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

Hi Jay, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always been artistic. Most of my jobs throughout my career have been art-related. I’ve worked as a paste-up artist, editorial cartoonist, TV Art Director, Newspaper advertising artist and Middle school art teacher. I’ve always wanted to further my knowledge of art. Although I never went through the normal channels (I don’t have an Art degree, I’m self-taught) I have learned from various sources everything I wanted to know. I have always had a burning desire to express myself artistically.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Becoming a professional colored pencil artist has not been an easy road. I’ve had many varying careers before finally coming to a place in my life that I am excited about…after my retirement from the business world. I learned that I marched to a different drummer. I learned that as long as I was working for someone else I wasn’t being fulfilled. My artwork is rather different in that everything I do is with graphite and/or colored pencils. I am a realist. My art reflects the things in my life that I enjoy, celebrities, animals, history, nostalgia. I still love to teach. I teach private lessons, I have a colored pencil drawing podcast every week. I will be teaching drawing lessons on SkillShare. My advice would be to do what you love and love what you do..Once you find what you love, it gives you a sense of self.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For the best time in my area, go to Schnebly’s Redland’s winery and Miami Brewery in Homestead, the Brooklyn Cafe and Gallery in Boca Raton, Gulfstream beach in Delray Beach, Crazy Uncle Mike’s restaurant and bar in Delray Beach, the Hard Rock Casino and Guitar Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, snorkeling in the Atlantic Ocean, and an airboat ride in the Everglades.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Freddy Santory and Dawn Halle Graubert from the Brooklyn Cafe and Gallery, my wife Barbara, my daughter Jennifer and my son Tom

Website: Coloredpencilartist.com

Instagram: jayharmonart

Linkedin: Jay Harmon

Twitter: Jay Harmon@pencilsartist

Facebook: Facebook.com/Jay.Harmon.313

Youtube: Jay Harmon

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