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

Jonarra , appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Entrepreneurship, on its own, is a lonely journey. Add being a Black woman to it and the road becomes even tougher. I have been forced to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and apply my own perspective and ideas in order to pave my own path. Despite the difficulties, this has been the most empowering thing I’ve ever done for myself and my family.

I didn’t grow up rich. I got my first job at the age of 13 and by the time I was in high school, I was working two jobs just to be able to buy lunch and participate in extracurricular activities. The reality of my upbringing, accompanied by the fear of uncertainty, and the fact that I am a mother, made leaving my 9 to 5 terrifying. However, I’ve embraced the challenges in pursuit of a dream where success is built on resilience, innovation, and unwavering determination.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

JONARRA SWANSON is a Seattle based artist inspired by community. She started painting to aid her own mental health, selling art in the streets of Seattle during the pandemic. She started NARR to share artwork that empowers confidence and ambition specifically aimed towards first generation entrepreneurs.

Jonarra is deeply inspired by the concept of mental wellness and its transformative effects. Through her carefully crafted artwork, she aims to promote mental well-being, encourage self-expression, and ignite a sense of hope and resilience within our community.

What sets NARR apart is its commitment to community empowerment. She actively engages with local businesses and collaborates with organizations that share a vision of fostering mental wellness. Through workshops, events, and partnerships, she aims to create a platform where artists and individuals can come together, share their stories, and inspire one another.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I started as an artist, that was a huge pivot in my life. I lost both of my jobs during the pandemic and was freaking out not knowing what to do next. I had already started painting to help relieve stress and just decided to start selling prints to random people in the street. I picked up Uber Eats to make extra income and would drop my business cards off to every single customer I had. Eventually, I made enough to buy oil paint and a few canvases and joined my very first market, curated by Franchesca Vargas called the Black Love Market in Renton. One day, someone saw my art while I was vending on a street corner in the market and gave me the contact of a gallery owner in Bellevue. That day changed my life, and I’ve been painting ever since.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I am deeply inspired by the concept of mental wellness and its transformative effects. Through my artwork, I aim to promote mental well-being, encourage self-expression, and ignite a sense of hope and resilience within our community.

What sets NARR apart is its commitment to community empowerment. I actively engages with local businesses and collaborates with organizations that share a vision of fostering mental wellness. Through workshops, events, and partnerships, she aims to create a platform where artists and individuals can come together, share their stories, and inspire one another.

Contact Info:

• Website: Linktr.ee/Narr.artwork
• Instagram: Instagram.com/Narr.artwork

Image Credits
1029 photography Fuego_gatsby Nii_capture