From Government Propaganda Artist to Government Protest Artist

Many of you may already know I had a career in military propaganda before I came out against the war publicly and came to embrace anarchism. Part of this career greatly influenced my embracing of non-violence and anti-militant ideals. My posts have gone down quite a bit here on Gonzo Times because I have picked my brush back up and have been focusing on my art again. I believe the message I preach here can be more widely accepted in my art. The first painting I did last year when I picked the brush up is quite different than what I was painting before.

Homecoming

I appreciate the great irony of someone trained at the Defense Information School (DINFOS) in Ft. Meade MD being able to use their tent to protest the very institution I was once a part of. There was a time when I did not want to paint or do any art with the image of a desert or a Marine ever again. I now embrace the fact that I have done so for so long, and look forward to showing off the work I have been laboring on.

Of course I have done some pieces for pure aesthetic reasons, but the focus of my painting has been on a series facing violence that is accepted in society. This is focusing on violence of police and military as well as violence against women and race. I have made a jump from gouache to oils in this transition.

The focus on art as opposed to writing allows me to reach many I am not currently reaching with writing. The blogs and sites out there tend to feel like echo chambers with much infighting. We reach mostly a limited audience who is willing to read the long articles we put out. With art little time is required. An emotional and intellectual place in the mind can be reached much quicker than with long philosophical explanations. It is my belief that anarchism is for the people. Therefore it should be presented in a manner that the common worker can comprehend and take in. Convoluted political writing just does not reach all the people.

I work by day as an illustrator and graphic designer doing very commercial work. It would be nice to make a transition to a career where I am working full time promoting the messages we try to get out here on Gonzo Times. If you like what we do here you can help make this possible by purchasing art from me. Most paintings are for sale, I will note what is for sale as I post the art. If you like it you can help keep this effort going by simply buying. I am also commissioning art. I am especially interested in doing commissions that focus on political and social subjects. If  you are interested in commissioning a piece of art you can contact me at punkjohnnycash at gonzotimes.com. Or through the contact form on the site here.  I am currently doing one commission for one of our writers here on the site, the Stateless Wonder. Helping to spread the art that is posted is also a great help. It always helps to get noticed and you can help that happen by posting my work on Facebook, twitter or any other social media or linking back from blogs. Please feel free to repost the art I am posting. Attribution and link backs with that are especially welcome. You can also visit my personal blog if you click here. It is not updated as often as Gonzo Times, but it is more focused on art.