Today we’d like to introduce you to Colgan Johnson.
Colgan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have to say thanks to my family and friends first because they’ve been nothing but supportive and awesome in this entire process. I could not have gotten to this point without their love and encouragement and that even extends to new people I keep meeting, so thank you very much! I’ve always loved art and cool images and just interesting things. Thankfully, I grew up in a house where curiosity and experimentation were fostered. My mother was a social worker and my father was a media arts teacher when I was younger, so my parents instilled in us early an appreciation for life and how beautiful it can be. I realize now how many different people and things I got to see, and how my sense of adventure and experimentation was encouraged. Since a young age I have been very fortunate to be around wonderful people with awesome experience, who are willing to share their knowledge or at least encourage me to go acquire what I need. Ever since I was small I’ve been around some pretty interesting people, but then again most people are interesting to me. People intrigue me plain and simple.
Probably like most people, I did photography in high school and stopped when I lost access to the darkroom. At that point I was lost in sports and books, anyway. I’m a little bit of a nerd. Books and cameras are cool. I didn’t really take photos in college. I was a Classics major with a love of translating and rugby and not a clue what to do with it. I did realize I loved theater, but I wasn’t confident enough to follow through on that yet. College was just great for being around nature, books, so many different personalities and the special magic inherent in western MA. I graduated college and got a job as an executive assistant, because a former boss was nice enough to look out for me. And so, the search for job and career fulfillment began.
So during my twenties, I was an executive assistant (the whole organization’s secretary) and found out I really didn’t like that. It was a cool experience though. I was a middle school science teacher. I was a prep chef, who was probably not the best. There were too many timers and tight spaces for me in the kitchen back then. I found out chefs have their own shoes though. I was a bar back and a bartender. To this day, my props go to the bar backs in any bar. I taught elementary school. I hosted my own local television show and helped on a couple of projects for a while. I have worked numerous promotional jobs. I once worked in a costume shop until I found out they paid in store credit. I taught middle school again. I recorded and performed music with friends as the group JP Lime. The name stood for Just Put Life in My Eyes with the understanding, if you’re burning with that much passion we should be alright. It was definitely alright and super dope at the same time, just didn’t pan out the way we imagined as of yet. You never know. I was a bouncer. I was a DJ. I tried to sell mops in BJ’s. I believe the mop company is no longer. You can say I have been searching for something that sustains me, fulfills me and allows me to have some sort of freedom and creativity for a while. That’s pretty simple, right? Hahaha. No. We’re here though, I promise.
My friends and I turned JP Lime into an LLC that is now an online blog at www.jplimeproductions.com. The music was doing what we hoped initially, but we were young and could have used some more help on many things. I give us credit for doing so much. I love them for that, because it showed me how to commit to an artistic project and complete a vision. Music was definitely a love for a while. Music is also expensive and we were definitely on the precipice of the storefronts to download and streaming transition and it was looking bleak. This was around 2012 when we dropped our last album, Blue Star Boulevard. I was doing the awful mop job that was losing money at that point and had to go back and teach. So I went and taught again for three years. I was also trying to get over a relationship and figure that out and life was just insane. Teaching is amazing, but I’ve never found a proper fit that has allowed me to flourish. My last assignment was a high school physical education assignment that ended up getting their budget cut. I thought about the stress levels, lack of support, and circumstances weighing on me throughout the year and decided I had to make a decision. It was photography, art and acting.
I had decided to purchase a camera for myself in 2015 after I decided I needed to break up the monotony of just coming home after teaching. I was on music hiatus with the group and in a real creative rut. I had to make something. I had to find and love something and pour myself into it again, but independently for a little while. I also needed a creative cycle that didn’t take as long as recording necessarily from start to finish, but still allowed me to capture the emotions of life. I’ve realized through music and definitely now with photography and acting, I require a certain personal connection with my work. It has to mean something. It started with the idea, of just making cool stuff. But after loving, living, and working for a little time, I would rather my work and time truly mean something to me and other people. So I just jumped into the art world and went back to painting, drawing, writing and photography. Photography just made me appreciate life and the beauty around me even more. Then photography made me want to act, because I was happy again. It’s good to be happy.
I need to take another moment and thank some more people in my life. When I stopped teaching and started looking into the art world but more specifically theater, I was immediately helped and encouraged by one of the best people I have ever met, Ms. Candelaria Silva. She is a remarkable, brilliant woman in the Boston area, whose breadth of knowledge in the arts and culture world is utterly amazing. I took a strong interest in the Boston theater scene and she was just amazing in her support and encouragement in helping me to get where I am. Another person I have to thank is Anne Mondesir. I just would not have been able to accomplish as much as I have been able to without her help and support as well. And through some strange and amazing act of the universe, I will be acting in Company One’s production of LEFTOVERS, which will be at the Strand Theater in Dorchester, MA this summer, July 21st – August 18th. Thank you to everyone at Company One for the beautiful progressive work you do as well as the space you’ve made for artists to be themselves and excel. I still can’t explain how this is happening other than, I’ve just been trying a lot of things my whole life. I love creativity. There is something in me that has this compulsion to create or express things. There’s no other way to put it. I feel like I have to make something and communicate, like I was born to do it and it’s my job. I love to listen and inspire and capture the essence of people or life at cool moments. Life is starting to feel right. Along with that, I really hope to affect some change in the world, since there are things we can better and art has the definite power to do so. I just want to do my part to help and utilize my talents to the best of my abilities.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road at all, but an interesting and amazing one for sure. The biggest struggle is getting the traction I believe. We all have desires to be the best and provide a wonderful service to our clients, hopefully. Once you’ve decided this is what you want to do, the rest is putting yourself out there, showing the work and attracting the best clients or projects for you so everyone feels amazing and the art becomes a win win for everybody. The past three years of my life have been dedicated to making a career out of photography, art, acting, and modeling and now it is happening. I really am living my dream in spite of the challenges. Channeling the artistic tendencies and bridging those together with sound business practices and a plan is the constant challenge. Allowing myself to grow through mistakes, ask and accept for more help, and learning how to make money work for me, has made these years quite interesting. I probably should have saved some more money, but in a very real sense, the sense of self-worth I have learned through this phase has been incredible. I definitely jumped into this photography thing with a lot of passion and naivete, but I wouldn’t change it. Becoming a creative professional definitely has its ups and downs. I spend a lot of time learning how not to make mistakes, and the other time is believing in myself and my work so much, that I probably look crazy to other people. Life and work balance has been a bit of a thing, but I think that’s a life lesson as we constantly juggle and grow. Becoming a working artist in Boston, has definitely had its challenges. On so many levels it’s about space and appreciation and access, and on many levels there are obstacles to all of these for artists as a whole in Boston. I love Boston. I was born and raised in Dorchester. Boston has its issues for sure like every other major city; I hope this is starting to change. It’s definitely not ALL as progressive as it looks. It is a unique place and I’m hoping it changes some of these practices.
The whole idea of being your own boss is scary sometimes and there is so much communication that has to be done. But then I think about how sad I was teaching with no support, or not having the time and energy to do and create what I wanted. It’s a constant process of learning, doing and listening to a myriad of people and things, but I’ll take these challenges any day because I know the end will be spectacular. I like challenges; they make you better.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with 1981andco photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
1981 and Co. is about inspiring people through photography and art to create images that will stay with you and make you feel something for a while. I capture life and light and just try to give it back by putting a little magic in the everyday sights and sounds that people usually overlook. As an artist and photographer, I see myself more as a reminder and mirror to my clients and surroundings, to illustrate how truly special this existence is; we just have to take the time to realize it, appreciate it, and enjoy it. I take my love for beauty, idiosyncratic things and composition and run with it. I specialize in black and white shots, artistic compositions, as well as portraiture. Additionally, as a fellow actor, I’ve enjoyed getting into head shots lately and helping individuals rediscover and revisit the best parts of themselves, hopefully helping to change their lives. It brings me tremendous pleasure to be able to lift the spirits of others through positive communication and beautiful persistent efforts.
My being is what sets me apart from others and I am here to change things and bring awareness. I want you to be your amazing, confident self so that you can continue to shine and spread your message and purpose.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Future plans, hopefully, are to become a great artist and photographer. I have images in my head that I have to see and get out into the world. It’s an overriding feeling that is sticking with me like a sidekick. I want to be surrounded by wonderful artists, collaborate with them and have fun creating for the world. I have a vision from the website that involves selling series of prints that are art and photography based, but also have some social connection. I have always envisioned 1981andco as a collaborative effort. As a photographer, I always want there to be a social connection because art is just as much personality as it is a photo or a work of art. The http://www.1981andco.com/ website will feature artists through their work and interviews, in addition to information for other artists if they want to use it. I also want to have an online gallery that helps promote other artists. The whole goal is to make http://www.1981andco.com/ a source of inspiration, learning, and revenue for myself and fellow artists alike.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.1981andco.com/
- Email: 1981andcophotography@gmail.com
Image Credit:
The image with the woman seated wearing the cap behind the yellow flower – the model’s name is Amanda Knight.
Ben Braun – Personal Photo
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