About

ARTIST STATEMENT:

Sometimes we just have to embrace the “child” inside of us to truly be happy. This is what I’ve done as an artist and I couldn’t be happier. Thankfully, that has brought joy to those who view my art. I want you to smile or at the very least get a slight chuckle or even a smirk when you see one of my pieces. I loved art in all its forms even as a child and took in as much as possible. This included comic books, cartoons, children’s books like Dr. Seuss, music album imagery as well as fine art in museums that featured the works from Salvador Dali to Norman Rockwell. All of these influence my art today but the trigger to this new period in my artistic journey was the birth of my son in 2005. Unfortunately, before his birth, I was languishing as an artist without a definitive vision and style which you can see in my work today. The beautiful and funny child that my son is helped me reconnect with my own childhood which brought forth so much of the whimsical, fantastical and colorful imagery I create now. At first, I thought it would be just a short period in my artistic life but then I realized that I liked it too much to ever let it go. And the work receiving such positive response just encouraged me and inspired me even more to keep creating these visions of friendly monsters and odd but happy looking people who often have unusual hair, brightly colored skin or a strange wardrobe. I’ve taken a few detours along the way, some have worked and some haven’t, but ultimately I keep finding myself right back in the world in which a 9 foot tall purple monster wearing a t-shirt will do its best to make you smile. Thanks to the encouragement and inspiration from family, friends and my audience I truly feel like I have found myself as an artist. I hope you enjoy my work.

CJ Calvin was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1971. His father was in the US Air Force which resulted in moving multiple times all over the United States including extended periods of time spent in California and Wyoming. Currently he lives in North Carolina and when not creating art he spends as much time as he can with his beautiful wife, Wendy, his wonderful son, Lucas and his sweet dog, Luna.

For purchase information, please contact us at cj@cjcalvin.com or 910-817-7607