For Georgia State University art student Javier McIntosh, the arts have brought him tremendous opportunity and limitless joy because it allows him to express his innermost feelings creatively. Before Javier could read, he was drawing; before he could do his timetables, he was already in his first art class. As a child, Javier says, “[He] would spend hours looking at pictures trying to figure out how [he] would draw it in [his] own way.”
In the 4th grade, Javier won a 1st place art award for a county wide Drug Free poster contest. Despite his success at such a young age, Javier did not pick up a paintbrush again until the latter part of his sophomore year of high school, but from then on, painting was, as he describes it, “[his] new love.”
During the summer prior to Javier’s senior year of high school he was invited to participate in the distinguished Georgia Governor’s Honors Program for art after a rigorous application process. His participation in his program inspired Javier to choose his current major, drawing and painting.
Javier says, “One of the best things about being an artist is the joy and amazement it brings in the eyes of people who’ve seen my work. I love having people say, ‘I had no idea you were so talented,’ or ‘You have to draw a picture or let me purchase some of your art.’ The recognition for something that comes so easy to me is very rewarding. I have designed several tattoos for friends and family members by their request, one of which was my mother.”
In the future, Javier intends to profit off his talents as an artist. Javier says, “I have plans of owning my own business, which involves my art; whether that is selling my paintings, doing body paintings, or just making company designs.”
Javier also uses his talents in other fields besides drawing and painting. He has expanded into art fields such as acting, film, editing and production and was involved in “Boxgrove,” the short film that won the Viewer’s Choice Award at Campus Movie Fest.
With an extensive collection of artwork and projects under his belt, Javier McIntosh certainly has much to look forward to in his artistic journey.
