From Forest Explorations to Bold Art Direction: John Anthony on Crafting Visions, Influences, and Creative Challenges

Meet John Anthony Pullings, a Houston-based photographer, art director and model with an amazing vision rooted in nature and self-discovery. From capturing landscapes with his first iPhone to directing bold, narrative projects, John has evolved into a self-taught artist known for his fearless, introspective style. Inspired by icons such as Tre Koch and Nick Knight, he has a fresh, unfiltered approach to visual storytelling, blending raw emotion with high artistry. Let's dive into his world that crosses creative boundaries.

Could you tell us a little about yourself and how you got started in the world of photography and art direction?

Hello, my name is John Anthony Pullings. I’m a Photographer, Art Director, and Model from Houston, Texas. Art has been a part of my life since a young boy in grade school. I’ve always possed an explorative imagination. After many years of trying different methods of art. It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I discovered my passion for the visual arts. I was in the forest exploring with my friends. I opened my camera app on my new iPhone for the first time and I became obsessed. Nature was my original muse. I spent hours in the forest taking pictures of landscapes and clouds. After years of practice and observing the world through my own perspective. I started to express myself through creative visions. Being only a reflection of what inspired me.

Throughout your journey in the industry, have there been any mentors or key figures who have influenced your approach? Are there any photographers or creatives you particularly admire today?

I’ve been working on my craft for four years now. During those four years I have been self taught. The opportunity to have a knowledgeable mentor would be great for me and my career. The current photographers that I favor in the industry are Tre Koch, Nick knight, and Hugo Comte. They inspire me to express myself to the fullest and create what I feel.

In your latest project, ‘MEZZANINE’, the color black plays a central role. Can you take us through the creative process behind this project and share the references or inspirations that guided you?

“Mezzanine” was inspired by the group's Massive Attack album cover. Also titled “Mezzanine”. The album as a whole inspired me. The music moved me and caused me to self-reflect and get in touch with a different version of myself. The darkly toned stories of loss, loneliness, and roughness created a vision in my mind that I had to carry out. I used the platinum black edit, the choker, and mohawk to express an alter ego. An alternate version of myself that was more tough and edgy, ready to face and overcome the tribulations of the world. This project was my personal interpretation of the album.

Music inspires a lot of my work. Music ignites my empathic nature. It causes me to have visions and feel deeply connected to frequencies and sounds that come over me. I’m also a meditator. Through meditation I sometimes see visions of manifestations that help me create and direct ideas.

What do you consider the biggest challenges facing photographers and art directors today, and how do you approach overcoming them in your work?

The biggest challenges I believe artists face today. Would be impatience and censorship. Social media can sometimes be overwhelming causing artists to rush their creative process. Resulting in unfinished projects. As artists we should take it easy and let our creativity flow naturally. Only focusing on the quality of the outcome. I overcome this problem by taking breaks in my creative process. This helps to calm the mind and be present.

Censorship is a common issue in the art world. Art is an open, expressive concept. I believe artists shouldn’t be afraid or cautious in their attempts to create. We have our own stories to tell and they all deserve equal recognition. I combat this issue by putting myself out there to the fullest as an advocate. I hope to find an audience that understands my intentions.

If you could collaborate with any artist or creative figure, past or present, to create a dream project, who would it be and what concept would you explore together?

A designer I would be honored to collaborate with as a photographer, model, or art-director. Would be Rick Owens. I admire the aesthetic and designs Rick Owens creates. I’ll love to explore a dystopian influenced high fashion editorial concept.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping many industries, including photography and art direction. How do you envision AI influencing your role and the creative process in the future? Do you see yourself integrating it into your work?

As a photographer and art director. I believe we should embrace A.I. and its assets. It will broaden the horizon for creatives. I have a pretty open mind when it comes to creating. I am curious to see where it can take me as an artist.

Interview by Eleonora Pirisi

Images Courtesy of John Anthony

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