08/03/2026
Meet J3
John has spent the summer with us as an intern at AND Creative, and it’s been a pleasure getting to know him—not only as a member of our team, but as an artist.
Between helping out around the gallery, he’s been carving out time to create in the studio, and after seeing what he’s been working on, we knew we had to share a little about his practice. 🎨🖌️✨
John is an emerging artist working across drawing, painting, and mixed media. His work explores identity, culture, memory, and expression, drawing inspiration from his own experiences, the people around him, and the everyday moments that continue to stay with him.
He describes his process as beginning “without one.”
🗣️ “I have a constant need to create. It’s like a voice in me that’s constantly whispering, ‘MAKE SOMETHING.’”*
Most of his work starts with an idea, memory, or experience that keeps replaying in his mind until he finds a way to make it tangible. Those ideas often begin as quick sketches before evolving into larger, more layered pieces.
For the past several years, oil pastels have been John’s primary medium. More recently, he’s been challenging himself with acrylic washes, oil paint, and larger canvases, embracing experimentation as an essential part of growing as both an artist and a storyteller.
John also creates from a place of gratitude. He speaks often about the influence of Afro-diasporic artists, thinkers, and leaders whose resilience made it possible for artists like him to create freely. That perspective, paired with his curiosity about people, culture, and history, continues to shape the stories he tells through his work.
This fall, John will return to Morehouse College Morehouse College, where he’s studying Art and Sociology — bringing those studies into both his artistic practice and his interest in curation.
We’ve loved having John as part of the our team this summer and can’t wait to see where his creative journey takes him next.
John, thank you for spending your summer with us. We’re wishing you all the success as you head back to Morehouse, and we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way. 👏👏
