Meet J.D. Moore: Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with J.D. Moore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi J.D., what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think risks are immediately associated with one or multiple fears. I have for a long time now thought about fear as an emotion that should not be ignored or mitigated, rather felt and then redirected. Risk taking in my life has helped me evolve and mature as a person and as an artist. I am often times met with the challenge of venturing into uncharted territory that requires me to face some insecurities. When I was younger, those uncharted territories were driving on the highway for the first time or talking to a girl I liked. Presently, these new terrains are exhibiting my artwork in large, public venues in the form of murals. The risks I have already taken and overcome has been simply executing and completing my first pieces, not knowing what challenges would arise for it to come out as intended. The risks I am considering now are things such as, equipment investment, time investment, and if I can use what I’ve learned so far to continue building a successful mural business. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In recent years I have been classifying myself as simply a visual artist because professionally, I practice several different crafts that at some point all blend together. I started my professional art career in 2011 with an apprenticeship at Last Angels Tattoo Co. I finished the apprenticeship in 2013 and within the next year or two I began oil painting. My tattoo and painting work often requires photographic references and so I began learning photography soon after. My tattoo career has been the most long-lasting and consistent in growth and financial support. My painting work has recently grown not only support but in scale. I am likely to paint life-sized oil portraits on canvas and I am now working on mural work which is often times quite large. I get excited when I get to blend two or more of these disciplines together and I am now intentionally searching how to more regularly mesh all of what I do in the art I make/exhibit. Starting my apprenticeship at 19 years old worked in my favor but the journey from start to finish required a great amount of passion for the craft and even more will power. I love creating so much that for me, even on the most stressful days, seeing a project through makes the work worth it. Finding a “style” started the moment I surrounded myself with different tattoo artists. At this point I can see it more clearly than I could nine years ago, but I believe I am still finding my definitive voice, so I’d like the world to keep watching me grow.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents, James & Thelma My tattoo mentor, Gerald Garcia Elevate Studios John Spriggins Crystal Perry Freddie Trevino Michaela Starling Amanda Jackson Paul Hill Steven Haddad The Deep Ellum Foundation The Thanks-Giving Square Foundation Tarrant Regional Water District The Better Block Foundation My fine art patrons My loyal tattoo clientele

Website: jdmooreportfolios.com
Instagram: @jdmooreportfolios
Facebook: JDMoorePortfolios
Youtube: JD Moore Portfolios