Muralist David Uy’s signature graffiti-inspired paintings have left their swirling, abstract mark all over southwest Ohio. Locally, his vibrant work adorns walls at malls, adds art to community gatherings and fundraisers and enhances many homes and businesses in between. Uy built his artistic career through dedication to the process, being in community with other artists and enthusiastically connecting with businesses and homeowners. Between his day job in real estate and his thriving art business, David Jonathan Creative, he’s no stranger to the hustle it takes to find success as an artist.
“Don’t ever let anyone knock your hustle,” Uy laughs. “Keep going even if you’re feeling down or aren’t feeling creative every day.”
Uy’s interest in art began around third grade, when he spent time doodling and drawing with his friends. He’s grateful for receiving early encouragement and inspiration from his dad (who was excellent at copying Disney characters), art teachers and Aunt Bonnie. It was Aunt Bonnie's projects and support that led to his first mural jobs at multiple CrossFit gyms and a Jewish community center.
“My parents were so open to me doing my thing, knowing that I would turn out alright,” shares Uy. “My Aunt Bonnie had me do art projects for her for free, which all along were setting me up for success with future work.”
When Uy found skateboarding in junior high, he was introduced to street art. He soon became a full-blown graffiti artist alongside painting, sculpture and graphic design classes in high school. He was drawn to graphic design because of its balance of art with commerce. He went on to attend Sinclair Community College, where he studied visual communication. All the while, he continued to do graffiti, which ultimately led to his first job in graphic design.
“The whole reason I got my job in graphic design was that the senior designer at the firm came to our portfolio show where he saw my graffiti work and was obsessed with it,” Uy relates.
He didn’t enjoy working at a desk all day and decided to pivot to real estate, allowing more flexibility to continue working toward his art goals.
“I realized that painting murals scratches that itch for graffiti art, but I could get paid for it,” Uy explains.
He completed small mural jobs here and there while working in real estate, but he envisioned a future where he could paint murals full-time. He founded David Jonathan Creative in 2014 and, in 2021, registered it as an LLC. While murals are his focus, he also enjoys leading community art projects and fine art painting in his spare time, selling pieces through his website and gallery exhibitions.
“Even though I never stopped doing art, I also never thought I would paint 25 murals in one year and not have to sell as much real estate because I was able to paint so much. I want to be humble, but I also want to stay motivated to do even more than I’ve already done,” Uy shares.
His medium shifted from graffiti to mural painting, but the lessons in work ethic, volume and quality remain. He’s also learned that staying connected to other artists often leads to more opportunities. He swaps advice, inspiration and regularly collaborates on projects with local artists Brian Beck and Brent Billingsley.
Uy’s advice to other up-and-coming artists?
“Never stop being creative,” he says. “Don’t let another job stop you from being your creative self. Make sure you do something every day that gives you a creative outlet because that compounds over time, providing a body of work to come back to.”
@DavidJonathanCreative |DavidJonathanCreative.com
“Never stop being creative. Don’t let another job stop you from being your creative self.”