By Rhonwyn Learner on July 7, 2025
In a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and technology, one New Jersey artist has created something truly extraordinary – a robot that teaches us how to feel. Meet John Wandzilak, the creative force behind J-Dubs Arts and the beloved character Bolt Voltage, an emotional intelligence robot who’s capturing hearts from his home base near the Jersey Shore to countries as far away as Australia and Germany.
John’s journey to creating Bolt Voltage wasn’t a straight path. Like many entrepreneurs, his story began with struggle, transformation, and an unexpected spark of inspiration. “I’ve been streaming my art online for five and a half years,” John explains, “connecting with people in Australia, New Zealand, Helsinki – creating art that’s now hanging in homes around the world.”
But it was during the challenging times of COVID-19 that John’s true calling emerged. After losing his job and facing personal struggles, John found himself in therapy, learning valuable lessons about emotional regulation and mental health. “My art was my therapy,” he reflects. “The lessons I learned, I wrote about in this book, and it’s keeping me from going crazy.”
The character that would become Bolt Voltage started as a simple art experiment two years ago. But when John’s most loyal follower – Dawn, a friend who has purchased several original paintings of the robot – asked for a book featuring all the Bolt images, John realized he had something special. “She said, ‘I don’t have room for any more of your paintings, but I want all your pictures,'” John recalls. “That’s when I decided to write a book and tell people where this robot came from. He’s not just a robot – he’s me.”
“Bolt Voltage: An Emotional Intelligence Adventure” isn’t your typical children’s book. Released in January 2025, it’s a coloring book and story rolled into one, designed to help people of all ages navigate their emotions. The book has already sold approximately 300 copies across the globe, from comic conventions to international markets.
John has identified three key audiences who connect with Bolt’s message: middle school children navigating puberty and identity questions, exhausted parents seeking a few minutes of peace through coloring, and overworked professionals struggling with stress and financial pressures. “I lived that life for 25 years,” John shares. “People who work 15-16 hour days, go home and worry about bills – I know Bolt has the legs to carry them much farther.”
The impact has been profound and unexpected. One copy went to a friend whose 30-year-old son, who has autism and suffered a brain injury, connected with the book in ways John never anticipated. “He sees himself in the pages. He sleeps with the book,” John says, his voice filled with emotion. “That’s when I realized this character is going to change the world.”
What sets J-Dubs Arts apart isn’t just the unique concept – it’s John’s genuine commitment to helping others. His business model extends beyond traditional art sales to include wearable art through Shopify, allowing people worldwide to carry Bolt’s positive message through hoodies, socks, and other apparel.
“Not everyone has room for a large painting on their walls,” John explains. “But some people have an obsession with hoodies. Some people love socks. My art takes it to a retail level, reaching a much broader audience.”
John’s approach to marketing is refreshingly authentic and grassroots. He live streams daily on Clapper, where he’s built a global following, and employs what he calls “guerrilla marketing” tactics – encouraging followers to favorite his website at electronics stores and share his content in their local areas. “I send them little 4×6 prints as thank-yous,” he says. “It’s stupid, but it works.”
Behind John’s creative success lies a deeply personal story of resilience. When COVID-19 hit, both John and his wife contracted the virus. While John recovered, his wife developed long COVID and now suffers from POTS syndrome and other complications. “She’s a fall risk. Her memory is starting to go,” John shares openly. “I’m also my wife’s home caregiver. That’s why we started the business from home – so I could still make money but take care of her.”
This personal challenge has only strengthened John’s resolve to help others through Bolt Voltage. He’s currently working with a sculptor, Brian McCrudden, to create an 8-inch figure that can be 3D printed as sensory toys, expanding the character’s therapeutic applications.
John’s commitment to his community extends beyond individual sales. He recently partnered with a local restaurant that’s been serving the area for over 50 years, providing them with Bolt Voltage coloring placemats for young diners. “Kids get to learn to meet Bolt while they’re waiting for their food,” John explains, actively seeking similar partnerships with other local businesses.
For schools interested in bulk purchases, John offers author copies at reduced rates, allowing organizations to use their purchases as tax-deductible donations while getting Bolt’s message into more young hands.
John’s tagline, #ArtToYourHeart, perfectly encapsulates his approach to business and life. “I make art that connects with people,” he says. “It’s not just paint on canvas – it’s emotion.” This philosophy drives every aspect of his work, from the original paintings that started it all to the digital coloring pages he’s developing for Procreate users.
His vision for Bolt Voltage extends far beyond the current book. “This is just the tip of the iceberg,” John insists. The character represents an alternative to the typical AI narrative – instead of robots taking over through violence, John’s future world shows humans peacefully passing stewardship of Earth to caring artificial beings. “I’m offering that alternate universe where humans said, ‘We’ve done enough to this planet. Here, take this, watch it, fix it.'”
As John continues to build his business while caring for his wife and pursuing his mission to help others process emotions, he represents the best of small business entrepreneurship – personal, passionate, and purpose-driven. His story reminds us that sometimes the most powerful innovations come not from Silicon Valley boardrooms, but from artists in New Jersey who understand that everyone needs help learning how to feel better.
Whether you’re a parent looking for tools to help your child navigate emotions, a professional seeking stress relief, or simply someone who believes in supporting authentic, heart-driven businesses, Bolt Voltage offers something uniquely valuable in our increasingly complex world.
Visit jdubsarts.com to explore John’s original art, order Bolt Voltage books and merchandise, or learn more about this remarkable character who’s teaching the world that it’s okay to feel – and it’s even better to heal.
John Wandzilak and Bolt Voltage prove that sometimes the most advanced technology isn’t found in circuits and code, but in the simple act of one human helping another understand their heart.
Website: www.jdubsarts.com
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