Meet Jesstyne Johnson | Creator of Whimsy, Wonder, and Light

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jesstyne Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jesstyne, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve always been creative. Growing up, I always had to be coloring, painting, gluing, designing, creating SOMETHING. I’m still like that. I’ve tried other careers- more traditionally “stable” options. Some were great, others not so much. I met great people and found jobs I could be good at- even somewhat creative. But I think a part of my heart died in all of them. I’d still come home and make 50 pairs of earrings, paint until I was so tired I couldn’t hold a brush, or sew a new outfit or bag. I started selling partially because I had too many things piling up. It’s always been a dream to sell my art so I can have more time to make more. That’s still the dream and I’m learning to chase it better. The biggest reason I pursue this career is there’s something different that’s been put inside me to do- something that I’ve been designed to do. I (like everyone else) was created in the image of God and the first thing the Bible tells us about Him is that He created. He’s made it very clear to me that I am to create and to teach others to create as well. It’s been designed into the very fabric of my being. I glorify Him through art. I bring Heaven to Earth through art. And I bring others into a place of encountering Who He is through art.
That’s where the name WarPaint comes from. I was reading a book years ago and the Lord started showing me how fighting the darkness in this world does not necessarily mean engaging with the darkness. It means engaging with the Light- focusing on Him, living for Him, doing what He calls us to do in the midst of the chaos and darkness in this world. And He’s reiterated it time and time again. When the world goes mad, He says, “Create.” When hell breaks out, He says, “What did I tell you to do?” I’ve learned that in order to fight the darkness, we don’t yell at the darkness. We create a world with more light- more reflection of God’s holiness and perfection and love. We fight the darkness by creating light.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Something the Lord has said to me for a while now is, “You’re never just doodling.” Some of my favorite pieces and styles have come out of the moments where I let go of having to make anything in particular and I just create. I love whimsy, wonder, light, color, humor, and childlike simplicity. I love inspiring people to connect with their inner child- a piece of people that is too often lost to the demands of adult life. And I love inspiring kids to see the wonder in the world around them and to find their own creative voice.
I didn’t go to art school, which can feel challenging as far as credibility in the eyes of others. But I’ve heard many artists coming out of art school say something along the lines of, “I have to unlearn everything I’ve learned in order to find my own voice.” Sure, there are likely some things that I am having to learn the hard way now because I didn’t learn them in school, but I prefer that to unlearning styles that were never mine in the first place. I’ve loved finding my voice, learning what I like and what my hand does differently from everyone else’s. Something I value highly is that there is creativity in everyone. Think about it this way- Van Gogh is considered one of the greatest painters of all time. During his lifetime, he was nowhere near a “successful” artist. But someone finally understood his style and valued it. What if the next Van Gogh is out there right now trying really hard to be a Rembrandt? Or what if the next great sculptor is trying to be a painter? Simply put, try everything until something sticks.
This is why I love inspiring others start to create. There’s something creative inside each of us, it just takes courage to let it out, especially if it looks different from all the other “great art” around us.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d probably start by planning a day trip to San Diego. My husband and I went there on our honeymoon and we now have a few favorite restaurants- Hodads is a great burger spot, Hob Nob Hill or Great Maple have the best breakfast, Coasterra or Park Bistro Brassiere were fantastic dinner options. The zoo was probably one of my favorite days we were there… you know, I’d probably just suggest we head to San Diego for the whole trip. But if we didn’t spend the whole trip there, we live in Anaheim so I would probably suggest Knotts Berry Farm and maybe dinner at Lazy Dog Cafe or breakfast at Toast Kitchen in Brea.
We also spend a lot of time in South County, so I’d suggest Haciendas by the Lake, Calo Kitchen, or Avilas (we like Mexican food A LOT).
I’d also go a little further south and stroll the shops in San Clemente before going to the beach for a bit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who deserve credit for where I’m at in my journey. My incredible husband who supports me and champions me and helps me anywhere he can. My family and friends who help promote me on social media, who buy my work, who encourage me. So many other artists who put tutorials on YouTube, who share their art and inspire me to make more and create differently and find another unique part of my own artistic voice. Bosses who have seen and poured into my potential, giving me chances to teach, to grow, and to realize the career path I was on was actually not what I wanted in some cases. Teachers and mentors who answer questions I didn’t even know to ask. People I’ve met in networking groups who give me valuable input and feedback and ideas- people I may form relationships with or may never see again.

No one makes it on their own. And I’m so so grateful for every person who takes even 5 minutes to pour into me and this journey in any way. It takes a village, and I’ve got a really great one.

Website: Www.warpaintlight.com

Instagram: WarPaint.light