Local StoriesOctober 16, 2023

Check Out Jazzy Cherrie’s Story

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jazzy Cherrie.

Jazzy Cherrie

Hi Jazzy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2019 I started off on a healing journey, which quickly led to a self love journey, which led to an artist journey. It is because of this that my art is heavily tied to healing and self love. It is an abstract depiction of emotions that are not always easy to express, but can be felt. I use the names to connect further with my viewers to give them insight on what emotions are being portrayed.

My name is Jazzy Cherrie and I identify as an black abstract expressionist painter. I am from Baltimore, MD. I have always had a passion for art since i was a small child. It wasn’t until the passing of my mother at 9 years old, that i poured into my passion for the arts. After my mothers passing i moved to Baltimore county where i was able to attend a magnet middle school where theater was my magnet. During that time i also took up many other art forms such as band, visual arts, and dance. Although, i strayed away from the art realm as a teen and young adult.

After a bad break up in 2018. I began a healing journey, which quickly led to a self love journey, which led to an artist journey. It is because of this that my art is heavily tied to healing and self love. It is an abstract depiction of emotions that are not always easy to express.

Since i returned to the art space at 28. I felt the need to return with vengance since i was making up for lost time. I began making jewelry in 2018. My typical mediums for my jewelry are beads, wire and charms and rhinestones and polymer clay. And intentionally keep an abstract vibe going particularly with my earrings. As i am huge fan of statement pieces specifically with earrings. In 2019 i began painting, The mediums that I use most often are acrylic paint, spray paint and ink acrylic. Most of my paintings are created intuitively and only include figures if I am inclined to do so. based on where I am within my spiritual journey. When creating figures I focus on black full figured women. Since I am a full figured woman of color myself it is a reflection of my own personal unique beauty. I focus on self love as an artist as well as a entrepreneur.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road of my creative journey has not been a smooth one during the pandemic, I decided that I did not want to work full-time employment anymore. I wanted to be able to rely on my creativity to fund my life.

That alone came with many challenges. I struggled financially up-and-down with being able to maintain the previous lifestyle that I had created. Fall of 2022, I decided that I needed to return to work. However, I wanted to stay in alignment with my creative endeavors. And I was able to obtain a position as a manager for an after-school program. This caused me to have to take a small break from my creative endeavors to figure out my role.

Since then, I have been able to find a work-life balance and have been working to put myself out to the public. I originally thought that I would be able to do it through the Internet. Which is where I did most of my promotions during the pandemic.

I began to realize that I needed to create organic interactions with people in a public setting so I have been attending bending events where I display my art and sell my jewelry.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In addition to my jewelry and paintings, i published a self-love activity journal, titled, “Queen Mee”. As well as a motivational coloring book for women of color, titled ” Melanin Magic”. Both are published through Amazon.

I have currently been focused on my jewelry collection. My jewelry is available online and I have trying to stay present at various pop up events throughout Baltimore. I looking to expand my reach by attending events out of town. I am looking to put on an art show sometime in the near future.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The COVID-19 crisis helped me learn to think outside of the box and push my creativity to new heights.

It also showed me what it feels like to be able to be free of the workplace and focus on what I am good at and what makes me happy.

I also learned that blowing up on the internet is not as easy as it seems.

Contact Info:

Website: Jazzycherrie.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/queenedmelanin?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

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