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AOTCE:  Did you envision creating art with people and doing things, that you never thought possible?

 

SGJ:  I recently ran into my former painting instructor and mentor, Hubert Massey, who’s well known for his fresco paintings.  He’s the Diego Rivera of our time.  His advice to me in regards to my work was for me to start thinking in terms of “legacy building”, not just pretty paintings.  The interesting thing is, I’ve never thought anything to be impossible.

 

AOTCE:  Would you say that Hubert Massey has had the greatest influence on your art?

 

SGJ:  Hubert Massey, Marian Stephens, Mathew Falkner and my peers, Tylonn Sawyer, Rashaun Rucker, Scheheraze W. Parrish, Lamar Landers and Tiff Massey have all been major influences on my work.

 

AOTCE:  Do you attribute your indomitable spirit to your upbringing?  Your family?

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SGJ:  100%!  My family is the main reason I have this indomitable spirit.  My Mom is my number one support in every way imaginable.  I am 50% nature and 50% nurture.  I’m pretty balanced in that aspect.  My household with the support of their siblings and other family members were just super supportive.

 

AOTCE:  In what way did writers influence you?

 

SGJ:  Words are just as powerful as pictures.  Actually, they’re pictures themselves.  I think that together, they connect the dots of life.  Words, sounds and pictures together are necessary for human nature to thrive. 

 

AOTCE:  Is there a final thought that you would like to leave with the readers of AOTCE?

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SGJ:  Final words I would like to leave are simply “be dope everyday.”  That’s my goal daily.  I don’t achieve it every day but I set out to and that’s the most important thing.  BE DOPE EVERYDAY!