My Birthday (Game Night) Celebration

When game nights and birthdays collide this is whatcha get!

I’m not the type to make a big deal out of my birthday (except for when I hit the 40 mark. All bets are off then. For real! Lol!). So when my wife asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I answered, jokingly, “to be surrounded by love and support”. Well, she really took that to heart and began working on something pretty special.

She put together a football themed game night and invited a small list of people in our circle. I didn’t know what she planned and I didn’t know who all would be showing up. All I knew is that we were having something at the crib. And because we’ve had some pretty epic game nights in the past, I decided to book a young and talented videographer (High Club Productions) to come through and document the experience and this is the result.

As a prize for the night I painted a bottle of Friexenet Champagne (see below). I had fun with this bottle and as a result, I’m currently thinking of doing a collection of them. Stay tuned.

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I’d like to send a very special thanks to my wife for putting together an amazing event as well as everyone who came to celebrate with me. I’d also like to thank all of you who called, texted, commented (verbally and through social media).

video shot by: @highclubproductions | highclubpro.com

VideoAndre Johnson
Junious In The Ih.Lek.Trik Lookbook
 

It’s a pleasure and honor to get my red collection feature in the new ih.lek.trik consignment lookbook. I want to send a huge shout out to @rcfashionu and all involved in the production of the shoot. It came out blazin'. Check it out!

Credits to:

Consignment Shop: @ih.lek.trik
For: @rcfashionu
Stylist: @rellyluv & @aysia_baysia
Photography: @dom_khun

 
Canvas To Cotton Show Recap
 

On November 3 (which happened to be a day before my birthday.) I partnered up with Threadcount™ Shirts, for my first ever artshow, to usher in a fresh take on the ‘Art Gallery’ experience. The owners (Jason and Chris Salas) had a vision to utilize their shop as space for a monthly artist spotlight event series titled "Canvas To Cotton". Their goal for the event was to feature a new artist each month and yours truly was the first artist to get the call.

The funny thing is, when I got the call, I was a bit skeptical. I was on the fence because Threadcount Shirts offers direct-to-garment, digital printing, with the capability to print one-off custom tshirts. Most of my previous experiences with printers who offer these types of "quick-print" services have been: low quality garments, shady service and bad printing. But my experience with Jason and Chris, was completely opposite!

We set up an initial meeting at their shop located in Richmond, VA which left me thoroughly impressed. I got such a great vibe from them and the way they'd presented their space that we sealed the deal that day with a hand shake and good faith (which is rare these days.). After we wrapped, I left and got right to work on the concept of the show and how I wanted to display my work.

 

The Concept

The concept of my show was to introduce myself as an artist, establish my name and to share my current works to the Richmond, VA community. The name Junious was my grandfathers name and serves as my middle name. I am pushing the name to the forefront to pay homage to him and to honor his legacy. 

Show Preparation

There was a tremendous amount of work and effort that went into the preparation leading up to and during the show. Everything that was on display was created specifically for the show. The exception being the collectible figurines. In all, I had over 40 pieces of work on-hand at the show! And because I work as both  senior level designer and freelance designer, I had to work many late nights to get work done and show ready. Everything from producing the art, converting artwork to digital files for printing, framing, selecting the best pieces to show, old school street promotion, you name it. I did it. Surprisingly, everything went really smooth. There weren't many "OH CRAP!" moments. I'm hopeful that this is the case for every show I do... Key word, "hopeful".

Showtime!

It was really hard to contain my excitment on the day of the show. Here I am staring down my very first artshow with my birthday the next day, showing my work during a First Friday on Broad Street, having the Return of The Mac food truck providing the "yummies", Inlight exhibit happening, great weather (for the most part). I mean, the weekend couldn't have gone any better right? Wrong! My lovely wife, Mom, Stepdad, Chris and Jason all where in secret cohorts to surprise me by flying my Mom and Stepdad in to hang out with me for my birthday!  To add to all of the above, my Canvas To Cotton art show was a thrilling experience! I was shocked and humbled at the amount of people that came out to support my vision. I currently have work on display Threadcount Shirts shop. Head over and take a look. Or order here.

Special Thanks

For all of the work and effort I put out individually, there are a few people I have to thank for helping me pull off this experience. The first person I'd like to thank is my wife for the continued love and understanding of the commitment it takes to be able put together an art show. I'd also like to thank my good friend Keith Ramsey of Ramsey Artworks, for taking time out of his schedule to help me with framing, building, storing and transporting my larger works. Thanks to Nicholas Thomas for shooting the show and providing a great recap of the night. Also, thanks to all of you who came to see my first show. There aren't enough words to express my gratitude. If you came and I didn't get a chance to chat with you, my appologies. Comment below and I'll respond specifically to you. As always, Thanks for the love and support. The best is yet to come!

 

My Canvas To Cotton art show was a thrilling experience! I was shocked and humbled at the amount of people that came out to support my vision.

 
 

The name Junious was my grandfathers name and serves as my middle name. I am pushing the name to the forefront to pay homage to him and to honor his legacy. 

 
 
The KnowDown Episode 1
 
 
 

As I evolve as an artist, there are aspects that I continue challenging myself to be better at. On camera interviews is one of them.

Take a look at my first interview talking about what Junious is and what it represents. I also go into some detail of what inspires my Elicit Tongues series. This interview took place in the basement of Thread Count Shirts right after my Canvas To Cotton show. I was interviewed by my good friend Keith M. Ramsey of Ramsey Art Works for his new artist video series called The Knowdown. The adrenaline and excitement from the show had began to wear off at this point and I was extremely tired when the camera started rolling so please forgive the ramblings. LOL! Your comments are welcomed below!

If you like this video you can also find it as well as other great local artists here.

 
 
Canvas to Cotton Art Experience
 
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I am beyond excited to be partnering up with Threadcount™ to breathe new life into the ‘Art Gallery’ experience. Canvas to Cotton™ introduces an innovative forum for contemporary art enthusiasts, providing a unique way for artists and their patrons to interact with one another that will last well beyond a customary gallery opening. With Threadcount™ providing the COTTON and yours truly providing inspiration from my CANVAS, you will have the rare opportunity to purchase artwork on apparel during the event. By wearing my designs, not only are you supporting me and my artistic vision, you help me share my vision with the world! Canvas to Cotton™ allows me to introduce my work to the Richmond community and helps broaden my reach by translating my work into a wearable masterpiece that will be seen every time the shirt is worn.

Come join us this First Friday and experience music, art, and the first ever Canvas to Cotton™ printable art gallery. Looking forward to meeting you.


 
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 AT 6 Pm

209 E. BROAD STREET, RICHMOND, VA


 
Rhyme & Reason Live
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Live Painting set for A weekly Event series titled Rhyme & Reason at Jackson’s Beer Garden.

 

Event: Rhyme & Reason

Date: Sept. 13, 2017

Location: Jackson’s Beer Garden

Duration: One Night Only

 
 

Event Preparation

It was important to have some goodies to offer at the show. So I created a combined set of 24 hand-painted prints and canvases specifically for the evening. It was a challenge but I was able to make it happen and they came out great. I specifically enjoyed the mini canvases.

 
Events, LiveAndre Johnson
RVA Cures art auction
 
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I was honored and humbled to be able to play a small part of helping in a big way! This piece went up for auction along side several other wonderful RVA artists. It's a zebra fish designed to help raise money for conquering childhood cancer. I painted it metallic rose gold and blessed both sides with some elicit tongues.

 

Project: Connor’s Heroes Custom Zebra Fish
Year: 2017
Show: RVA Cures Exhibit
Auction Date: 09/01
Sold: $250
Location: University of Richmond Downtown Gallery
Duration: Through Jan 2018

It's important for me to be able to use my creativity to help bring awareness and/or aid to a cause meant to help those in need.

Visit https://www.501auctions.com/rvacures/item/685949 to see the closing bid. This piece was on display at the RVA Cures Exhibit at the University of Richmond Downtown Gallery. Big THANKS to the winning bidder. I've very glad to know that my work helped raise money for the kids. 

RVA Cures tells the stories of children, caregivers, and researchers in our community who are facing the number one disease killer of children - cancer.  Through exquisite photography and prose, the exhibition captures moments when they showed incredible strength and courage.  It will help shine a light on the need to fund pediatric cancer research and the exciting research that is happening in Richmond, Virginia.

 
 
Junious + Ramsey Bench 1
 
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Project Details

Collab: Junious & RamseY

Year: 2017

Date Delivered Aug 17

Location: Our House