Meet Jazzmyn Ellis | Creative, Paintress and Mother

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

Hi Jazzmyn, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
In all honesty I believe an artistic career pursued me. Art is something i grew up around my whole life. My grandfather, mother and uncle were all artists, It was second nature for me. After high school I drifted away from art a bit, but I soon found myself becoming friends with artists that really inspired me. Although I rarely showed my drawings a friend of mine put together an event at a brewery called arts and Ales. She asked if wanted to be in it, and I was given my first opportunity to show my work alongside so many of my talented friends. That event catapulted me into a snowball effect of opportunities and now I’m 8 years in it more fulfilled than ever. Creating things that people can relate to while also spending their hard earned money on my work s so heart warming and I’m so grateful to be able to do it.

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.
As an artist my goal is to be a platform for art that includes black and brown people. I always say black culture IS popular culture. I love to shine light on certain artists, movie scenes and figures that stand for things that mean something to me. Feminism, gender role ideologies, humor, history, duality, politics whatever is on my heart. I think my art definitely stands out because of the pallet I choose. I love to use bright neon colors, and I really like to paint clouds as a background. I was definitely inspired by Lisa frank as a kid.

Around 2 years ago my life shifted very dramatically, I moved from New York to the Virginia Beach area to have my son. I knew no one accept my family and I didn’t know how I would get back out there painting in a new place as a single mother. I found my rhythm painting again, and just continued to apply to certain events and network, and I’ve made so much progress in a year while taking my son with me everywhere. I’ve had work in the Norfolk botanical garden, I organized my first solo show at a downtown market place, and have had the opportunity to paint a mural on the boardwalk.

Im just so grateful to have been so well received in a new place, and if I’ve learned anything, it’s that your gift will shine whereever you are. If you put forth the effort and it’s meant to be, God will always bless you. Keep pushing and follow your own vision.

I want my brand to represent the deficit of humorous bright thought provoking black art exists too and it deserves to be seen in homes commercial spaces and museums

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?
If a friend was visiting I’d hope it was summer time, because there’s no place more relaxing than the beach. So that’s first and foremost, secondly we’re going to Chix on the beach after to sit on the patio and crush some well deserved food. There’s so many options of activities here but I’d say the aquarium is pretty cool here,the botanical garden is also very beautiful. there’s always a festival or market going on during the weekend, and downtown Norfolk is such a cute area to eat. I would highly recommend going to Grain for brunch to wrap up our visit on Sunday

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out God, thank you for all the blessings past present and future. I’m grateful for the highs and the lows, the gift of painting, the motivation to do it and the most amazing 2 year old boy that allows me to keep chasing my dreams while chasing him.

Instagram: @surreally_real

Other: https://Etsy.com/shop/surreallyrealART