Jonas Never works in public.
Hes learned to work quickly and maximize his time to create local landmarks around L.A. and beyond.
I started off with graffiti, so became used to painting big and fast.
Soon after, I started painting Rockabilly murals.
They were big and I was able to do them in a respectable amount of time.
And since I played baseball through college, I already had a real appreciation for sports.
Eventually, I began to blend sports and pop culture into my pieces.
Take us through a recent workday.
I typically wake up early to get to a wall before morning rush hour starts.
Ill paint all morning.
When Im running on fumes, Ill look for something local to eat.
What apps, gadgets, or tools cant you live without?
I loveMontana Black cansfor glows and backgrounds.
I preferMontana 94 skinny tipsfor detail work on portraits.
I usea fatter tipfor skin tones, clothing and backgrounds.
My AirPods help me drown out the ambient or traffic noise.
Whats your workspace setup like?
I have an office at home.
Among other things it houses my laptop, books and reference materials.
I also have a garage full of paint and tools of the trade.
My onsite setup really varies from one project to the next.
What challenges are there to doing your work outside and on location?
Each project is a battle against time.
Deadlines are often tight.
And in addition to painting, I also have to prepare imagery, sort supplies and set up equipment.
Maximizing time is critical, especially when the days are shorter.
Whats your best life hack?
Its helpful to prepare as much as possible ahead of time.
With only so many hours at the wall, you look for any place to streamline.
This helps you avoid wasting time or supplies.
And of course, you always want to double-check the image youre painting is dynamic, high-resolution and unobstructed.
Take us through an interesting, unusual, or finicky process you have in place at work.
All of my murals are based on realism.
This helps ensure consistency while Im painting.
But when I lose reference, its easy to go back over these grids.
Amy at Floyds 99 Barbershop has been a help, identifying projects and walls for me to work on.
My wife Stephanie typically helps me take and edit photos of my work.
Its fun to engage with them and humbling to see them go visit and treat my pieces like landmarks.
How do you keep track of what you have to do?
Sometimes, I juggle four or five projects at a time.
I am constantly taking notes on my iPhone, which helps me stay on top of things.
Its always full of projects, deadlines and to-do lists.
How do you recharge or take a break?
As soon as I finish one project, I typically start prep on the next.
And with work in the public eye, I want to maximize my timewhile not rushing things.
It can be tough to recharge when youre your own boss, especially as an artist.
Last summer, Stephanie and I visited Italy for a few weeks.
Whats your favorite side project or hobby?
I collect memorabilia from old movies and sporting events.
I spend a lot of time working on my old cars.
We go to a lot of concerts.
Sometimes, the lyricsespecially those who bring a little nostalgiabring inspiration for paintings.
But I enjoy painting.
And it rarely seems like a job to me.
What are you currently reading, or what do you recommend?
At the moment, my favorite book isL.A.
Bizarro(the newest edition).
It catalogues the stuff you may be missing in Los Angeles.
I also likeDark City: The Real Los Angeles Noir.
I also just read Anthony BourdainsKitchen Confidentialfor the umpteenth time.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
ArtistMister Cartoon, who does a good job bridging multiple worlds.
Id like to see how he balances his schedule.
Id like to see how Pharrell Williams does everything he does, from music to shoes to staying cool.
Whats the best advice youve ever received?
Love what you do for work, so it doesnt feel like a job.
Every now and again, I do projects for free.
I look forward to my art, day in and day out.
It helps me justify my purchases, especially those that help me bring better quality to my projects.
Whats a problem youre still trying to solve?
Im working on being better able to turn off and be satisfied at the end of the day.
I want to be able to sit still and find peace.
And, while I hope I inspire others, I recognize Im not necessarily saving lives here.
