Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayce Wierzbicki.
Jayce, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, it all started on a dark and rainy night when the wolves were howling, the owls hoot, and my band of seven years decided to break up. I was working full time at an insurance company and my band was my life force. I could have found another band, but I just decided it’d be best to figure out something that I, and only I, could be in control of. I was always doodling and would paint from time to time, but it wasn’t until I joined Instagram and saw all these amazing artists hustling their stuff and trying to do it full time. I thought I would love to do that. So I started teaching myself more and more about drawing and painting.
I would work full hour days and come home, stay up too late, and work on art. I was pretty terrible at first (and I’m still not great) but I continued and began developing my own style. So fast forward four years (now 2017) and I’m miserable at my cubicle job but started listening and reading about the power of positivity and trying to be happy. That May, I took a leap of faith and quit my job to do art full time. I had been growing a small following on social media and had sold quite a bit, and I also saved up to keep me a float for a while. Now let’s back track a bit to 2015 when I made my first mask. I made one for an art trade (a mask that went with his signature pukey face art) and it got a lot of attention.
So after that, another artist came to me and asked if I could make one for him (I charged only $50 plus shipping). It wasn’t until then that I started making masks like a mad man nonstop. Just like anything new to someone, I had to learn so much. I should note these masks are very unconventional. I use expanding foam and found objects to create a look and aesthetic I call “Psychedelic Happy Horror.” So let’s go back to the future 2017 after I quit my job. I just kept making more and more masks and gaining more and more work, and it wasn’t until 2019 where I actually started making a pretty great living off of them! My first mask started at $50, but I now sell them from anywhere between $300 to $600. This little story just goes to show you no matter who you are, with hard work, a positive attitude, and patience you’ll be successful!
Has it been a smooth road?
Every road is hard if you don’t know where you’re going. Luckily I knew where I was ahead so the only hardships I’ve had, have been dry spells. There have been times where I couldn’t sell a damn thing and had to sell band equipment, toys and do odd jobs to pay the Bill’s. And of course, any artist is going to be hard on themselves, think they’re not good or going no where fast (sometimes the roads got a speed limit of 15) but you just gotta keep tooting along!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I specialize in the business of helping people smile. Creativity is like magic. So I deal in alchemy and try to sprinkle happiness with my artwork. What I’m best known for are my masks. I do paint, but the money’s in the face lifts. I’m most proud of never being satisfied and always striving to become a better artist. Since there’s only 1 person in my company, my customer’s service is beyond awesome. I try to give each client my undivided attention. What sets me apart is the look of each mask. I hand carve and paint everything myself, and No 2 masks are alike. Since they’re made of expanding foam, it gives it a unique look that you won’t see anywhere else. I also pay close attention to detail, from the color of the lips to a wart on the nose.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like any city is good to start in. With social media nowadays you can be in EVERY city to sell your art. But if you’re looking for art shows that’s a different story. I’m very grateful that I live between to amazing cities, Dallas and Fort worth. There is so much going on and I live in Texas where there are art scenes EVERYWHERE. opportunities are everywhere you just got to look for them and go after them.
Pricing:
- Commission masks $300-$600
- Commission painting $65 to $400
Contact Info:
- Phone: 8179376639
- Email: jayceo78@yahoo.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/Imaginarium_delirium333
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
