q&a with john groves
DESCRIPTION
John Groves answers a few questions about his background and inspiration.TRANSCRIPT
Q&A
John Groves – A Little Paint Goes A Long Way
By Erin O’Reilly
While most kids at age 9 were playing games with their friends and going to the park, John Groves was painting his name all over walls and anything else he could get his hands on. Originally from Staten Island, NY, Groves moved to Warminster, PA in 2005 and continued to paint and draw graffiti. It was not long until Groves’ artistic talent was noticed by many and without knowing it, would he have already established his trademark. What started out as a young boy’s pastime obsession, transformed into an ever-‐growing business which he calls, “Knew Ink.”
Q: How did "Knew ink" become the name of your business? Is there any significance behind it? Groves: I was given the name, “Knew” by a writer that lived in my neighborhood in New York City. That was when I was 10 or 11-‐years-‐old. Ever since then, the name stuck with me through graffiti and around the time of senior year in high school, I wanted to start doing tattoos and the, “ink” was added. Since then, I have strayed away from tattooing and concentrated on painting. Q: How did your business come into play/how did you get your first "break"? Groves: My business really came into play with the help of my friend, Johan Ruiz. He has his own business and asked me to start doing artwork for him. He really gave me such a guided push and all the exposure I needed and has stuck with me through it all. To this day, we remain best friends and do a lot of work together. Q: I know you're originally from Staten Island, NY. Why move to PA? Groves: I got arrested for graffiti for the first time when I was 12-‐years-‐old. To my parents, my path looked a little dark, so they decided it might be time for a change. Q: What has been the most gratifying experience you have had in this business? Groves: I must say the most gratifying experience I have had, has been called on stage to present Freeway, a rapper I have followed my whole life, with a live canvas I had done for him. Then I got to hang out with him on stage during his set and afterwards, backstage. Q: Who has been your biggest influence and why? Groves: There have definitely been a few influences, but I must say, Johan Ruiz. He has supported me since day-‐one and has shown me that there is a chance to make something out of yourself with a talent that no one can take away; that all you need to have is the drive and the will to push yourself. I have helped him with so many competitions; now he has the chance to help me with my own.
Q&A
Q: How do you meet your customers? What is your tactic for contacting potential business? Groves: Mostly through Facebook or word-‐of-‐mouth. My business runs very successfully and I do not even own a business card. The social network is the base of my business. Without it, I’m not sure what I would be doing. Q: I know you have met several big celebrities. How have you met them? Do you contact them or do they contact you? Groves: Mostly, people ask me to do custom canvases for them at shows they are promoting such as companies like, Aphillyated Apparel. When they host shows or events and have celebrities appearing, they ask me to come and present [them] with a canvas. Other times I will be a visual artist at an event that celebrities are attending. I will do a canvas for them live and people usually end up making it a point for them to see it. Q: Has your success in this business changed you at all? If so, how? If not, why? Groves: I have definitely become a little more serious with the business aspect of my life, but it’s still just a part time gig. I work full-‐time, have all the same friends, and still try to go out on the weekends. Some people see it differently and have said I have changed a lot, but they say the change is a great thing. Q: Do you ever get bored of doing the same thing over and over again in your line of work? Groves: I get bored of the Philadelphia skyline. Although, now it comes very easy to me and that is what people want. I still like to put my style in every piece I do and make it my own. Q: I know many people love and give you positive feedback on your work. Have you ever been negatively criticized about your work? Groves: Ha-‐ha! My mother is my biggest critic and will always be there to make a comment. Not necessarily negative, but it definitely comes off that way, especially when she says I can do better or, “Eh you should change that.” But for the most part, I think people don’t want to hurt my feelings. Q: Who is your dream client? If you could meet and create a piece for anyone, who would that be and why? Groves: Method Man. I grew up in his neighborhood in Staten Island and he has definitely influenced the way I’ve listened to music and grew up. I would love to show him that a product of the same environment is doing something productive with an urban style talent. Q: If you weren't in this business what else would you be doing? Groves: Had it not been for Knew Ink, I would be in construction and paving driveways, which I do full-‐time, aside from Knew Ink. Q: If you could describe yourself in 2 words, what would they be? Groves: Hard. Working.