Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnny Draco.
Hi Johnny, 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?
To condense my story, I grew up loving to draw. I would enter in drawing contests in school and create paintings for my parent’s co-workers. I’ve even had people sponsor me in summer art programs as a child. As I grew older and graduated from high school, I shifted my focus to political science. While attending Morehouse college, I joined the Army ROTC with a track to become a Lieutenant. The more time I spent in ROTC, the more I began to feel uneasy about the decisions I was making. I thought maybe if I had a side gig, it would balance out the feeling. Having heavy inspiration from johnny cupcakes, kidrobot, and hundreds, I decided to create a clothing brand called L8RZ. From there, I began to teach myself design, typography, and photography in creating looks, styles and designs. In my junior year of college, I decided to randomly go to a gallery show that featured a fashion designer from NY. That’s when I stumbled on ABV Gallery. A couple of weeks later, I found out that an internship was opening at the gallery. I decided to apply on a whim and got the internship.
At that internship, everything changed. All of the cool and diverse projects that happened during that internship opened my world of art and design. From there, I began to do more design and art, not only in my brand L8RZ but as Johnny Draco. I began to get clients and gigs that let me travel away from Atlanta. A couple of years pass and I’m out of ROTC with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. I’m still doing client work, and see a job opening for a graphic designer at kidrobot. I said some prayers and sent my application for the position. A couple of months later, I was able to land the job and was on my way to Boulder, CO. There I designed an immense amount of vinyl figures, packaging, and fashion for the brand. After a three years run, I decided to go back to my roots and become a freelancer. Now I run a design studio called Wehaverealize. We create a number of murals, logos, animations, and more for the Metro Denver and Atlanta area.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think no road is ever really smooth. We all have our struggles, perspectively. I’ve dealt with imposter syndrome a lot through this process. It’s something that likes to creep if you’re not watching.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist and designer. Staying in one field of art is unsettling, so I bounce between disciplines and study other art forms. I create murals, logos, illustrations, animations, vinyl toys, and clothing through my studio Wehaverealize. I also create singular-painted pieces as Johnny Draco and show work in galleries. I’m most proud of the experiences that led me here. I never thought I would work with so many different people and create. The only thing that can set me apart from others is the singular fact that I am me. Not in a boasting manner, but I can only create what I see and experience.
What matters most to you? Why?
Family and friends matter most to me. Without those key factors and experiences in my life, I wouldn’t be who I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wehaverealize.com / www.bydraco.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/wehaverealize / www.instagram.com/johnnydraco_
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/wehaverealize
