Meet Gem Jaxx | Gallery Owner & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gem Jaxx and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gem, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success is never being content and always thinking of ways for improvement. This is only going to help the success of your brand.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My artwork explores the relationships with current pop culture and history. I create artwork to connect people with the present times and history. I want to give purpose to the present, forgotten, and obsolete. I experiment with a vibrant color palette because this is what speaks to me, and it flows like magic. I work in digital format and then I print my own artwork and I cut them into pieces and build layers. With influences such as Andy Warhol and today’s artist Shepard Fairey. I enjoy mashing pop art with street art and to finalize my creations I use aerosol, acrylic, oil, paper, stencil, and pastel.

It has taken me 12 years to get to where I am professionally and I continue to push to further within my career. There were risks that I have taken such as spending many hours on my art and less time working so I can master my art. I risked relationships because my art came first. In the beginning I was living on a budget so that was the struggle but years later it paid off. With all the hard work and dedication I have finally created a brand for myself that people are recognizing and I can now work for myself and help mentor others. I never dreamed how far my art would take me and its really cool to see it flourish. One lesson I have learned is to have patience and don’t let your doubts get the best of you. Take the risk and do what you were meant to become! If I can do it, than so can you! I went to college and worked a 9 to 5 but it just wasn’t cutting it. I decided I’m going to take my art to the next level from hobby to professional. So I bought a cheap $10 easel and set up my first studio in my kitchen. Years later I am now a gallery owner and successful artist who is showing up in NYC and most recent Miami Art Week. Once we get covid under control I plan on showing Internationally. So look out for my brand Gem Jaxx Art.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I do not live in Miami however I can definitely show you a great time! We would start out in Wynwood and check out all the impressive murals, galleries, graffiti museum, and Wynwood walls.! Have a snack and drinks at Coyo Taco on 2nd street Wynwood! Hang out and get a taste of Cuba coffee and some delicious empanadas at Cortadito Coffee House Meridian located at Lincoln and Washington. The spinach empanadas are the best. Next stop we are hitting up Miami Beach for some beach fun and to walk the famous south beach skyline. A must to get your photo of Versace Mansion and grab some dinner at one of the many amazing restaurants. Its time to get out of the city for a bit so we would on a 3 hours road trip and visit the Keys! A blast on Duval Street in Key West! When you get back from the Keys it’s time to refresh with a mojito and now we go to Little Havana. Check out Olds’ Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina which is located on the famous “Calle Ocho” of Little Havana. The food is amazing and one of the best mojitos and live entertainment from local Cuban bands.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout to my brother who helped me with all my art set ups from the early beginning. Investing in one of my first galleries where I learned the fundamentals of curating and throwing art pop up shows. To all of my collectors from the very beginning. If you didn’t support my art I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing! My awesome wife who is my biggest supporter through my art journey.

Website: www.gemjaxxart.com

Instagram: @gemjaxxart

Image Credits
Photo credit : Artist Haven