HORNTD presents Aptitude a presentation on the relationship and connections between art and mental health. The use of artistic skills and technique becomes a form of therapy with the approach of laying emotion to paper. As direct as the concept is there is an underlying connection that can be nostalgic to the viewer, the artist, and the art pieces.

He subscribes to the idea that giving life to the ugliness within you, through art, dispels the poison and traps it within the mediums. Justin paints digitally, as well as with acrylic, oil, watercolor, gauche. A day does not go by that he’s not involved in some kind of project. He’s illustrated a myriad of things for publication, including comic books, cover art, spot illustration, and design. What’s important to Justin, is showing people that you can heal yourself through your art – even if you’re not what people might consider “talented.” Creating something from nothing, beating up the canvas with his brush, wrestling with the clay, and depicting other people through acting have all given me the strength to carry on. Art is not about success necessarily, rather it’s about survival.

What is the driving force behind what you do?

Justin: I hope to be a good, decent man in charge of his own destiny, instead of a maniac in clown makeup, with chainsaw hands, twirling through the streets in a blood rage!

What are the emotional ties that link you to your artwork?

Justin: Insecurity. Anger. Hate. Fear. Need. Love. Hope. Redemption. Fun.

What is the message you want the viewer to take away from your artwork?

Justin: Life is scary, hard, and people are evil, but you’ll be fine if you don’t blink.

Presently, I live in Weaverville, NC with my lovely wife and amazing step-daughter. I was born and raised in North Carolina, but have lived in New York, New Jersey, California, and South Carolina. I work as a Multi-Modality CaT/X-ray Radiologic Technologist at a cancer center and love working with patients. Since I have been able to hold a pencil, I’ve been an artist. Illustration, sculpture, writing, and acting have been the glue that has held me together throughout my life and has always been the outlet that keeps me sane. I ponder the dark possibilities my future might have held if not for my art. On the outside, I’m a pretty normal, easy-going guy; but underneath it, all is a river of flowing magma that constantly threatens to erupt. Anger and fear would rule my life if not for my art and I believe that is evident in my subjects. I subscribe to the idea that giving life to the ugliness within you, through art, dispels the poison and traps it within the mediums. I paint digitally; I paint with acrylic, oil, watercolor, gauche; I do collage; I sculpt; I write; and I act. A day does not go by that I’m not involved in some kind of project. I’ve illustrated a myriad of things for publication, including comic books, cover art, spot illustration, and design. I worked as a sculptor in practical special effects for several years and was involved in several movies. I am a published author and I have received many awards for acting. I’m currently getting back into more traditional painting and sculpting, with a focus on the tumultuous political and cultural environment surrounding the last 4 years. I am illustrating a graphic novel for publication and taking commissions I find interesting. I’m hoping to break into the gallery scene with my latest paintings, sculptures, and prints so I might spread the healing qualities of art. Because I have a good day job, artistic success is fairly irrelevant to me. What’s important is showing people that you can heal yourself through your art – even if you’re not what people might consider “talented”. Creating something from nothing, beating up the canvas with my brush, wrestling with the clay, and depicting other people through acting have all given me the strength to carry on. Art is not about success….