Ju Working On Projects - July 2024
With the month of July rolling in, we would like to turn the spotlight over Julian Gaines otherwise known as Juworkingonprojects ( @juworkingonprojects ).
Ju is a narrative/figurative oil painter from the Chicago area who currently lives and operates in Oregon. Being creative in his blood as his father is also an artist. He has been drawing since he was able to hold a pencil and would sell shirts that he painted in middle school. Football and art are the two main things he’s focused on at that time in his life and it continued through college as he first majored in graphic design.This is important because he treats his art as if its game. You’re only as good as your next piece, and you need to continue to train everyday and work on your craft. This mindset allowed him to continue and create more work freely. and not to put so much weight on his accomplishments.
While doing an internship one summer, he met an established artist named Kadir Nelson ( @kadirnelson ) who gave him some advice. Ju was concerned about generating consistent revenue with art, and Kadir told him “If you’re good at anything you’ll make money”. This inspired him to change his major to drawing and painting. Upon getting his degree he moved back home and started working as a brand ambassador at Nike in the Jordan store. Taking what he learned from there and applying it with his mindset, he booked a one way ticket to Oregon to connect with Nike headquarters and lend his ideas. The result was him getting a Nike shoe collaboration on the Sky Force 3/4 and Air Vortex.
Ju is also a signed artist to @jetlife and has collaborated with them on different levels as well. He lists Curren$y, David Hammons, and Deborah Roberts to name a few as inspirations to his creative process.
A few galleries that he has worked with are Christin Tierney, and Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects in New York. He’s also represented by Russo Lee Gallery ( @russoleegallery ) in Portland Oregon. Ju has an upcoming solo art show “Seen, Not Heard” August 1st at Russo Lee Gallery so make sure to be on the lookout for more from him.
