Meet Jasimen Phillips

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jasimen Phillips a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jasimen, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

I think what’s allowed me to become one of the most recognized female painters, and find success in the art world is learning to be myself and stop searching for validation outside of me. The funny thing is, once I started validating my own artwork, others began to recognize and validate my work too — not the other way around. And the spaces where I didn’t see myself reflected were often the same spaces that wanted what I had to offer. My style, my perspective, my presence — they weren’t just different, they were needed.

So, as one of the few prominent Black women painters working in in some of the art’s most elite and historically exclusive spaces, I realized early on that trying to meet expectations of what art should be — and what an artist needs to do to be respected — was actually stifling my creativity.

Everything changed when I started embracing who I am — my style, my background, my voice, my interests, my quirks, and even my flaws. When I stopped creating for approval and started creating for my own necessity, things started to click.

And I’ve been called The Face of 21st-Century Painting in the art world, but behind the public persona is just me — an LA girl who loves everything creative. I use art to try to understand the world. Realizing that who I am is what sets me apart is also what keeps me grounded.

You can’t create for others or exist just to make people comfortable. You have to create for yourself. That’s when the magic happens. That’s when the doors open — because people aren’t just seeing the art, they’re feeling it. So being “the only one” made me stronger. And now, I’m not just in the room — I’m redefining what the room looks like for the next generation of women in art.

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?

As a painter, what excites me most about this moment in my career is the creative freedom I’ve earned. I’m exploring new mediums, storytelling formats, and ways to engage with collectors and audiences around the world — not just in galleries, but through digital platforms, public art, and curated experiences. This year, I’ve been especially focused on creating immersive, universally themed paintings that brings people into deeper conversation with themselves.

The art world is undergoing a major shift — many traditional galleries are closing, and more artists are connecting directly with collectors through online sales and social media. As a self-taught artist, I initially built my career outside the traditional system — and found success doing it. That independence, and the direct relationship I’ve built with my audience, is a big part of what has allowed my artwork to gain international recognition. I’m proud to be part of a new movement that’s redefining what the road to artistic success looks like.

I’m also intentional about making space for others. A huge part of my art practice is mentorship and visibility — making sure other artists, especially women and creatives of color, know that there’s more than one path to success. You don’t need permission to make a lasting impact — just an artistic vision, and the courage to bring it to life.

One of my artistic visions has been Off Canvas, which has become the #1 art podcast of its kind. It merges painting with real conversation in a sip-and-paint format. It’s designed to make art feel familiar, fun — and more personal. Off Canvas brings the painting experience to people on their terms — through conversation, creativity, and community, both online and in real life.

For me, the future of art is personal, powerful, and independent. That’s the energy I’m leading with.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, one of the most pivotal influences in my journey was studying the masters — painters like Rembrandt, Zurbarán, da Vinci, and Picasso. Their work taught me more than just technique; it showed me how to create with vision, storytelling, and timeless impact. I don’t just admire their work — I experience it. For artists early in their journey I’d say: don’t skip this step. Explore master artworks. Let it sharpen your instincts and elevate your perspective .

Second, I committed to exploring mediums. I didn’t confine my practice to one material or method — it evolved through experimentation. That willingness to get lost in process led me to discover my own visual style. My advice: never limit yourself to what you think you should be doing. Follow what makes you curious, and let that be your guide. Innovation comes from allowing yourself to explore.

And last thing I would say is sharpening my tools. One of my favorite shows is Black Mirror, because it explores how we use tools, like technology, to shape reality, sometimes consciously and sometimes not. As an artist, I think about that all the time. Our tools shape what we see, the way we see, and how we make meaning of things. For me, drawing—particularly the study of light—transformed how I see the world and build form. Light doesn’t just reveal a subject; it gives it life, shape, presence. Once I understood how light sculpts form, I understood how to create work that has layers, depth, and emotion. So for emerging artists, I’d say master how light behaves, and you’ll unlock the foundation of great composition—and begin shaping your own reality in the process.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

Over the past year, my greatest growth has come from learning to value reflection as much as movement. For a long time, I associated success with constant output — more paintings, more shows, more exposure. But this year has taught me the power of intentionality. I slowed down, and began creating from a deeper place. I asked questions like: What is fun for me to create? What conversations do I want my paintings to have with my audience?

That clarity translated into some of my strongest work today. I exhibited at The LA Art Show, Frieze, and the Torrance Art Museum — each experience stretching me technically, conceptually, and emotionally. I also had the privilege of collaborating with arts educators at MOCA, which pushed me to think beyond the canvas and into how art shapes education, dialogue, and public space.

But what’s mattered just as much— is how I’ve been able to inspire others through my art practice. I’ve led art workshops throughout LA, and have worked with children to empower them through creativity, and expression. Because for me, growth isn’t just about reaching new goals — it’s about widening the circle and building legacy through impact. So it isn’t just about me creating good art, but using it to inspiring others to discover something in themselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jasimenphillips.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasimenphillips