfroWrld—a creative space dedicated to uplifting smaller creators who want to go big. Through commissions like custom profile pictures, banners, emotes, and branding, I help creators stand out, look professional, and believe in the power of taking a chance on an independent artist. More than anything, I want to inspire people who look like me to keep going. We all start somewhere—you just have to take the first step.
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 definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One thing I’ve learned along this journey is that if you face no adversity, you’re probably on the wrong path. There’s a common misconception that being an artist is “easy” or not a real job, when in reality it comes with its own set of challenges—both creative and mental.
I’ve dealt with intense self-criticism and art block that can last anywhere from a few days to several months. There are moments when inspiration feels out of reach, and you start questioning your own abilities. On the business side, there are people who try to lowball commissions or even attempt scams, like fake large orders paid with cashier’s checks. Those experiences force you to learn quickly and protect your work.
Comparison is another constant struggle—looking at other artists and feeling either inspired or discouraged, wondering if you’re behind because you’re still studying the same fundamentals or refining your style. And then there’s imposter syndrome, which has probably been the hardest. You can have people around you telling you how much you’ve grown and how strong your work is, yet still feel like it’s not enough or that you don’t belong in the space.
Despite all of that, those challenges have shaped me into a stronger artist. They taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of trusting my own progress, even when it doesn’t feel visible in the moment.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a digital artist and illustrator, with a strong focus on character design, fan art, and creator branding. I create artwork inspired by my favorite fictional characters, content creators, and original characters that I plan to develop into stories of my own. At the core of my work is representation—specifically showcasing fictional characters through a Black lens to highlight and celebrate blerd culture.
A large part of what I’m known for is reimagining well-known characters with melanin, starting with Luffy from One Piece, and expanding that vision across different anime, games, and pop culture worlds over the years. That concept has become a signature of my style and purpose—taking characters people already love and showing them in ways that resonate more deeply with communities that don’t always see themselves represented.
What I’m most proud of are the connections my work has created. Fan art opened doors for me to meet creators I admired growing up, hand-deliver prints, get pieces signed, and sell my work at conventions. Turning online admiration into real-world relationships and opportunities has been incredibly rewarding.
What sets me apart is my dedication to both the craft and the client. I don’t just aim to meet expectations—I push to make each idea bigger, cleaner, and more impactful than what was originally imagined. Seeing a client light up when their vision comes to life is one of the most humbling experiences, and it’s what continues to drive me forward as an artist.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk is ever-present in the creative field, especially as a freelance artist. Choosing this path alone is a risk—there’s no guaranteed income, no set blueprint, and no promise that the work will always be consistent. There are moments when the idea of living solely off my art feels possible, and other times when it’s simply not realistic at this stage. Demand fluctuates, and not everyone will always need or want what you create.
One of the bigger risks I’ve taken was investing in equipment and resources to create short-form content around my art. The goal was to increase visibility, connect with a wider audience, and eventually bring in more clients. That kind of investment can feel like a gamble—especially when art block, burnout, or real life gets in the way and you’re not always able to show up creatively the way you want to.
That said, I believe risk is essential. It forces you to confront uncertainty and teaches you who you are under pressure. Not every risk pays off immediately, but each one leaves you with experience, clarity, and resilience. Even when the outcome isn’t what you hoped for, you come out of it stronger and more informed than before. In this field, growth doesn’t happen without stepping into the unknown.
Pricing:
- $75+ for portraits(profile pictures)
- $80+ for half body pieces(waist up)
- $100+ full body commission
- $125-150+ for logos, promo art, music covers
- $100-300+ for tattoo designs
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afroninja_wrld?igsh=YTdxdTQxcG1tODg3
- Twitter: https://x.com/AfroNinjaWrld
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@afroninja_wrld?_r=1&_t=ZP-93EnlkAnhSI
Image Credits
All credits to myself
