We recently connected with Jacey Kemp and have shared our conversation below.

Jacey, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

Silence leaves room for misconceptions. I use to be nonverbal. Not hundred percent but to the point where people would speak/think for me. My facial expressions never projected what I felt, It gave off a negative demeanor. Yet, I was just suffocating in different spaces.

When I touch art, when I create… I speak freely. It’s as if it lead me into my voice, gave me the guidance to exist and to be me.

Jacey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Jacey Kemp is a southside sweetheart. A greedy vegan and a great cook. I have a huge creative heart and my creativity is limitless. I go by many nicknames but the main two is Doses and Artist. Doses because you never know what dose you’ll get and Artist is self explanatory. I’m the embodiment of a reoccurring art show.
Either you love it or can’t understand it. I love to write, paint, sew, and cook. There is so many artistic things I pour into because it pours onto me.

I have a stylist company called House Of The Creative Junkie. I wasn’t always able to afford fashion freedom. When I got to that point in my life, it helped with my self esteem. It wasn’t about the clothing or the brand itself. It was about seeing myself in a new light, different form, and various color palettes. My slogan “Fashion is thick than flesh”. It’s where I took my power back in confidence. Where I overcame low self esteem. We have this narrative in society where only one set body type and look is it. That is what is promoted and pushed. I dislike how hard people are on themselves, including me. Try so hard to fit in a box. Trying to simplify yourself and match the stigma. We are different canvases for a reason. Certain things are amplified by us. Not the other way around.

HOTCJ – House Of The Creative Junkie is where you can hire a virtual stylist, in personal stylist, get styling advice, or even creative direction. It’s where you can see yourself from someone else POV and appreciate your own. It’s an experience and a transition into your best self. HOTCJ is “Fashionable Open House”. HOTCJ is my baby and I’m proud I haven’t given up. This is only the beginning and so much has came from just the attempt itself. Imagine where it’ll elevate to once the pavement is dry. It’s my house and it’s open for those fashionably and creatively in need.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

When it comes to artist/creatives, it’s the statistic that they’re all struggling or the money is never promised. “The struggling artist” is such a title that needs to die out. No matter what business adventure or even corporate job you tackle, it is an investment. You’re vesting time, energy, skill, and more. No matter what you pour yourself into, you have to give that for it to function. The difference comes in when you see that it takes a different kind of faith in your belief system and yourself. To be able to believe in your talent to create a residual income. It’s not easy but in the end it’s always worth it because just like any job that you give a shot, you gave yourself a shot.

We’re all so capable of many talents and have been told it will never amount to meaningful income. We let that stir our wheel from ambitions and dreams. No one else should have the power to navigate your journey. That is what I respect about all creatives. We have to ignore the noise and the no. So many no’s and opinions because from other perspective it’s a waste of time, until it isn’t. Building up anything isn’t a little sprint but a marathon. Creatives are hungry for freedom to do what they love and be their creative self’s. The world has color because of creatives.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

There are so many things I will accomplish. I have to manifest and use the terms I want to be my reality, to accomplish my mission. I feel everyone is here to plant a seed in their own way. I am a creative plant. I want to establish a fashion house that will live on forever. A place where people can feel comfortable and have an experience where they feel appreciated as they are. I want to enhance everyone’s confidence. Show them how to paint their canvas. How to drape and color it perfect. When you love yourself and feel amazing, it’s the best shield you can ever have. You don’t have to mirror anyone else. That’s not why we are here. We are here to be are best self and leave a mark that won’t taint the soil. Art lives on forever and I want color to always remain in the world. If everyone was made the same then there would be no beauty in differences.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Houseofthecreativejunkie

Image Credits
HouseOfTheCreativeJunkie, Poeticoverdosed, MrHqFilmz, Its.treausree , Mzgeetana, Nailedbyyas, NailsbyHobag.