Chicago in Focus: Artist RJ Juguilon’s Precision and Passion
- Project Onward Staff
- Jun 23
- 2 min read
June 23, 2025
Article by Emma Hauschild
Project Onward is proud to spotlight the incredible talent of RJ Juguilon as our June Artist of the Month. A longtime member of the Project Onward community, RJ is known for his unmatched precision, focus, and dedication. His work, often featuring detailed renderings of modern architecture, sports stadiums, cityscapes, and self-portraits, captures both the grandeur and intimacy of the urban landscape.
RJ joined Project Onward nearly eleven years ago, after a high school teacher recognized his talent and encouraged him to apply. Since then, he has grown into a professional artist, exhibiting his work both within the studio and throughout the city of Chicago. From intricate drawings of landmarks like the Sears Tower and Wrigley Field to dynamic portraits of athletes, RJ’s artistic journey reflects not only technical mastery but also a deep connection to place, identity, and imagination.
Though creativity has always been part of his life, RJ didn’t originally plan to become an artist. He studied computer science at Northern Illinois University while living at home, but his growing interest in selling his artwork led him to see art as a true professional path. Over time, his style has become increasingly refined — utilizing colored pencils, ink, alcohol markers, and fine line pens to achieve a near-photorealistic quality. His signature technique is the grid method, which allows him to scale and translate reference images with extraordinary accuracy.
For RJ, art is more than a skill — it’s a grounding and purposeful practice. He draws nearly five days a week, creating clean, structured compositions that balance foreground and background with care. Inspired by modern skylines, iconic sports venues, and even the view from his bedroom window, he carefully selects each subject and pushes through challenges like color matching by using blending tools and intuitive adjustments. His commitment to getting every line, shade, and proportion just right is a testament to his discipline and passion.
Outside the studio, RJ enjoys long-distance biking, trail walks, playing pinball, racing games, and NFL Madden.
