Meet Jay Jones

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jay Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jay, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

Over the years I’ve learned that just by me BEING in the room, means that I am 100% qualified to be there as much as/even more so than anyone else. The unique perspective that comes with being the only artist/woman/Black person in a space often offers me not only the opportunity to shine, but to introduce others to a new way of life/thinking. At the end of the day, I know the knowledge and creativity I hold is invaluable and I trust that those who are meant to, will see it as well.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My current focus is to add the passion/feeling back into life. I think we as adults get caught up in the day-to-day happenings of the world, and forget that we each have a spark inside of us. I aim to use my art and the things I create to remind those around me that they too have a light inside of them, and it deserves to be seen.
My current projects: The Mental Health Matters journal series (available now) and By the Roots: A Grief Anthology (set to published late 2025/early 2026) Are about dealing with the…less desirable emotions/feelings (grief, sadness, longing, etc). I want those who engage with my work to know that it’s OK to feel things! You are a complex life form and deserve to no only experience but express ALL the feelings that life has to offer you, even the not so nice ones.

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?

Patience. Flexibility. And Curiosity.
Any artist worth their weight in paint or pencils will tell you that you need all three. You need patience because the process is long and can be daunting at times. Sometimes a piece you think will take three days ends up taking three months! Flexibility is needed to be able to pivot in the middle of a project when things seem to be going wrong. I’ve changed color palettes in the middle of projects more times than I could count. And lastly, without curiosity there is no art, there is no progression, only stagnation and entropy.
In the words of one of my childhood heroes (Ms. Frizzle) “Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!”

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I would love to!
Currently dipping my toes in editorial and children’s book illustration if anyone would like to partner up, they could reach me at my business email address: [email protected].

Contact Info:

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