Meet Jimmy Kanfoush | Artist & Guitarist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jimmy Kanfoush and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jimmy, why did you pursue a creative career?
I am self taught, I was born to draw and create things especially from my imagination. My parents said I started drawing at 3 or 4 years old. I would draw anything and everything that I found interesting. I never saw or knew another artist as a child, so I figured my inclination to try to draw in the first place came from God. I never really though about being an artist at a young age, I just figured I was an artist because I knew how to draw at an early age. That led me to other things, like drawing my family and friends and making fun of them most of the time with my sketches and cartoons. My Dad would but my brother and i Marvel and DC comics when we were very small children. I fell in love with them instantly and started drawing what I saw in the comics, Spiderman and Batman especially. I would do anything to challenge myself as a young artist, thinking and believing and knowing that I could probably draw anything I wanted as good as I wanted. While growing up, I was fascinated with movies and pop culture, so I thought there would be room for someone like me, a creative artistic renaissance person that would love to keep creating and telling visual stories with my unique gift as an artist. I am also into music and play electric and acoustic guitars in hopes to create my own soundtrack of my life story, in an animated original creation. or something like that. I am working on my playing and drawing everyday. When I’m not doing that, I usually have a caricature gig where I am hired to draw for 2-4 hours at a time, on location. I love it and touch a lot of souls while performing and interacting with the guests. I also started a tv show on the local cable access tv network near my hometown. The premise of the show is that I ask a guest into the studio, and i have my easel set up, and then I interview them, while I draw a live caricature of them before revealing it to them after I am done. It is a lot of fun, and a way for me to get artwork and performing out into the tv world. I would love to have my own show where i can do that as well, maybe on Netflix, lol. I love sharing my gifts and skills as an artist in this aspect especially because I get to meet the people that I draw. They marvel at how I am able to do what I do, and i love sharing that with them. Plus they get to keep a very unique, professional piece of spontaneous artwork that i just created for them.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am self taught. I love the process of creating

I love to draw, paint, sketch, sculpt, animate, and to use my spirit and soul to create one of a kind items and music

I continue to draw live and digital caricatures and love traveling and going different places to meet and draw interesting

I want the world to know that no matter how bad things get, it is never over, don’t count yourself short, and believe in yourself. Trust in yourself and always be ready and willing to help others, especially those who are less fortunate. It is not a bad thing to be the underdog, or to be different, just be yourself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First I would take them downtown, Pittsburgh, we could go have breakfast at a diner in a historic part of the city, then take a little sight seeing tour around the town and walking in different market places through the town. Then go to lunch somewhere else in the city. do more sight seeing, like riding the incline up Mt Washington over looking the City, amazing views. we would need to chill out so maybe hit happy hour and then dinner, ending with going to different night clubs or a ride in the country to unwind before we get ice cream somewhere!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes, My family is my support system. without them I would not be the person I am.

My Mom and Dad, Three sisters and one brother,

My wife and my 2 Children,

All of my friends and extended family

Website: jimmykanfoush.com This is my Etsy page

Instagram: @jimmykanfoush

Linkedin: not sure, I think Jim Kanfoush

Twitter: @JimmyKanfoush

Facebook: Jimmy Kanfoush/ Designs By Foush

Youtube: Jimmy Kanfoush

Other: 412-628-3743 my phone number