Author Archives: Jon

About Jon

I am a web/multimedia developer. I'm originally from New York City, now living across the Hudson in Jersey City. My work has helped power digital signage at the New York Stock Exchange and MLB Store, prime time television ads for Lucille Roberts, and both websites and content management systems for businesses and artists. I am proficient in front-end development (HTML + CSS + modern JavaScript) as well as multimedia creation and editing, and I acquire and apply new skills quickly. I have had the pleasure of working with many talented designers, art directors, and back-end developers, but enjoy a challenge and can be self-sufficient as well.

More Updates!

Added a photography section. I plan to give it a little more love and attention as I get more of my work together. I eventually want to add some of my digital work, mainly photoshopped images, as vell as some sketches/drawings.

Updates!

After a bit of a hiatus, I’ve updated the site with fresh content! You can find my professional work from email promotions to websites to television ads, and eventually I hope to add writing and drawings. The blog will get some much needed attention as well, as there is quite a bit I want to jot down and discuss.

Until next time, be excellent to each other!

Time Passes

This month, I’ll be finishing my tenure at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a decade since I started coming here, first competing at Rocky LaMontagne’s IPA Beat Battle, then eventually working the door for his shows. Years later, I’m leaving behind helping co-produce the Words and All That! events, DJing the world famous Nuyorican Friday Night Slam, and doing sound and DJing for Urbintel’s Verses, Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz, and Yerba Buena’s monthly show.

I’ve had mixed feelings about departing. I will miss the people that I’ve had the privilege to work with, the artists I’ve seen come through and inspire, and the opportunity that was given to a young man looking for his purpose. But at the same time, being a part of all the above is what moved me to pursue my own dreams, my own passions, and I move forward with a sense of excitement and healthy fear to make my long time desire to make films come true.

So I thank all the people that gave me a chance to make something of myself, that inspired me to continue my art, and that helped get me to this point. I thank the family and friends who’ve believed in me, and the tests I’ve endured in not only taking this step, but in truly becoming a man. I’ll end this with a few things I’ve learned, in the hopes that it helps someone in the same position I was a decade ago…

1) The three most important things you need are patience, assertiveness, and the ability to know when to use either.

2) Ask for help. No matter how good you are, you can get a lot more done when you have people you can rely on at your side.

3) Rest…rest…rest. It’s hard to pursue your dreams if you’re burnt out. Make time for youself.

4) Respect the past. Dream for the future. Live in the now.

5) Opportunity helps drive dreams. Pass the opportunity you’ve been given to the next generation.

Peace, love and respect to everyone trying to make something of themselves. It’s never too late to start, and always too early to give up.