By Krystle J. Bailey
John Morris, known by his artist name as “Johnny Dreamawake,” originally hails from New York and currently resides in Atlantic County, where he has created a blossoming career as an artist. This week, he is participating as a contributing muralist for one of the four 48 Blocks AC Murals being installed in Atlantic City.
The 39-year-old father of three is a multi-talented creator, painter, visionary, and muralist. His love for creating began as a young kid when he fell in love with comic books. Encouraged by his mother, Johnny began creating his own comic book characters by the age of six. When he moved to Pleasantville, NJ, Johnny discovered that he could combine his passion for art with his newfound love of clothing and style. As a preteen, Johnny began displaying his artistic creations on backpacks, hats, and t-shirts.
As the years continued to pass and Johnny tapped further into his creative talents, he moved back to New York with intentions to attend art school following his course in general studies at Atlantic Cape Community College (ACCC). When opportunity knocked, Johnny answered. Rather than heading off to art school, he began saying “yes” to music-industry opportunities that would ultimately become the catalyst for his artistic career.
For the last 10 years, Johnny Dreamawake has been contributing his talents in a variety of different ways, including his 2006 clothing brand, Heaven and Hell Clothing.
Johnny is now a student at Stockton University studying visual communications, the creator of Blck $heprd Clothing Company, co-owner of Drips in Absecon as well as co-owner of the collaborative art space known as Studio 130.
“Now, I make it a point to do the things that I really want to do creatively,” explains Johnny, who has participated in several Atlantic City Arts Foundation installations, including 48 Blocks and ARTeriors.
“The arts foundation has been really important to me,” he shares. “I remember answering questions when I did the first ARTeriors in 2017, and I said the arts community was growing. Now it’s definitely here. So much has grown and changed since then. I believe this area will be known for more than casinos and the boardwalk. We are going to turn this into a creative hub.”
Johnny Dreamawake is continuously inspired by the opportunity to make “something out of nothing,” turning empty spaces and blank walls into works of art.
When asked what advice Johnny would give aspiring artists, he shared, “Make sure you move with love. Let love and intuition guide you. That gut feeling won’t lead you in the wrong direction.”
