My name is Johnny Joannou. I am a London-based artist with a love for sport, movies, numbers and good design.
I run a business called ‘On A Sixpence’ and sell my artwork on my website, and various high quality gift shops, including the Tomorrow Store in London.
My first job was to paint the numbers next to seats at the Oval, Surrey’s fabulous cricket ground. We all have to start somewhere.
I design geeky art prints to reflect the history of a topic. My objective is to design neatly-structured prints to depict great sporting events and teams, film genres, music and novels. My work includes prints to represent the history of the Tour de France, Arsenal Football Club, Shakespeare and the greatest Horror films of all–time.
The business started because I could not find a high quality gift for my football mad nephew. I realised there was a gap in the market and a market in the gap.
I spend a great deal of time researching, categorising and arranging key metrics relating to the theme and then using an appropriate colour palette to reflect the history of the topic. I was inspired by the wonderful football wallcharts of the 1970s and the periodic-table.
I love the independence and the ability to follow my own path. I have just finished a design to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. I am now designing prints to celebrate the greatest hip-hop records of all-time and the legends of the Grand National. I learn so much about very different subjects. I am always looking for new ideas - any ideas from your Pioneer readers will be welcomed, get in touch on Twitter: @onasixpence.
I have met some very kind and supportive people. It is also wonderful to receive great feedback from customers and the public. I have even received kind praise from Hollywood Directors (including Duncan Jones, director of the sci-fi classic 'Moon'), writers and footballers.
I wanted to sell high premium prints and therefore finding appropriate suppliers was essential. After weeks of emailing, checking samples and been disappointed, I found a wonderful supplier thanks to the recommendation of a Twitter follower.
Start now. Ask questions. Listen carefully. Enjoy. And in the words of the Bard of Avon, ‘To thine self be true’.
In the last 6 months, I have been commissioned to design a print for the FA Cup Final, a gift for the retiring President of the Princes Trust and for a book on creativity. It is highly encouraging to receive this endorsement and recognition. I have moved on from painting numbers at a cricket ground.
I am launching a new range of Spiral Designs recording great seasons for different sporting clubs. Each print will include details of every game, with a newspaper headline.
Therefore, over the next month, I am spending my mornings in the British Library’s wonderful Newsroom reading newspapers from the 60s and 90s.
I am always looking for new themes for my prints. If you have an idea, let me know via twitter I would also like advise on how to use Facebook to promote and sell my artwork.
Finish the sentence: To be an entrepreneur… you need a good sense of humour and good quality coffee.
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