JEAN-PAUL GERMAIN - MAKING ART LOOK EASY IS A GIFT

Usually most people go to a head shrink whenever they're feeling a little bit nutty in the head. But no. You don't want to do that, my friends! What you want to do instead is take out at pencil and go bonkers on a piece of paper. Trust me. It worked for my great mate Jean Paul, and I bet my bottom dollar it would work for you too. Bless him. 





1) What are your own origins, Jean-Paul? Plus what path did you take in life prior to getting to where you are today?   My origins start in New York City's South Bronx where I was bitten by a radioactive artistic spider. No, seriously. I read a plethora of comics as a teen & watched tons of TV & cartoons as a kid. According to my mother I have been drawing since I was about four.

The path I took was kind of a round about one. I took 'Commerical Art' classes -- now call 'Graphic Arts' classes -- in high school as well as 'Fashion Illustration' classes. You would think I would have gone to a Collegiate Art School like 'Fashion Institute of Technology', 'Parson's School of design', or 'School of Visual Arts'. But instead I went into the Marine Corps, from there I worked as a Dental Assistant for almost a decade, then private security, college, & then finally Law Enforcement... and all the while I never stopped drawing. Even in Marine Corps bootcamp I was the company scribe. That allowed me a couple of hours off to design our company flag.

2) What inspired you into becoming an artist?   I believe I was born an artist. I think since I held my first crayon in my right hand I was inspired to draw & become an artist. I've always had an eye for fine detail & colors. I realized that I had a knack for drawing in about fourth grade where I was noticably a bit more advance than my peers.

When I was 14, I was given a comicbook, "The Art of John Byrne", this book changed my life, I was hooked. I became motivated to become a better artist when my amazing wife, Lora, redesigned & updated my website & suggested I could make profit doing portraiture's -- she was correct. My artwork became a passion when my best friend got me my first high paying project -- which paid me more in 45 minutes than 2 days work -- but that's an exception and not a rule.

3) Can you tell us about some of the art projects you’ve worked on?   About 2 months ago I had my first art showing here in New York City on the upper Westside sponsored by New York Realism. I've done multiple collaborations with up and coming artists on Facebook's: "The Mobile Artists Collective Group Page", "Autodesk Sketchbook Pro Group page", plus I recently redid a character showcased by "Independent Creators Connection's". I've done character designs for various webpages (Young Ladies Connection), I've even designed a collectible coin for the NYPD. I've done digital portraiture for multiple clients, urban fashion design for Billie Blunt online fashion magazine, as well as Graffiti T-shirt design for Art Spot Airbrush & many more projects.

4) What song would you say best represents your style of art and why?   "Let The Groove Get In" off 'The 20/20 Experience' by Justin Timberlake represents my style if made into music. If you listen to the song's beat, tempo, melody, & dancability, its all me rapped up in 7 minutes & 11 seconds.

5) If you could get a celebrity – either living or dead – to promote your wares, who would you choose, and why would you want to choose this particular person?   I would choose Michael Jackson to represent my brand. He was the best at what he did for almost 4 decades. I'd like to be a fraction as talented 'illustration-wise' & have a similar tenure. MJ was also a talented illustrator.

6) What have you learnt about yourself through this endeavour?   I have learned patience & that I'm constantly still learning & wanting to learn more.

7) During your time in this field, what is the one thing that has kept you in good stead?   My artwork is my therapy. It has kept me focused, level headed, humble, out of trouble & has allowed me to meet some of the best people.

8) If you had a personal motto, what would it be?   My personal motto would be: "Making it look easy is a gift".

Now for any more information about Jean Paul and his artistic efforts, please feel free to pop on over to his official facebook page located at, 'Digital Artwork by JP Germain'. Go on. Give it a click and see for yourself what he has in store.