PONNY BOYY

HEY JOVAN, TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT WHERE YOU GREW UP AND YOUR BACKGROUND.
I was born to a Guyanese/ Portuguese mother, and Dominican father. I was raised in South Ozone Park, Queens, but New York as a whole is definitely home!

YOU ARE WELL KNOWN BY THE MONIKER PONYYBOYY, HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THIS NAME? (WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT?)
It’s a very simple story with a somewhat complex meaning. When I first created my instagram account. I wanted to use my actual name, but it was already taken. So, I figured I would use the name of a character from one of my favorite elementary school novels. Although I never thought it would stick like it has, I instantly related to the character’s story... it felt like a perfect match.

YOU HAVE A VERY STRIKING LOOK. WHEN DID YOU START DEVELOPING YOUR PERSONAL SENCE OF STYLE?
Thank you so much for the compliment! I feel like I've always had a sense of style, or atleast a style that made me feel comfortable with myself, but it wasn’t until I was 22-23 that I feel I REALLY figured out what MY style was. I love wearing black though, it owns my heart, always makes me feel super chic.

THINKING BACK, WHAT ARE YOUR FIRST MEMORIES OF SKETCHING AND CREATING ART?
I used to love drawing tiny little illustrations all over my notebooks. I would create these “characters”, give them “life” stories, and even came up with scenarios of these characters going to events I’d make up. Sometimes I still do that with some of my current illustrations lol. I guess I’ve always had a weird obsession with detail.

WHEN YOUR FEELING INSPIRED, DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PLACE TO SKETCH?
Not really. I will say that I love sketching alone. I feel like I can really focus and stay in my zone. My own space is definitely needed... lol.

AS AN ILLUSTRATOR WORKING IN THE BEAUTY AND FASHION INDUSTRY, WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE EXPERIENCES AND RESPONSES FROM YOUR SUBJECTS?
Being able to show people that fashion, and art go hand in hand is a blessing for me. I was able to create a lookbook for a company that specializes in evening wear, and I also had the opportunity of creating a “how-to guide” for Kim Kardashian West's concealer kit. To be a part of amazing projects like those means the world to me. Seeing/hearing the response when the final product is revealed is always priceless.

WE HAVE ALL SEEN THE AMAZING ILLUSTRATIONS OF KIM KARDASHIAN WEST. WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH KKW BEAUTY?
Collaborating with Kim Kardashian West was a dream come true! I always wanted my art to be a part of a cosmetics brand and to see it happen was incredible. I can talk about it a million times, and use different words each time, but my gratitude, will never fully be expressed.

I LOVE HOW YOU ARE ABLE TO TAKE BOTH CELEBRITIES AND FICTIONAL CHARACTERS AND REIMAGINE THEM WITH YOUR UNIQUE STYLE AND POINT OF VIEW. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST OUT OF THE BOX PONNY BOYY CREATION?
Thank you so much! I love being able to merge multiple ideas into one piece. I would have to say the art pieces that I love the most are the ones that I connect with on a deeper, and emotional level. Some of my best work has been created under incredible emotional episodes. A perfect example of what is created under that mindset is a illustration I did of Kylie Jenner as a mannequin with a torn limb. It represented a time in my life where I felt I was being torn into way too many directions. I also illustrated a piece of the singer Sia. I drew her walking forward with her head down, and its meant to push through anything no matter what.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT WORKING OR CREATING YOUR ART?
I'm very much a homebody but I love going to the movies and trying out new restaurants because I'm a huge foodie lol. It's hard to say when I'm not working because I feel like I’m always working on something. There has never been a moment where I wasn't working except for when I sleep, and even then I'm probably dreaming about new concepts, and ideas.

WHAT CAN YOUR FANS EXPECT TO SEE FROM YOU NEXT?
They should always expect the unexpected. I've been known for one thing for a very long time. I'm proof that within trying something new you may discover a love for something you never knew existed. I've worked so hard to be where I am. Although, I still have a long way to go, but regardless of what I do or where my artistic journey takes me, I hope they join me for the ride!

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