Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tony J.. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Tony, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
Two places or work ethic…
1) My father Joseph Juliano. He was always a hard worker and was very successful in his business. He also helped me formed my LLC. With his wisdom, experience and fatherly love I would probably be on a different course.
2) My fans. I hate to say it but if no one liked my artwork, I’d be doing something different. I would still be doing art, but maybe not so happy. More like the tragic, starving artist type. I know artists should do what they feel, and I do but it’s a lot better when a crowed of people follow you and buy your art.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Well, I graduated from a very, very small art college called Paper College of Art with a BFA. Pretty much after that I free-lance from different companies like Hasbro/Milton Bradley, Wrigley’s, Corona Beer, Yale… I also worked at a photo lab (during the years of film). I was also an art teacher for quite awhile.
In August of 2000, I started developing a style of paintings called, “Mocking the Masters” or “Parody Paintings” where I paint a famous piece of artwork and spin a humorous title to it in a lush, cartoon style. I’ve been in many galleries and museums all over the world such as… The Walker (Liverpool, UK), CBGB’s 313 Gallery (NYC), Hygienic Art Gallery (CT), Burl Art Gallery (MN) and so many more.
I also produce a combo circus and animation fest called Forgot to Laugh: Sideshow and Animation Festival. I’d have live performers (sword swallowers, jugglers, magicians, etc) and inbetween each act, I’d have 3-4 animated shorts by Bill Plympton, Nina Paley, Happy Tree Friends and many others!
Besides doing silly, artsy stuff, I have a darker side towards some videos I make. I’ve been a big fan of underground movies like film noir, foreign, silent, classic horror and B flicks. Under the name Dr. Wildé I create interesting videos.
I’ve been published in many newspapers/magazines and I’ve won citations and awards for my work.
I’m semi retired in Saint Paul, MN with my wife Monica and our two cats.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Being an artist and a business person are very rare. Here’s my top three…
1) Always draw/paint/etc. Improve your skill and learn other trades and skills that fit your theme.
2) Go to as many shows and events as possible. Make many friends.
3) Make merchandise of your art (prints, pins, stickers, etc). I make magnets out of my artwork for $5 each and they sell like hotcakes!
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
When I was young, I was reading my parents old comic book’s. “Zap”, “Despair”, “Vampierlla” and horror comics. Few years later, I started to read the funnies in the newspaper like “The Far Side” and “Calvin and Hobbes”. During college, I read underground comics like “Eightball” by Daniel Clowes, “Dirty Plotte” by Julie Doucet, “Yummy Fur” by Chester Brown and “Big Baby” by Charles Burns. I also like old novels like “Ask the Dust” by John Fante, “The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge” by Rainer Maria Rilke and “Mysteries” by Knut Hamsun.
A friend of mine gave me, Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland. It’s a great therapeutic book for struggling artists.
Contact Info:
- Website: oktony.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/oktonyj
- Facebook: facebook.com/oktonyj
- Youtube: youtube.com/@oktonyj
