Your Life Is the Art with J.D. Boychuk
What if a winding path, not a straight shot to fame, is exactly how an artist builds a life and a career? JD Boychuk talks public art, creative resilience, community, and learning to let the work (and life) unfold.
Summary
Siobhan sits down with artist, educator, and creative entrepreneur JD Boychuk for a wide-ranging conversation about making art, and making a life. JD traces his path from Metro Detroit to Florence, Shanghai, and the Bay Area, sharing how travel, teaching, construction work, and unexpected opportunities shaped his practice.
At the heart of his art is a question: What happens when viewers bring their own stories and experiences to a work? JD calls the clues he leaves behind “breadcrumbs of recognition,” inviting people to make their own connections rather than search for one fixed meaning.
The conversation also gets practical. JD offers advice for artists interested in public art: build evidence of what you can do, show up in your community, learn how RFQs and RFPs work, and follow up. He speaks candidly about rejection, pricing, networking, and why creative work doesn’t have to follow a straight line, or pay every bill.
Along the way, JD shares the story behind Loveliqé, Dad’s Everywhere Butter, a body butter he developed for his family that grew into a product sold at the Alameda Gallery and Collective.
It’s an episode about staying open, finding your people, and trusting the next step even when you can’t see the whole path.
J.D. (John) Boychuk
J.D. (John) Boychuk is a Richmond, California, based multidisciplinary artist, former professor, and community advocate whose work spans ceramics, sculpture, metal, painting, and writing. Originally from Metro Detroit, he studied at the University of Michigan and earned his MFA at California College of the Arts; his work and community involvement include public art, teaching, and nonprofit leadership with organizations such as the Richmond Art Center and Kisa International. He also created Loveliqé, a body butter that began as a safe alternative to chemical moisturizer for his kids.
Resources & Mentions
California College of the Arts (CCA) — JD’s MFA and teaching background
California Arts Council — Community arts opportunities and grants discussed
1% for Art programs — Public art funding programs mentioned
RFQ / RFP — Requests for Qualifications and Proposals for public projects
Richmond Art Center — JD’s teaching and board experience
Kisa International — Uganda nonprofit where JD serves on the board; the conversation mentions a children’s art center and a donated kiln
Slate Gallery, Oakland — Mentioned as a gallery that helps connect artists and developers
Love Leak Dad’s Everywhere Butter — Available at the Alameda Gallery and Collective, according to the episode
Books: Questions Are Answers (JD’s MFA thesis); Another Question Is the Answer (working title for a book in progress)
Other references: Choose Your Own Adventure, Mad Libs, Scanners, Tommy Boy, Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, and “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” by The Smashing Pumpkins
Event mentioned: Fireside chat and art mixer, October 17 at 4 p.m.
💡 Key Takeaways
Your creative identity belongs to you. A rejection, an unrelated job, or an unconventional career path doesn’t erase the work you make.
Public art starts with evidence and presence. Experiment, document your work, attend local meetings, and learn how qualifications and proposals work.
Relationships need follow-through. Showing up, making the call, and helping others can open opportunities you couldn’t have planned.
Making art also means learning business. Pricing, project management, and boundaries help artists turn creative work into paid opportunities.
Give the process room to surprise you. Loosening a rigid vision can make both the work and the life around it more satisfying.