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

Hi Rose, thanks for joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

It is one of my greatest joys in life to be able to sustain myself with my artistic practice. I understand the privilege to be able to study fine art and dive deep in this passion – and do not take it for granted. After working several different jobs after art college, it became clear to me I wanted to be my own boss, and start a business. I worked as a middle school art teacher in the daytime, and built my network and portfolio in the evenings. This was not an easy time, but I was focused on the end goal – and eventually had enough work lined up – and funds saved up – to make the move. Solopreneurship is not for the faint of heart, but I would not have it any other way. This work feels expansive and exciting. If there is something new I want to pursue – with focus, intention and planning – I know I can pull it off. I am financially more stable than when I was teaching, and was able to put a down payment on a house from my creative work. I hold a lot of gratitude for my ability to not only survive, but thrive on my creative practice.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have been making art since I can remember. Really! I have drawings and paintings from when I was 5 years old. Family support was a critical piece that allowed me to pursue this passion and turn it into a business. I was encouraged to go to art classes, art camps, and then art college. I got into mural painting first out of curiosity, and then as a way I could see myself making a living (and leaving a toxic work environment). I honed my skills and built my portfolio as I applied for grants and opportunities in the mural world. The more murals I painted, the better known my work and my voice became.

My art has always been aligned with my values in social justice and activism. Reproductive justice, climate justice, and voting rights and access are just a few of the movements I am passionate about. I understand art as an amazing tool to spread awareness and build connections in these spaces – both for myself and others. Much of my professional mural work is not directly tied to overt activism, but my recent personal work imbues themes of radical self love, joy and play. I think these elements are critical to resist forces that aim to suppress creativity and flow. I truly believe art is one of the most powerful and special ways we can tap into our own healing of body and mind. In my experience, to heal each other, the planet and the greater global community, the journey starts within!

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I see Art provides immeasurable value to people. Engaging with art and practicing it yourself is proven to have immediate and long lasting benefits. Unfortunately – especially in Washington DC and many other cities – the cost of space is prohibitive for many artists. For those who do not have a direct line of producing a tangible, marketable item (like poets, dancers, performance/installation artists etc) only the independently wealthy can pursue and share this type of art. That is not ok.

I started an organic art space called “The Stew” for 1 year in 2017-18. This began as my art studio in a strip mall, and soon I was opening it up for gallery shows, film screenings, dances, art builds for protests, and so on. Because my rent was low, I could offer the space either for free or at a low cost. This had a direct impact on the accessibility for others to activate the space. To me – this is clear. Cities, towns, and societies at large must subsidize artists and art spaces as a critical value add to the creative cultural community landscape. I am speaking about small galleries – projects and art studios that help keep artists in cities, and continue to make cities places where people want to be in an authentic way. This looks like tax incentives for property owners to have artist studios, more grant opportunities for creatives, and more regular budget items to support and sustain artists in urban areas.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rosejaffe.com
• Instagram: rose_inks
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rose-jaffe-12141425/

Image Credits
Nick Brengle, Mariah Miranda, Kate Hardy, Ellie Rose