Meet Jami Childers

We were lucky to catch up with Jami Childers recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jami, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

My self esteem has come through in leaps of faith. I’ve let fear keep me from branching out with my art for far too long. After I lost my Mom from Covid, and then lost two best friends in a short period I decided that life was far too fragile to waste it being too fearful to do the work my heart so wanted.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’ve been an artist as far back as I dare to remember. For the last 28 years I’ve worked as a cosmetologist at the same hair salon. I bought the salon after I worked there for five years. I did a lot of portrait painting on the side. When I purchased the salon I even brought my paints to work with me and feverishly worked when I wasn’t busy with clients. I also taught evening painting classes when we would close up the salon. I suppose that was my first leap of faith. I thought you had to have a degree to teach. I had taken some college art classes but I was still raising my boy girl twins then, no time or extra money to peruse an art degree. My dream has always been to do my art full time. I knew in order to do it right I’d have to dedicate myself full time at some point.
When Covid hit and the world turned upside down I knew I had to make some changes. It wasn’t too long after my wonderful artist friend Tammy passed away that her friend Dawn called me up and asked if I knew about this koi painting, and she texted me an image. I said, yeah that’s my artwork. Her and I had become friends while caring for Tammy, who was her neighbor. That conversation became a catalyst for that change. I sold that painting eight years ago, it was now up for auction in an affluent area. I called Rachel Kenny from Estate Jewelry by Rachel, she was holding the auction. She said, in the entire estate that was up for auction that my painting was sold first and that people continued to call about it! She was so encouraging, and told me to never quit painting. I was getting quite frustrated but that ignited a spark in me. I decided the first thing that I needed to do was to get BUSY! So ever since I’ve willed myself to get up every morning at 4:30 and paint. So that’s exactly what I did. I also spoke with an art consultant and we made a plan. She told me that I was as or more talented as most of the artists out there making it, I’m pretty sure I didn’t believe her. She said what I was lacking was confidence. She hit the nail right on the head! It’s funny we all seem to have many voices that speak to us. One that says, you can’t do that, you aren’t educated or talented enough. People don’t like you. Then there’s the other voice, the one that compares. It says, your work is better than that art, why are they excelling? I don’t know which voice is worse but I decided I must listen to one that encourages, the one that says try even if it’s hard, embarrassing, challenging, or even if you heart is breaking. That’s the voice that I let carry me, most days. Life is meant to be lived, we gotta get out there and get to the business of living it. I know that my artwork reflects that positive mindset. The people that come up to me in my art booth, (I’m actually doing high end art festivals now), they tell me they are inspired by the colors and my detailed cheery scenery and wildlife. It is the same feeling I get when I’m painting. I started doing the art shows late last year. My husband has been encouraging me all the way, I couldn’t have done it without him. We are both blown away when I received the Best in Show award in Bonita Springs Florida also in Fernandina Beach at The Shrimp Festival this year. I am completely humbled every time. I’ve also received National recognition with The National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society. It is an amazing experience. The self confidence has come with each award, and acceptance letter. I can finally see what my supportive family have seen all along. I’m sure that’s what we all strive for in this world, bit of acceptance and acknowledgment. What I’m creating is reaching others and it’s changing me.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I once heard an art teacher who told me about three students of hers. Two of these students were boys, extremely talented and gifted artists. The other student was a girl that lacked the ability and confidence these boys had. She barely made it into the class but this kid had drive, she really wanted to learn. The boys while gifted lacked motivation. That girl ended up surpassing those two boys. She put in the work, she tried harder, she persevered and it paid off. Talent will only get you so far in this life. You have to cultivate a drive that motivates you. It keeps you suiting up and showing up even when you aren’t inspired. I try to find the joy in life every where I go. I find myself in cities I’ve never been before and I always seem to find something to photograph and paint later. Find the beauty right where you are!

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

I believe that getting touch with God has been the most important thing I’ve done. Having a relationship with him has kept me grounded and helped me prepare for all these positive changes. Letting go of the things that were no longer serving me was instrumental in the positive change my life needed. I quit drinking and smoking and changed some really harmful negative self talk that was just eating away at me. Now I see things in a completely new light. My mind is clear of the clutter. I was taking to my husband after a big art sale and was saying, why didn’t I do this sooner. Honestly, I wasn’t ready earlier. My heart wasn’t ready for the inevitable rejection that one goes through in this process. I was the kind of person that takes everything personally. You can’t do that in the business of art. The ones that make it aren’t necessarily the most talented, they are the ones that keep just showing up. Perseverance is the key. I always thought I had to be the best or not do it at all. I had to let perfection go too, that one never did serve me! So get out there and search out the life you want.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Jamichildersart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jami_childers_art?igsh=OTNxbjZmMTJheXBm&utm_source=qr