J. Adam McGalliard shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi J. Adam, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
When I am in the studio problem solving a painting I lose all sense of time. Hours disappear while I glaze, scrape, and re-draw. I find myself again when I step outside, usually with our dogs, and notice the ordinary light on the backyard behind my studio. Those small, real observations refill the well and come back with me to the work.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m J. Adam McGalliard, a painter and professor based in Florida. My work blends traditional oil techniques with cutting edge technology to explore surreal, myth-inspired worlds that reflect on identity and climate change. I’m always chasing that space where old methods meet new ideas.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a quiet, curious kid who got lost in the imaginary. I spent hours drawing, inventing characters, constructing worlds out of random LEGO pieces.. No one had told me yet what was practical or profitable. I just followed whatever interested me. Before the world taught me how to fit in, I was already trying to make sense of it all by creating things that didn’t exist. In many ways, I’m still that kid, just with a different set of materials and tools.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a stretch after grad school when I was working long hours, barely scraping by in NYC, and starting to doubt whether painting could ever be more than survival. I had no gallery, no clear path, and I was worn out. What kept me going was this quiet instinct that the work itself was worth it. Even when everything else felt uncertain, the act of painting, of searching, felt like the one honest thing I could rely on. That kept me moving, even when I couldn’t see where it was leading.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to creating work that feels timeless, whether that’s a painting, a technique, or a teaching method. I want to make things that hold up over time, that still feel honest after years of looking. That’s true in my studio, in the classroom, or in all of their aspects of my life. I’m not interested in quick wins. I’d rather build something slowly that actually lasts.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
I’m building foundations on canvas, in the classroom, and in the studio that are meant to last. I’m designing an easel-mounted tool that won’t be on the market tomorrow, but I believe it will eventually change how some artists work. The students I mentor may not find their full voice overnight, but I invest in their growth and work toward that future with them. The paintings I make now are often seeds for concepts I won’t fully understand for years. Almost everything I care about is a slow build.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mcgalliard.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adammcgalliard?igsh=a3J2Zmplb3VrM2k4&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-adam-mcgalliard/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/J-Adam-McGalliard-112463748120956/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCc2HYm3nBW3GkwLvI6TAVQw
