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

Hi JP, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
When your young it seems like an easy shortcut. You know your are right for one thing and very wrong for the mundane protestant work ethic. Later in life one realizes that… a true artist is not concerned with money being the end product of their labours, as much as bringing an idea or trope to reality, by any means/medium. Once inspiration strikes we begin chasing that dragon, wrapped in an overriding imaginative, fresh and compelling drive to fruition. So…. two reasons … Naive youthful fear of conformity and later, the compulsion of an inexplicable creative epiphany that must be followed.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
There is no shortcut. Put your head down and grind. Find your passion, that’s your liferaft. Learn from rejection, Strive for originality, though there is next to none, but press on, That future your future that seems so distant and amphorous now is coming at you like a galactic freight train. Prioritize, You with have to abandon friends, excesses and yes even love along the way.. It will find you. You are unique. Celebrate that.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Great story of how two teachers took the time to steer a floundering 15 year old guppy straight half a century ago. One leaned over and whispered….I see your potential.., do your own thing, you are not cut out for academia. The other, a science teaches said. ‘You drew the best fish on the blackboard ever’… Get thee to an art school. I did.
So you never know where opportunity will knock, Listen closely to everything and then recognize your angels and decide..

Website: heartlandreggae.ca

Image Credits
all pics copyright canada offshore cinema ltd.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.