If you are yet to know the intriguing illustrator behind these incredible monsters let me introduce you to Johan Potma. 

Johan is a devotional Dutch painter and illustrator of all things wacky, wonderful, and absurd, he describes his art process as playtime! 

If Johan wasn’t cool enough already he is also based in Berlin, the capital of funky art. His work dreams within the artistic play of acrylics and collages on hidden treasures he finds, like old wooden surfaces, box lids, signs, and cigar boxes. All the unique materials he uses tell part of the story of his characters. The stains, old nails, dents, and cracks; shape the experience of creating the quirky nature of all sorts of monsters, freaks, and oddballs acting out his inner imaginations. 

Johan mentions 

“I just love the textures of the old stuff I paint on, the material with all its imperfections and history tells part of the story I am putting on top. So for example, if I am painting on an old wooden box lid with some hinges still attached to it, I will have to work with those features and make it work. Maybe these hinges are in the way a bit, or I can play with it all to have them be part of the story....this is stuff I learned as a young skateboarder. Play with what you have. An obstacle can be enjoyed if you choose to. In a way I organize for little problems to be in the way of me making this painting. Having to problem-solve my way to the finish. Much like everyday life."

After interviewing Johan a little bit about his process, his hometown, inspiration, and future hopes for his art we thought we would share with you a little more about the sparks that contribute to the magic behind this artist!

From a young age, Johan has had a curious fascination with characters and monsters, he mentions how the comic books, superheroes and animated TV shows that surround his imagination made a big impression on him as a whole. As a young skateboarder, he had a plethora of contact with certain styles of visuals, which he wanted to chase. One of his older skateboard buddies studied illustration and inspired Johan.

I believe art is kind of like skateboarding once you see the half pipe, you determine the desire to fly into the unknown and take the leap to go for it or you hang on the outskirts of abnormality, and Johan chooses to dive in, wheels rolling! 

As an artist and illustrator myself I am extremely fascinated with the artist process especially when we are looking at illustrators and how they come about their unique characters. I talk to many of the characters I create, similar to how the famous illustrator Beatrice Potter, used to talk to her illustrations, she felt like each drawing was her friend. 

Alas, I was curious to see how much of Johan's process would resonate with this notion, especially with such naughty creatures like these monsters. Johan stated “ I can definitely understand talking to your artwork. I will speak for the character as it is being created, and comes to life” mentioning how he will make funny noises for these monsters. hearing him/she/ it speak in his mind as if each one is slowly coming to life the more you draw it.

He notes

“To me it is the beauty of creation. I love not knowing what will happen on the journey of making the painting. But for me, it doesn't end with talking to my paintings, I talk to my dog as well, and I will sometimes talk to objects, I live outside of Berlin in the countryside and when I leave the village on my way to Berlin I will say "Bye” and My kids do the same!”

 After all this talk about talking to your art, it made me wonder,

who came first, the artist or the idea?

I am especially curious where Johan's creatures come from, I feel like monsters are a very different kettle of fish, unlike dragons, mermaids, and ogres, they don’t follow a similar structure or stereotype that you see in all the movies and books. There are so many places you can take MONSTERS, they can be so different, so rare, and unique, so I put the question to JOHAN, asking him where he discovered the idea of these monsters before he drew them. He mentions “ I have no idea where the characters come from, it often feels like they are all already there and come out through me. I open up to them and they come. I will start moving around the pencil onto a piece of paper and somehow create these guys from out of nowhere. When I am in the zone it is as though it all happens effortlessly. That's a great feeling. It is not always like that but I think every person who works creatively knows this feeling”

There were a couple more questions I asked Johan, so I thought I would share his answers verbatim as they highlight so much of the unique architecture of his style and his innate creativity.

What is your intention with your art? 

If there is an intention it might be to self-reflect on the stuff going on in my life. Art is great as self-therapy. It enables me to express on a subconscious level whatever is going on inside me maybe. I am always trying to have it be an extension of me, my perspective on things. So, in the end, I can have a dialogue with my audience as well as with myself. If it touches someone in any way, that is the highest compliment. One of my work studios is in one of my shops/galleries in Berlin. If I am there and I witness someone laughing because of something up on the wall, or a print, that I made, I then know why I do what I do...that is a fantastic feeling...more than the success, the money or whatever. Also, this art for me is about the process more than the end result. I just love to create, feel honored to be able to do so. Looking at a finished painting can be nice but in the end, it is always about the process of getting there.

What's your next big project ?

Right now I am working on my third children's book project. The previous one where written by others and then I did the artwork. this time I wrote the story myself and wanted to try to do the whole thing by myself. the last 3 years I went to some stuff and in many ways, this book came off it. Something I realised later when a friend of mine, after reading it, told me so. I do remember that writing the book was the closest thing I ever experienced to something like a religious experience...the writing was very energetic and intense.

So, you’re a dad of two, have you noticed that having children has changed or inspired the type of art you create?

Changed not so much I think, but they inspire me to always to keep doing what I do. 

So all of your work is on recycled material, what is your main reasoning behind that? 

I just love the textures of the old stuff I paint on, the material with all its imperfections and history tells part of the story I am putting on top. So for example, if I am painting on an old wooden boxlid with some hinges still attached to it, iI will have to work with those features and make it work. Maybe these hinges are in the way a bit, or i can play with it all to have them be part of the story maybe....this is stuff i learned as a young skateboarder. Play with what you have. An obstacle can be enjoyed if you choose so. In a way I organize for little problems to be in the way of me making this painting. Having to problem-solve my way to the finish. Much like everyday life.

How would you best describe your creative process?

Playtime

What is your favourite project you have worked on in the last 6 months or to date and why?(do you have a photo of it?)

My upcoming children's book. Because it is personal, creative and I love being in the middle of it's process. No idea yet what the finished book will look like...I love that.

What makes you create the work you do? What lights your fire and keeps it burning?

In a sense, my work highlights the beauty of the third-place winner, the misfits, the beautiful average etc. Stop chasing shallow wins. In the end, all you need is a little bit of love and some good experiences. And as hippy-esque as that may sound, it is what I believe to be true. As with many things in life, it is all about perspective and I am trying to show you mine, for whatever good it does. Because in the end that is what I hope it does, something good.

Why do you make art, who do you make art for ( yourself, community) to expand?

I make art because I love doing so. I love seeing what comes out of the process. I love learning along the way. As to who I make it for? Sometimes it is for a client, sometimes for a friend and sometimes it is for me, this is always changing and that's how I like it.

Where did it all begin for you, did someone start the journey? 

skateboarding was the start of a way of thinking that is still in me and although I am not actively riding anymore, I still love playing. If I see a skateable object, in my mind, I am on it.

What inspires you the most to create? 

Freedom, to be able to thoughtlessly create and go with whatever comes on your path during the process. Going with what works and struggling along the way, finding solutions to problems arising while creating. In that regard, it is much like life itself.

What's been the most challenging part of being an artist?

maybe excepting the unknown, the future as an artist is very uncertain. In a city like Berlin, there are more artists than there are pencils...that can sometimes be very intimidating. So much talent out there. But I discovered early in my career that I would be fine as a poor artist. I just knew I wanted to do it and was having a great time although money was not part of it, and that can become scary. I just stuck to it and kept doing what I love and somehow it kept getting better and better. I am unbelievably grateful for what it became and is. I never dreamed it would be what it became...to me, that is truly amazing.

If you could say one thing in regards to your art, art in general what would it be?

Thank you art! Love to have you in my life:)

You can support Johan by following his artistry on his website and on Instagram,

Check out  Johan latest work here.For more portfolios from Chulo Creatives Artist stable click through here , also get in touch with Chulo Creative if you are interested in commissioning an artist for your next campaign.

Written and curated by Bella Abraham @Bella.bea.poetry