Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Lawson.
Hi Jordan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I always was a hands-on child that had an interest in the arts. So, my background of being a visual artist began when I was in middle school. I went to schools where I was able to specialize in visual art and graphic design programs. From there, I majored in Digital Art & Design at Towson University.
It was during my senior year of college, where a switch occurred to change my mindset of becoming an entrepreneur in the arts. I always had the mindset that I was going to work in a design agency as a graphic designer, but during my Senior Project class, my professor enlightened me that I could create my own artwork and sell it through galleries and with my online store. From there, I dived in full force. After I graduated, I participated in a multitude of art shows and galleries to showcase my work and build a fan base. I learned that being consistent and networking with all different types of people proved to be the ingredients needed to succeed in this space.
Fast-forwarding to 2019 (4 years after I graduated college), I was able to quit my job as a graphic designer to become a full-time entrepreneurial Artist. That was probably the most important decision I made in my life because I honestly took a leap of faith with no certainty in my future. There are no guarantees in this entrepreneurial space and your confidence has to be at an all-time high through the good and the bad.
During this current stint as an entrepreneurial artist, I’ve been able to capitalize on a plethora of opportunities and really create a voice for myself as an established brand. Your story is important because a lot of times people will buy into the brand, not just the products or services they offer. That has probably been the most impactful part of my journey. I’ve been able to reach an audience and tap into their emotional side with my artwork. My unique combination of subject matter and aesthetic execution sets my style apart from that of others. My art is not created to simply fulfill what seems to be marketable to a certain crowd, but rather captures the uniqueness and individuality of people, life, and experiences.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. We all have struggled along the way, but you have to learn to push through and build resiliency. On this journey, I had to learn to keep the same energy whether two people are watching me or hundreds. Building the brand through consistency can be very discouraging because there are times when I felt my artwork wasn’t connecting to my audience. And when the main mission of your art is to capture the nostalgia of life to bring back that classic feeling, it can be disappointing when you don’t get the feedback you’re expecting.
I think the biggest obstacle has been the inconsistency that comes with entrepreneurship. Coming from a 9-5 job and expecting a paycheck every two weeks. That expectation has to change with entrepreneurship because you can make a whole lot of money one day and nothing the next. I have learned that projections and budget are major keys in entrepreneurship.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a Digital Artist and Art Curator. I specialize in digitally creating my artwork using vector design and transforming my art into various mediums from canvas to puzzles to coloring books. I pride myself on using my artwork to create that nostalgic feeling that connects to my audience. I do a great job with storytelling and involving my audience with my process and journey. Crowd/consumer interaction is really big for me and I’ve used tactics such as text message marketing to involve my audience on the journey. The versatility of my craft speaks volumes.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like best about our city is how unique we are. You can always spot out somebody from Baltimore when you’re out of town because of the way we speak, dress, and just our demeanor. I love it because it seems as if we’re always the topic of conversation with other cities. Other people, lowkey want to be like us.
What I like least about our city is the underdog mentality that we can’t shake. I feel like in some aspects people always look at Baltimore as the in-between city. We just don’t have enough sauce to get over the hump. You always hear “there’s so much potential in Baltimore”. But when does the potential turn into reality? A lot of the happenings in the city don’t get enough light or coverage, which I feel is a part of the problem.
Contact Info:
- Email: Jordan@artbyjlaw.com
- Website: ArtByJLaw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyjlaw_/
