The Dr. Oz Show (2017, New York)

Early in his career, Johni Bleu often pursued opportunities that allowed him to bring his artwork into unfamiliar spaces, even when the outcome was uncertain. When a former college classmate invited him to attend a health and fitness segment filming for The Dr. Oz Show, Bleu created a large-scale painting specifically for the occasion and traveled to New York with the work.

Backstage at the ABC studio, the painting drew immediate attention from the production team, though its inclusion in the show remained uncertain. Ultimately, Bleu was invited onto the stage to present the artwork live on air during the taping.

The experience reflected a defining early mindset in his practice: showing up with the work, taking risks, and allowing opportunity to unfold in real time.