Jamari Taylor: Meet the Artist
Jamari Taylor is an artist primarily working in charcoal, oil and acrylics. We are excited to share more of her journey working with us on After Dark 2020 and Windows GR.
Q: How did you get involved with Lions and Rabbits?
A: Close artists friends and promotions through social media.
Q: What themes/ideas are highlighted in your work? Intentions?
A: Using Charcoal, Acrylics, and Oils, I create images that portray a person's character, power, and strength. Through portraiture and nature, I use symbolism as a way to connect with one's inner-soul, desire of high spirits, and a peace of mind. I also use symbolism as a way to uplift and get others inspired through an artist's vision!
Windows GR 2020
Q: Run us through your creative process - How do you start, flow and finish?
A: Researching nature, professional portrait photography, studies of favorite artists, and catching a vibe with music helps to get started and to complete projects!
Q: What obstacles/struggles have you encountered throughout your career as an artist? Or challenges you face through your creative process
A: I have a passion for drawing portraits and mostly of men and women that are a part of the black culture. The pros of it is being able to uplift my peers that are a part of the Black community through the uniqueness of beauty within portraiture art. It’s also a pleasure being able to educate those who are and aren’t a part of the Black culture of different experiences we have encountered through art symbolism. The cons of representing the black community is being questioned “what about other races?” Or “do you draw anything else other than Black portraits?”. It can be discouraging to want to push forward with educating others through portraiture work. Throughout the negative I’ve found that not everyone will be interested and that is okay.
Q: Can you share a little more about how your art career started. Have you always been in your field? Were you self taught or had additional schooling?
A: Jaylei Art was created with passion and love for creativity. Over the past 5 years of developing an artsy foundation, I’ve been able to expand connections in a variety of ways through the art community. Such as starting up a tutoring program in the Battle Creek, MI area for the youth to take art classes, building a creative and healing space with students in the Grand Rapids and Holland, MI community, and designing murals for multiple businesses in West Michigan. While also teaching adult paint classes and selling products at pop up shops, all of these creative outlets are what inspire me to continue to develop portraiture work that inspires others to engage in the art world
Q: Is there anything you wish you could change about your work?
A: I hope to continue to grow within my craft and expand more on studying other cultures in the future.
Q: What mistakes have you made? What did you learn from them? What are you trying to get better at?
A: Starting off as an artist entrepreneur I made a huge mistake with pricing. Under charging will only keep you starving and wondering why art collectors don’t see your worth. I’m thankful to have just simply started somewhere but I’m beyond grateful to better understand that pricing is major in the art field. I’m still trying to get better at bookkeeping finances and better pricing when it comes to selling originals, teaching classes, and working on mural projects
Q: Do you feel supported by your community as an artist? In what ways could you feel more supported?
A: Not very supported, As of now, I’m struggling to figure out how to have consistent projects throughout the year that are not only profitable to pay bills but profitable to save and invest. I consider myself a full time artist, but it has become discouraging from time to time when my schedule gets slow and I don’t have any projects lined up! More beneficial artist work would be beyond helpful.
Q: Describe a moment when you felt most proud of yourself
A: Last year of 2021 I had the pleasure of being able to work on a mural with students at Godwin Middle School in Grand Rapids, MI. These awesome young ladies wanted to acknowledge Women leaders in support of human rights through the usage of color symbolism, portraits, and affirmations as a way to educate students and staff of the Godwin community. This moment made me so proud that students and staff at Godwin Middle school can now find a space of healing, education, and a peace of mind at The Change Maker’s Sanctuary Mural. Never would I have thought that I could inspire others through an artists lens in an educational environment!
Windows GR 2020
Q: What's most important to you about what you create, and how it impacts others?
A: What’s most important to me is to always have a clear heart and peace of mind while creating. The vibe I give and pour out on canvas will immediately be felt by viewers. Uplifting spirits is necessary to changing lives through an artists vision, including my own!
Q: What's next? What are you currently focusing on or looking forward to?
A: I just finished up a Jaylei Art mural at Capital Nails in Lowell, MI. I’m really looking forward to working with students in Girls For Change at Godwin Middle school again this month. This mural will have a connection to the previous mural. I’m also looking forward to creating more original paintings/drawings, working with the youth that are a part of my Jaylei Art Tutoring program in Battle Creek, MI, and teaching painting classes!
Q: What does being an artist mean to you? What is the function of artists in society?
A: Being an artist isn’t just about knowing how to draw. It’s being able to build connections and touch one’s inner-soul visually through artistic creations. Artists make the world glow! Where ever you look, there’s art. Sometimes us artists may not realize it but without art the world would be a dull place. We have a purpose to uplift current and future society through unique means. It’s a pleasure to be on the artistic side!
Q: And of course, if you could chose any vehicle to travel, real or imaginary what would it be?
A: Mercedes G wagon
Follow more of Jamari’s work on www.jayleiart.com and instagram.com/jayleiart
Thank you for tuning into this week’s Meet the Artist, be sure to checkout more artist stories every week on our blog!
Want to support more artists just like this? DONATE to LRCFA
