Today we’d like to introduce you to Reginald Johnson Jr.
Hi Reginald, 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?
I’m an artist and entrepreneur born and raised in Memphis, TN, shaped by a family where creativity has always been a unifying force. Influenced early on by relatives who excelled in arts and crafts, I grew up drawing, painting, and creating mixed-media work. In 2022, I decided it was time to start being intentional about creating work that could be showcased in diverse environments. That following summer, I sustained a wrist and shoulder injury at work, which left me unable to work for weeks. As I recovered, I turned to art as a form of healing and self-expression, transforming my recovery into a creative outlet. This zeal eventually led to the founding of my art business, Complacent Priority, that same summer. Overall, looking back, what began as a personal outlet quickly evolved into a brand built on my lifelong passion for art, a pursuit that my family had always encouraged me to pursue.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey as a professional artist has been remarkably fulfilling, guided by a steady confidence in my craft. Holding a degree in visual arts and continually pursuing professional certifications, I’ve also discovered a deep passion for high school art education. As a creative, I find inspiration everywhere, which naturally keeps self-doubt at bay. I view my creations, whether personal projects or commissioned pieces, almost as living entities. Each painting begins in an “infant” stage and slowly matures into adulthood as it nears completion. Because of this organic process, no two pieces are ever the same; though they share the same foundational materials, each artwork follows its own unique path from start to finish. Looking ahead, there is still so much I want to explore, from mastering diverse techniques to envisioning the places my art can take me. I am incredibly proud of my dedication to this craft and the community that supports it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As an artist, my work explores abstract, loose, and illustrative forms, guided by my motto: “Creative art that makes you feel good about yourself.” I adore creating work that evokes strong positive emotion. In addition, having pieces that make one stop, stare, and question the purpose guiding the painting’s composition and theme. I’m able to achieve this well through bold color clashes, expressive line work, and layered textures. I love painting and creating art that represents and evokes determination, pride, and joy in minority communities, as well as animals and iconic characters from TV shows, music, and movies. Each piece I design is often filled with a combination of: acrylics, oils, paint markers, paint sticks, oil pastels, ink pen, Sharpies, spray paint, and collage materials. Artists such as Kerry James Marshall and Charly Palmer greatly inspire me. I draw on their use of narrative, texture, and color to tell stories about Black and minority individuals that celebrate identity and emotion. At its core, my art is about movement, distortion, and storytelling, inviting viewers to find pieces of their own journey within mine.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I view risk-taking as an essential catalyst for both personal and professional development. Staying entirely within what is comfortable often leads to stagnation, so I actively look for opportunities that challenge me to stretch my capabilities. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken is choosing to continually pivot, expand my knowledge, and step into new professional spaces, whether that means pursuing advanced certifications, taking on complex commissions, or learning entirely new artistic mediums from scratch. Stepping into the unknown always carries a fear of failure; however, I look at risk through a lens of probability. The more willing you are to put yourself in unfamiliar situations, the higher your capacity for growth. For me, the risk of staying in one place will always be greater than the risk of trying something new.
Pricing:
- $100-$750.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://complacent-priority.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/complacent_priority/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-johnson-jr-121502d/
- Twitter: https://x.com/artcpriority
