in Black Theater & The Arts Culture Exclusive Interviews April 12, 2018 April 9, 2018

New York Cartoonist, Jaytoon, Perfects Craft by Fusing Love For Urban Culture and Anime

by: Huey X

Jonathan ‘Jaytoon’ Lightbourne is an illustrator, graphic and traditional artist. He was born in Harlem, New York. He attended The School Of Graphic Arts were he began to perfect his skills, creating a world of his very own where he fuses his love of anime, the beauty of women, Hip-Hop, R & B and fashion with an urban, New York City style. Jaytoon Works full time while also living his life as a play boy enthusiast…NOT A BILLIONAIRE.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing this multi-talented artist where he chatted on his inspirations for art and more. Check out the interview below:

Please tell myself and the readers about yourself?

My name is Jonathan an I’m an illustrator from New York. I was raised in the Bronx.

Growing up and still to this day who or what are your inspirations?

To be honest it’s to make a name for myself to own my own empire like Disney! Working for myself has been my biggest dream! I want to be the artist that kids of color can look up to and be like, “If he did it, I can do it too.”

What influenced you to be an artist?

I would have to say my family. My father, my uncle and my step father were great artist, and the fact that their style was so different, it made me well rounded. Also, because I know they will kill me… my sister and my first love influenced me as well; these woman believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.

When did you know you had a passion for art and drawing?

Ah man, I was drawing since I was a kid, but my passion didn’t really kick until I was 25-years-old.

How do you come up with your drawing ideas?

To be honest, I watched cartoons so much as a child that it allowed my imagination to grow so I often find myself just drawing whatever comes to mind.

Has your work been published before in any major publications?

Yes, Roc Nation and World Star Hip Hop.

Have you ever or will you be doing a comic strip in the future?

Yes yes yes, I thought you’d never ask! (lol) There’s two in the works now.

Can you explain to us your process of choosing and drawing a specific piece?

Well, whatever I draw has to be fun. If it’s not fun I won’t do it. The other it has to be different. I don’t like doing other things that other artist do unless I know mine is gonna pop out.

What message and feeling do you hope your work will have?

I want people to feel inspired. I want people to leave looking at my work feeling that it’s always another point of view when looking at something.

Do you have any big pieces or events on the horizon we should be on the lookout for?

Yes. I’m working on a book called, “Trinity.” It will be a book of sketches of some really cool characters. I’ve been working on.

What are your plans and goals for your great art?

Well, I’m trying to create more original art. Fan art is fun but it’s nothing like having your own.

What words of advice can you offer our fellow millennials?

Stop listening to today’s music, it’s depressing, (lol). No, that’s not it, just be you. Don’t compare your artwork to other artist. One of the biggest set backs in my career was me doing that. Believe in yourself and practice every day. There’s 24 hours in a day, so there’s no excuses.

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