Recent Golda Meir High School graduate Justin Heard doesn’t limit his creativity.
The 17-year-old has done graphic design, modeling, screen printing, flyer design, and clothing lines collaborations with Unfinished Legacy. But he says painting is what gives him time to reflect.
His expressive works often depict childhood memories with family, school and sports. And they’ve resonated. Last year, Heard started gaining traction on TikTok when posting his paintings with the caption, “revealing my art til I find my target audience.” Soon, he went viral posting his AP Art portfolio, garnering nearly 30,000 likes.
Most recently, his homage to Giannis Antetokounmpo caught the attention of the Bucks, who shared it on their Facebook page.
Heard is headed to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago this year, focusing on fashion design, but he has no plan of slowing down on his other ventures.
“I want to expand my painting and start doing big murals,” he says. “That always attracts me when I see them in a city. I hope to have a distinct style where you can see a mural and say, ‘Oh, he did that.’”
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Can you remember when you first realized art was something serious for you?
I used to draw pictures of people around me, and I didn’t realize not everyone could do that. I guess I just had an advanced eye and eventually realized it was something I could take seriously.
What feedback have you gotten from your art teachers?
They always push me to experiment more – try clay, inks, washes. Miss Palmer has taken me to Chicago to visit Columbia College and the Art Institute. I also used to work with Miss Barry, who gave me the opportunity to paint a mural in the school hallway.
There’s a spiritual element in some of your work. Can you talk about that?
I’m Christian, and I try to share my faith through my paintings and clothing. I’m a bit introverted, so it’s my way of expressing that part of myself.
What’s your painting process like?
I use reference photos, but I like to exaggerate the colors. No blacks or whites. I usually start with a red undertone – I feel like, generally, most people have a red undertone. A piece can take a couple weeks or months depending on the size.
What’s it been like sharing your art on social media?
It’s reassuring. It allows me to reach people all over the world. You know, I’ve had people from Europe, places like the Netherlands, talk about my art. So it’s just cool to see that it can reach so far. I’ve sold a few paintings and even did a portrait commission for someone in Alabama.
Do you have any favorite artists?
I like Basquiat and Virgil Abloh. I also really love religious art; biblical themes inspire me.
