We were lucky to catch up with Jyasi Galloway recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jyasi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
I like to begin with formalities so first & foremost let me just say I appreciate you guys for just taking the time out to chop it up with me, that’s love. This is intriguing because it’s less of what my mother did right but more of her being transparent & raw with me. I was raised by a single mother so off the rip she tried to make sure at the best of her abilities I was poised & placed in the best of positions that she could afford, apply, and/or teach. I jumped around a lot in my youth so we didn’t really connect until I was about 15, so she really got to know me in the mid to later years of my teens & at first it was a bit weird because I knew her but not as I know her now. Our relationship isn’t really mother/son but more of Big Sister/Little Brother deal; however that allowed her to kind of meet me at my level & understand me as I understand her. The thing that always stuck with me though is she never really understood what I was trying to do or what I do now which seems left but she’d always say “as long as you’re happy & fulfilled, I’m happy & fulfilled. Just be the best version of yourself & what you’re trying to do give it your best I’m just proud that you tried.” I often think of that because honestly I believe that we’re just trying to make sure we’re making the people that we care about proud & not just living & moving but also that their sacrifices & their choices weren’t in vain & that they did a decent job. How that has affected my life/career I approach everything in the manner of what she showed in the same ways; which was a bit misunderstood at times but under all of that was Love, Belief beyond sight, & execution just make sure you gave it your best shot everything else will fall into place.
Jyasi, 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?
To be honest, & I’ll be brief. I’m a photographer before anything. However, I wasn’t in a decent place & I went through circumstances that could’ve shifted me into another direction. I’m glad I found my crafts & I’m glad I honed in on them when I did. I’m proud of the accomplishments & the incentives but that shit really doesn’t matter much to me to be fair it’s a part of the game. I love how it’s gotten me closer to people I never thought I’d be close too, I appreciate that it’s taught me more about myself that I probably would’ve never known on my own accord, but the most important virtue is I love how it has inspired others. If I can say anything to future clients, friends, etc. about myself is when you meet me I just hope that you felt Warmth, Transparency, Candor, & Sincerity. Moral of it all is when you come around here it’s all love, just be you.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Individualism & originality. People have a hard time being who they are, so they settle for being something that they aren’t just to feel validation. & there, that’s where you fail because you aren’t being true. It’s a blessing that I know who I am & I thrive in that, I’m able to express myself in a manner that is actually & probably my most vulnerable trait which is my art & my creations. You get to peek inside of my mind & see what I see, or if I decide to write & share with my peers maybe you can feel what I feel. That’s rewarding in itself & finding people who move identical to you or who have found solace in whatever you’re doing that’s a great feeling.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Honestly, it isn’t up to me if they understand or not if you do that’s dope if not that’s ok as well. But I hope that if you read this just do whatever it is that makes you feel good no matter who may not agree; it’s your life just do it right.
Contact Info:
- Website: BehindTheAvenue.com
- Instagram: Jyasigalloway
Image Credits
Kellida J. Leah A. Danilo D. Nia J. Micah D. Eric E.