Patience, Uncertainty, and Dish Washing: How Jonni Cheatwood Became a Renowned Artist and Built a Business Along the Way

He dropped out of college without a clear sense of direction.

Then one day, while working in the “dish pit” at a restaurant, he received a call that Usher Raymond wanted to collaborate with him (cue the lyrics to Let It Burn).

It was a 7-year journey of financial struggles, latte-making shifts, and uncertainty that ultimately led to exhibitions across the globe – from the USA to Australia, Hong Kong, Finland, London, Berlin, Beirut, and Shanghai.

In this episode, Marcus Murphy, my co-host, and I have the privilege of interviewing Jonni Cheatwood about the business of art, the lessons he gained from more than a few mistakes along the way, and his path from college dropout to a successful full-time artist (y’all, Jonni is LEGIT - he has collaborations with businesses like Target and TedX!).

Click play to hear all of this and…

[00:01:05] Jonni’s upbringing in a home filled with art and his early exposure to art museums.

[00:05:00] Jonni’s journey from taking art classes in high school to dedicating his whole life to art and his career.

[00:08:59] How Jonni experimented with trying different things to discover personal passions and self-understanding.

[00:11:27] How Jonni views failures as learning experiences and navigates how to find his place in the art world.

[00:16:18] Jonni’s early experiences with art and the start of his painting career.

[00:17:08] How Jonni felt when he made his first sale and the realization that his artwork can be bought and sold.

[00:20:53] The role of friends and community in Jonni’s artistic journey 

[00:24:17] The power of painting in public 

[00:26:01] The process of starting a painting and the challenges of working with a blank canvas.

[00:29:15] The importance of taking breaks and gaining perspective in the creative process.

[00:34:54] How Jonni’s painting in a Tumblr competition led to Usher reaching out to collaborate on a project.

[00:39:05] The challenges Jonni faced when he moved to LA to pursue his art career and how he eventually got introduced to an artist's residency.

[00:44:49] How galleries represent and advocate for artists, and the dynamics of reaching out to galleries.

[00:47:18] The importance of persistence in the art world and the ability to say no to opportunities that don't serve the artist's goals.

[00:49:49] The importance of seeing the process of creating art and the challenges of sharing it on social media.

[00:54:06] The importance of sharing an artist's journey and experiences with the world, and the value of interviews and storytelling in the art community.

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