Today we’d like to introduce you to Jess Brown.
Hi Jess, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I was first introduced to art in the second grade. My teacher asked everyone to draw a dinosaur. We had no reference picture, so I drew the first thing that popped in my head. It ended up being a Brachiosaurus, and man was it spot on. After seeing my dinosaur, everyone wanted me to draw them one. It was one of my favorite memories in school. I didn’t even know I could draw. I actually didn’t start practicing art until my older brother came home with his different genres of art projects, and I would watch him draw cartoon characters and do my science projects for me. Finally, in the 8th grade, I chose art as an elective class offered at my middle school. My teacher, a beautiful black women with the most amazing afro and colorful attire taught our class everything from sewing, drawing, and abstract art. My love for art blossomed from there. I went home and started asking for art supplies for Christmas and birthday presents. My mother bought me an oil paint set and after ruining my art sketchbook and bedroom door with oil paint, I vowed never to touch it again. Art was still in my heart as I began high school, and I took an art class every year. It was there I found that my skill of drawing was ok but my patience for it was very low. I discovered abstract art was what I truly had an eye for. I would paint for hours and be late to my next class trying finish my art pieces. I would simply get lost in the painting. I found that art was absolutely my favorite place to be. I would sit at the breakfast table while my mother cooked and paint for hours. I would sit in my room when I was grounded, painting as if I wasn’t on punishment. Art truly gave me something to look forward to, it made me feel like I could express who I truly was on the inside, with others in a way that I couldn’t say with words. Art made me feel like somebody. Fast forward to today, my skill for art has grown tremendously with experimenting with different textures and mediums. I’ve been practicing the skill of abstract art for over 18 years now, and my business Apaintersthoughts, LLC creates abstract and functional art for any interior space. I’ve created art for doctors, lawyers, F.A.M.U. University, commercial properties, and more. I truly love what I do, and I love sharing this gift with everyone who views my art even more.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Honestly, if you ask me, it’s been a roller coaster. From starting a business and learning the ins and outs of the art industry has been a struggle in itself. Being a black female artist, I didn’t really see many artists that looked like me do well in the field. I didn’t let that stop me though. Although I had no one to mentor me or help me, I knew later on in the future I wouldn’t be the only needing help. So a lot of what I have learned has been from countless hours of research, asking questions and getting very vague answers, watching videos of other artist creating pieces, and just being creative and figuring out different techniques through trial and error. I have spent countless hours and thousands of dollars on materials but I can say it has been worth every hour and every penny. I now can be that person to help not only black female artist on their journey but artist in general needing answers. The art community when I first started was very different, and very few people shared knowledge, skills, and resources. I used to call it the gate kept community. I knew this was something I wanted to do, so I kept trying. I truly appreciate all of the friends, family, and strangers who bought my crappy art and stuck with me because they believed in me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I create abstract and functional art for any interior space. I specialize in luxury abstract art and am known for my unique and rare artistic style of painting. I am most proud of how far my creativity and skilled has grown over the years. What sets me apart from others is my color, uniques designs in my art pieces.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success by the level of peace and joy you have every day that you wake up to do what you love. If it’s not bringing you peace and joy, then are you truly successful?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://apaintersthoughts.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/apaintersthoughts?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaintersThoughts
