Today we’d like to introduce you to Reginald Johnson Jr.
Hi Reginald, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My art journey began as a child. I was two years old when I started to show interest in art. As the years progressed, my passion and desire grew more assertive. While young, my art teacher showed my work at the Board of Education and entered it in art fairs in Memphis. I’ve been learning and interacting with art since elementary, middle, and high school.
Transitioning to college, indulging in art, and being around diverse artists have taught me a lot. I’m easily inspired and influenced by abstract or unusual creativity. Seeing people create works in all mediums while using a broad or narrow spectrum of colors, which still has a message or purpose, will forever be fascinating. The resources, opportunities, and ways my college (Middle Tennessee State University) has influenced a young artist like myself, are beneficial to my growth.
I started the art business over the summer after injuring myself at work. The art I strive to create is abstract, loose, and illustrative art. The motto and meaning behind the name Complacent Priority; means: “creative art that makes you feel good about yourself. (singing, drawing, dancing, etc.).” I want to design art to inspire buyers to feel determined as they accomplish their goals or to feel proud, encouraged, or energetic when they see my art.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The transition from always drawing to now just painting has been fun. There haven’t been any issues with signifying and learning to understand my style or aesthetic. One thing that has been a challenge to me is knowing and understanding what works and what doesn’t with my paintings. For example, color or lines and movement in my work can clash at times. Or perspective and the placement of my figures can also be an issue.
My college professors have been a big help, outside of family and friends, concerning their feedback. My teachers are showing and allowing me to see ways my art could be better or easier to read. It hasn’t been an easy journey with taking their feedback, but I always consider it and try. I love what I’m doing and how it’s illustrated, but they know it could be much more if I stepped out of my comfort zone and explored better ways to represent it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The creative mind I have, I feel, differs from many other artists I have met or seen images of their work. However, we have similarities, and that’s the ability to be proud of whatever we create but always overanalyze and are harsh on the work we produce.
With myself and my creative process, I feel my style is still developing, but it’s unique. The movement and distortion or exaggerated features within my art help it stand out. The clashing and use of colors, the immense line work, texture, and mixed mediums used; are what give my artwork its style. If you analyze the pieces I created from the summer, and now, it’s different; but they all tell a story. That’s what I’m most proud of; the excitement and joy my art brings to people are wholesome.
What matters most to you?
Being alive and spending time with family and friends, but outside of that, creating art.
It was a goal, but now it’s a lifestyle; to stay creative and expressive and not allow my environment or mental health to inflict my art. These things matter to me the most—just surrounding myself with people who don’t mind helping me grow as an artist and person. Having people let me know, “hey, your hard work and dedication to this aren’t going unnoticed. It will all pay off soon.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://complacent-priority.square.site/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/complacent_priority?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069931811662&mibextid=LQQJ4d
