Meet Johee Young

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Johee Young a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Johee, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Growing up, I wasn’t the typical straight-A student. I struggled with subjects like math and science, but I thrived in the arts. I immersed myself in art classes, joined the school band, and explored various creative outlets. Looking back, I realize that my purpose has always been to express myself creatively, especially when words fell short.

I was a shy and introverted child, attending a small, catholic international school where self-expression was limited. Art became my sanctuary, the one place where I could truly be myself. I was fortunate to have inspiring teachers along the way. Debra Manley, my first grade art teacher, ignited my passion for painting. Her encouragement stayed with me long after she left the school. My 3D design and ceramics teacher, Steve Tootell, who also led the school band, continuously pushed me to think outside the box. His classes were a safe space where I could experiment, make mistakes, and grow creatively.

These experiences solidified my decision to major in Art in college. Since then, I’ve worked in contemporary art galleries, curated shows, and participated in solo and group exhibitions. Now, as an elementary art teacher, I continue to create my own art and inspire young minds.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am born and raised in Tokyo, Japan and attended an international school my whole life. In 2013, I moved to Southern California where I received my bachelors degree in fine art and in 2018, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a masters degree in art. I’ve worked in contemporary art galleries and curated numerous exhibitions, but now I’ve transitioned to teaching elementary visual art. This has been an incredible experience – my approach is to teach art with purpose and creativity, rather than following cookie-cutter methods. For example, in a self-portrait project, I had a student who chose to paint a sunflower, expressing her individuality and love for the flower. This kind of creative thinking inspires me and dismantles the notion of what self-portraits should or shouldn’t look like. Currently, I’ve been working on a series of abstract landscapes that tell a unique story about my identity.

Growing up in Japan and now living in the U.S. for over a decade, my identity as always been complex. People often assume I’m born and raised here because I speak English without an accent, which led to feelings of not fitting in and erasing parts of my Japanese roots to blend in, especially in a predominantly white demographic like Southern California. My art allows me to reclaim and embrace that erased identity. I start my paintings with sumi ink, a deeply pigmented medium that symbolizes my Japanese roots. (I never use black paint) No matter how many layers of color I add, the sumi ink always subtly shines through, representing the enduring presence of my past. Recently, I’ve also created works where I use only sumi ink, showcasing its pure, dark pigment, without any additional layers. This variety in my painting series reflects the different aspects of my journey and identity. My hope is that my paintings, with their abstract and open-ended nature resonate with others whether it be through the mark makings or color.

On a technical level, I’ve been diving deeper into color theory with my work, aiming to create a deeper relationship between myself as the artist and the colors I choose. I’m more intentional with my color combinations, exploring different tones and shades to elicit specific emotions and feelings.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Perseverance, curiosity, and the ability to embrace failure.

I feel like these qualities have shaped my work and career in profound ways. The art world can be incredibly challenging and perseverance enables me to continue pushing forward despite setbacks. Itʻs the determination to keep creating, growing, and sharing my work, even when the path isnʻt clear. You just do it for the love of creating. For those starting out, my advice is to stay committed. If you arenʻt 100% in on it, then donʻt do it. Keep producing art, and donʻt let rejection or criticism deter you, let it help you grow.

Andy Warholʻs quote is my favorite to this day ““Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.”

A constant desire to learn has been vital in my artistic journey. Whether itʻs exploring new techniques, studying the works of other artists, or delving into different art movements. I believe cultivating a love for learning is so important – we are constantly evolving as human beings, and as long as weʻre changing, growing, and expanding, so will our art. So, take those classes, read extensively, experiment with new mediums, new styles, and be intentional with how you approach your work.

This leads me into the next point of understanding failure as an essential part of growth. I feel like this mentality can be applied no just in art, but in anything that we do. Many of my most valuable lessons came from projects that did not turn out as planned. Taking risks, and preparing for mistakes in hopes that you discover something new is the mentality we as artists want to be in, or at least I do.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I believe we should dive headfirst into our strengths. When we’re confident in our art and have clear intentions, that’s where the magic happens. For instance, I focused on my passion for painting, specifically abstract visual landscapes using oil, acrylic, and sumi ink. Thatʻs where my strength lies, so by pouring everything into this medium, I found my unique voice and created pieces that truly resonate.

But here’s where it gets exciting—collaboration. When we admit what isn’t our forte and partner with others who excel in those areas, we can create something truly special. I teamed up with a dear friend of mine, Christopher Soltz. He is an an incredible artist and film photographer who is just brilliant. Together, my abstract landscapes and his film photography coexisted beautifully in a group show. It was a perfect blend of our strengths, creating a richer experience than we could have done alone.

So, yes, go all in on what you’re good at. Embrace your strengths and don’t be afraid to collaborate on the rest. That’s where the real artistic alchemy happens.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joheeyoung.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johee.young/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069169073251
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joheeyoung

Image Credits

Christopher Stoltz