Meet Jacob Kunysz: Artist

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

Hi Jacob, how do you think about risk?
I think that risk taking has shaped every aspect of my life. As someone who grew up skateboarding, I learned at a young age that achieving success after taking a risk is one of the best feelings ever.

Taking a risk makes yourself vulnerable, and I believe that vulnerability is a good way to both stay humble, and preform at your best ability. To me it’s like a “fight or flight” response. Either try your hardest and trudge through this scary, unsafe feeling, or give up and go back to being comfortable. I know that for me, I am the most happy working to achieve my goals. I also know that I am the most sad when I stop pushing myself and let my self get complacent.

An example of a risk I recently took was quitting my job in order to pursue graphic design full time. I made the realization that in order to achieve my dream job, I need to immerse my self in all things design. While I loved the job I was currently at, I made the hard decision to quit. My plan is to get to work every day on my computer, adding projects to my portfolio and use it to achieve a full time graphic design role. I knew going into this that it is an uphill battle and tons of hard work, but that is what I like best about it!

Taking risks is what makes life worth living for me, I would rather take these risks now and fail terribly, than to play it safe and look back at my life saying “what if?”.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Creativity makes the world fun! I believe that my passion for design and typography is what sets me apart from others. I am willing to put the work and time needed in order to have a successful career in art and design. One of my proudest moments as a graphic designer was seeing my favorite skateboarder, Andrew Reynolds, wear a t shirt that I designed and printed. A lesson I have learned to stay organized and learn the tools of the trade. If you are willing to put the time in to learning what the tools are and how to use them, you will inevitably succeed! This mixed with good organization of goals is a recipe for success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A perfect day out with me would consist of going to Strands Beach in Dana point to body surf, then go grab a “Lupe’s in Cali” burrito for lunch at Lupes Mexican Eatery. We would then go to The Fort Skateshop in Laguna Niguel to set up a fresh skateboard and say what’s up to all my friends working there, then skate the whole rest of the day at the numerous Skate spots the neighboring cities offer. We would go grab some fish tacos for dinner at Baja fish taco before hitting Kareoke at Patsys. You won’t get a ride home from me unless you get up there and sing a song. My go to is Jack and Dianne by John Mellencamp. I am so thankful to live in an area where I can do this every day!

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?
I have an awesome group of family and friends that believe in me and continue to push me every day. I wanted to give thanks to my friend Nicky Rudolph for being a positive role model in my life. I want to thank my girlfriend Bri Southworth for believing in my abilities and continuing to push me as an artist. I would like to thank my Mom for raising me in a way where I am proud to be myself.

Instagram: Instagram.com/jacobkunysz.design/

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCgpl7NSmBRKIXUQE55yFzyA