From Ink to Canvas: How Recovery Catalyzed Jon McKenzie's Artistic Evolution

This week, Austin-based artist Jon McKenzie is on the pod!

We explore how creativity becomes emotional nutrition, the importance of expressing your voice in a noisy world, his thoughts on AI, and how recovery ignited a new level of purpose and dedication to his craft.

Timestamps:
00:00 — Introduction: From tattoos to artistry & recovery
02:00 — How Jon’s apprenticeship shaped his creative ethos
04:00 — Getting sober in Austin & the turning point that changed everything
07:45 — The first commission piece and finding purpose after detox
10:30 — Balancing paid work with creative passion
12:15 —  Art as “emotional nutrition” and creating amidst chaos
15:00 — The trap of productivity vs. the call to create from the heart
17:00 — The purpose of art: conversation, curiosity, and connection
20:00 — When clients see you in your work (even when you don’t)
22:45 — Anxiety, childhood, and art as an outlet for emotion
26:00 — Shifting from realism toward emotional expression
28:30 — Revisiting the inner child through art
31:00 — Old-school inspiration, vintage ads, & retro aesthetics
33:00 — AI & art: tool or threat?
38:00 — The optimism we need in a pessimistic world
41:00 — Safety, tattoos, and the art of being unapologetically yourself
44:00 — Values, courage, and creating what you believe in
48:00 — Behind-the-scenes of Jon’s next chapter & how to follow his work

Connect with Jon:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonmckenzie/
https://www.instagram.com/varsitywalls/

Connect with Kristin:
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