I Am the Muralist Jonas Never, and This Is How I Work

Jonas Never works in public. His murals are seen by thousands of passers-by (and soon their Instagram followers), but he has less time to paint them than many artists who can work alone. He has learned to work quickly and make the most of his time to create local attractions in Los Angeles and beyond. We spoke with Jonas about his ways of working, his favorite drawing tools, and the rules he follows to “draw large and fast.”

Location: Los Angeles Current concert: Muralist Current computer: Macbook Pro Current mobile device: iPhone 8 One word that best describes how you work: Big.

First of all, tell us a little about your past and how you got where you are now.

I started with graffiti, so I’m used to painting large and fast. Soon after, I started painting rockabilly murals. They were great and I was able to make them in a decent amount of time.

And since I played baseball in college, I already really appreciated the sport. Eventually, I started mixing sports and pop culture in my writing.

Tell us about a recent work day.

I usually get up early to get to the wall before the early morning rush hour.

I’ll paint all morning.

When I’m in pairs, I look for something nearby to eat.

Then I’ll paint until the sun goes down, fight vehicles (like all Angelenos), buy and sort supplies for the next job.

What apps, gadgets or tools can’t you live without?

I have a few favorites when it comes to spray paint and tips: I prefer Montana 94 for portraits and detailed work. I love cans of Montana Black for the glow and background. I prefer the Montana 94 fine attachments for detailed portraits. I use a thicker tip for skin tones, clothing and backgrounds.

My AirPods help me block out ambient or traffic noise. My iPad Pro allows me to take notes and map the wall based on specific wall dimensions and project requirements.

How is your workplace arranged?

I have an office at home. It contains, among other things, my laptop, books and reference materials. I also have a garage full of paint and trading tools. My field settings do vary from one project to the next.

What problems do you face when working on and off the street?

Each project is a battle against time. Deadlines are often tight. And besides painting, I also need to prepare images, sort materials, and set up equipment. Making the most of your time is critical, especially when the days are shorter.

What’s your best life hack?

It is helpful to prepare as much in advance as possible. I try to take all my measurements and prepare the work even before picking up the jar or brush. After spending so many hours against the wall, you are looking for any place to optimize.

It sounds obvious, but before getting started, it’s important to make sure you and the client are on the same page. This will help you avoid wasting time or supplies.

And of course, you always want the image you draw to be dynamic, high-resolution, and unobstructed.

Tell us about an interesting, unusual, or challenging process you have at work.

All my murals are based on realism. So, I need to make sure everything is proportionate: the person’s face, shoulders, hair, all of that.

If it doesn’t already have a brick or tile pattern on it, I’ll spend the first day drawing a grid on each wall. This helps ensure consistency when drawing. At the end of this process, I look like a miner or a professional weightlifter with a piece of chalk on my hands. But when I lose the link, it’s easy to go back to these grids.

Who are the people who help you achieve results, and how do you rely on them?

Amy at Floyd’s 99 helped me find projects and walls to work on. I realized the value of this relationship – from Floyd’s to Bowlero Bowl (local bowling alley) to Baby Blue’s BBQ (local BBQ chain).

My wife Stephanie usually helps me take and edit photographs of my work.

I also rely on its subscribers to Instagram and Twitter ( @ never1959 ), who appreciate my work and often share it . It’s fun to talk to them and to humbly see how they visit and treat my works as attractions.

How do you keep track of what you need to do?

Sometimes I work on four or five projects at the same time. I constantly take notes on my iPhone, which helps me stay on top of what’s going on. It’s always full of projects, deadlines, and to-do lists.

How to recharge or relax?

As soon as I finish one project, I usually start preparing for the next. With work in the public eye, I want to make the most of my time without rushing.

When you’re your own boss, it can be difficult to recharge, especially as an artist.

Last summer Stephanie and I visited Italy for a few weeks. But while I was there, I studied the work of Canaletto and that da Vinci guy and thought about how I can incorporate their disciplines into my own projects.

What’s your favorite side project or hobby?

I collect memorabilia from old films and sporting events. I spend a lot of time on my old cars.

We go to a lot of concerts. Sometimes the lyrics – especially the ones that evoke a little nostalgia – inspire paintings.

Even when I watch baseball, I look at the pitcher’s tattoos or think about how to work with the team.

But I love to paint. This is passion. And it rarely seems like work to me.

What are you reading now or what do you recommend?

At the moment my favorite book is LA Bizarro (latest edition). He catalogs what you might be missing in Los Angeles. I also love Dark City: The Real Los Angeles Noir . This is a classic.

I also just read again Anthony Bourdin’s Kitchen Secrets .

Who else would you like to see to answer these questions?

Artist Mister Cartoon , who does an excellent job of connecting multiple worlds. I’d like to see how he balances his schedule.

I’d love to see Pharrell Williams do everything he does, from music to shoes and keeping his cool.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

“Love what you do for work, so it doesn’t feel like work.”

From time to time I do projects for free. I look forward to my art day in and day out. It helps me justify my purchases, especially those that help me improve the quality of my projects.

What problem are you still trying to solve?

I am working to better disconnect and be satisfied at the end of the day. I want to sit quietly and find peace. When I travel to another city, I want to enjoy where I am, not planning, developing strategies, or even coming up with ideas. I am a painter. While I hope I inspire others, I realize that I am not necessarily saving lives here.