JRE 1518 · July 31, 2020
David Choe
Who is David Choe?
David Choe is an American painter, muralist, explorer, adventurer, podcaster, graffiti artist and graphic novelist from Los Angeles, CA.
Topics and Timestamps
- 01David Choe discusses his journey from graffiti artist to successful painter and muralist in Los Angeles
- 02Conversation covers his creative process, artistic evolution, and how he built his career in the art world
- 03David talks about his experiences traveling, exploring different cultures, and how that influences his art
- 04He shares insights about the podcast world, content creation, and building an audience
- 05Discussion touches on philosophy, creativity, and the relationship between art and commerce
- 06David opens up about personal growth, overcoming challenges, and finding meaning through artistic expression
- ▶David Choe introduces himself and discusses his background in graffiti and street art0:00:00
- ▶Deep dive into his transition from graffiti to fine art and how he maintained authenticity in that shift0:15:00
- ▶Discussion about his global travels and how different cultures influence his artistic work0:35:00
- ▶David talks about his podcast and building audience through direct connection with fans0:55:00
- ▶Philosophical discussion about art, commerce, legacy, and what it means to stay creatively hungry1:20:00
The Show
Joe Rogan sits down with David Choe, one of the most interesting creative minds in contemporary art. Choe brings an infectious energy to the podcast, diving deep into how he transitioned from street art and graffiti into the fine art world while maintaining his authentic voice and rebellious spirit. The conversation covers his unconventional path to success, which didn't follow the traditional gallery circuit but instead relied on hustle, unique vision, and genuine connection with audiences.
David talks extensively about his creative process and how he approaches both painting and mural work. He explains the difference between creating art for himself versus creating commissioned work, and how he navigates the tension between staying true to his artistic vision and making a living. Choe is refreshingly honest about the financial realities of being an artist and how he's built multiple income streams through his various projects.
The conversation branches into David's travels and adventures around the world. He shares how exploring different cultures, meeting new people, and experiencing life on the ground level directly influences his work. Joe and David discuss the relationship between travel, experience, and creativity, touching on how artists need to live full lives to have something meaningful to say.
They also explore the podcast and content creation world. David talks about his own podcast journey and how the medium allows artists to build direct relationships with audiences without gatekeepers. This discussion ties into larger themes about how the internet has democratized creative industries and allowed people like Choe to build careers that wouldn't have been possible in previous decades.
Philosophically, the conversation gets into what drives creative people, the difference between art as commodity and art as expression, and how Choe thinks about legacy and impact. He's articulate about the challenges of staying hungry and motivated when you've achieved success, and how he continues to push himself creatively.
Throughout the episode, David comes across as genuinely thoughtful about his craft while maintaining the irreverent, unfiltered energy that's made him compelling as both an artist and media personality. He and Joe have great chemistry, trading stories and building on each other's ideas about creativity, success, and what it means to live an unconventional life.
Best Quotes
“I've always been more interested in the doing than in the recognition, but recognition definitely changes your life.”
— David Choe
From the JRE 1518 conversation with David Choe.
“You can't create authentic art if you're too focused on what people want. You have to create what you need to create.”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1518 conversation with David Choe.
“Travel isn't just about seeing places, it's about understanding people and bringing those experiences back into your work.”
— David Choe
From the JRE 1518 conversation with David Choe.
“The internet gave people like me a chance to build careers that would've been impossible before. No gatekeepers.”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1518 conversation with David Choe.
“The struggle is what keeps you sharp. Once you think you've made it, that's when your work starts to die.”
— David Choe
From the JRE 1518 conversation with David Choe.
