We recently connected with Gavin Jordan and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Gavin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I first knew I wanted to pursue a creative and artistic path professionally during the summer of 2016. At that time, I worked in a corporate job in New Jersey. On a Saturday afternoon, while driving by an art store, I had an impulsive urge to stop and buy some pencils. I hadn’t seriously pursued art since high school, but this sudden inspiration rekindled my love affair with creativity.

I started sketching again, capturing anything and everything that caught my eye. To my surprise, when I shared my sketches on social media, I received overwhelmingly positive feedback from friends and family. Their reactions reminded me of my high school talent and set me on a path of exploration. With each piece I created, I felt a profound sense of fulfillment and joy that was missing from my life. As I experimented with different mediums, my artistic abilities grew exponentially. I immersed myself in art books, online resources, and art communities to learn and expand my skills.

A significant turning point came when my wife registered me for the Liguanea Art Festival in Jamaica. I showcased my paintings for the first time, and to my delight, I sold 15 of the 17 pieces I took to the show. This unexpected success fueled an insatiable appetite for continuous exploration, and I realized that my passion for art was becoming an integral part of who I am. Over the years, I grappled with self-doubt and the fear of judgment, having spent so many years in the corporate world. It took courage to let go of the familiar and embrace the unknown. However, the joy and purpose I found in creating art were unmatched by any other success I had.

With time, I learned to embrace vulnerability and authenticity in my creative process, and I developed a unique style of painting that I call sculptured paintings, where I use industrial screws to create a three-dimensional effect that brings my subjects to life. My artwork centers around the theme of the “dangers of the single story,” which seeks to challenge viewers to explore hidden narratives and imagine perspectives beyond the surface level.

Embracing my identity as an artist has brought a sense of fulfillment and purpose that I had never experienced before. My journey continues to evolve, and I am excited to see where it will lead me next as I strive to impact the art community and beyond positively.

Gavin, 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?

I’d be delighted to introduce myself and share more about my journey, artistic endeavors, and what sets me apart as an artist.

I am Gavin Jordan, a Jamaican-born artist on an extraordinary journey to capture the hidden beauty within life’s seemingly ordinary moments. My path to becoming an artist was anything but conventional. While I excelled in art during high school, I never considered pursuing it professionally due to limited exposure to art as a career. Instead, I followed a corporate path, achieving success in the financial and business world. However, a deep yearning for creative expression persisted within me, eventually leading me back to the world of art.

My artistic journey was rekindled in the summer of 2016 during a work assignment in New Jersey. On a whim, I bought some pencils and began sketching again. Sharing my sketches on social media ignited unexpected encouragement from friends and family, reminding me of my artistic talents from my youth. This rejuvenation set me on a transformative path of exploration and self-discovery.

As I honed my skills and experimented with various artistic mediums, I developed a unique style of painting called “sculptured paintings.” This technique uses industrial screws to create a three-dimensional effect that adds depth and texture to my subjects. With proficiency in impressionist techniques using oils, acrylics, and mixed media, my paintings come to life with vibrant colors, emotional resonance, and intricate details.

My art centers around the theme of the “dangers of the single story.” I aim to challenge stereotypes, spark conversations, and encourage viewers to explore multifaceted perspectives that often go unnoticed. Through my work, I strive to evoke deep emotions and create connections that transcend cultural and societal boundaries.

My portfolio includes captivating paintings celebrating the human figure and exploring diverse emotions, narratives, and experiences. Each piece is a journey, inviting viewers to contemplate the layers of meaning and connect with the essence of the subjects.

What sets me apart is my fusion of corporate finance background and my passion for art. This unique combination allows me to approach my creative process with analytical precision and emotional depth. My extensive corporate experience has endowed me with a structured approach to creativity, enabling me to push boundaries while maintaining a focus on quality and innovation. I am most proud of my journey from a successful corporate executive to a fearless artist who found purpose and fulfillment in creative expression.

I want potential clients, followers, and art enthusiasts to know that my work goes beyond mere aesthetics; it tells stories, provokes thought, and evokes emotions. I am dedicated to crafting artwork that transcends singular narratives and sparks conversations about the richness of human experiences. I hope to ignite a sense of wonder and contemplation with each piece I create, encouraging viewers to explore the often-unspoken nuances of our shared existence.

I am an active member of the Black Artists and Designers Guild and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, engaging with fellow artists and contributing to the artistic community. As I continue to evolve as an artist, I am excited to share my unique perspective, passion, and dedication with the world. My journey is an invitation to see beyond the surface, appreciate hidden stories, and join me in celebrating the beauty of life’s ordinary yet extraordinary moments.

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

There are certain aspects of my journey as a creative that might be challenging for non-creatives to grasp fully. Here are some insights that might shed light on those aspects:

Emotional Investment: For many non-creatives, the concept of pouring one’s emotions into a piece of art might seem foreign. The depth of emotional investment that goes into each brushstroke, color choice, and composition can be difficult to comprehend. Creatives often form deep connections with their work, as it becomes an extension of their thoughts and feelings.

Fear of Vulnerability: Sharing creative work can be a vulnerable experience. Non-creatives might not understand the fear of judgment and self-doubt often accompanying putting one’s creations into the world. Creative individuals expose a part of themselves through their art, making them susceptible to praise and criticism.

Unpredictable Process: The creative process is not always linear or predictable. Non-creatives might need help understanding the ebb and flow of inspiration, the moments of creative block, and the need for experimentation. Creatives often navigate through periods of uncertainty and exploration to reach their desired outcome.

Balance of Passion and Practicality: The decision to pursue a creative path is a blend of passion and practicality. Non-creatives might need help understanding the internal struggle creatives face when choosing between a conventional, stable career and the pursuit of a passion that might not guarantee the same financial security.

Art as a Form of Communication: Creatives often use their work as a means of communication, expressing ideas, emotions, and stories that might not be easily conveyed through words alone. Non-creatives might need help to perceive the nuanced messages embedded within art.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

As a Caribbean-born Black artist, there were certain lessons and beliefs that I had to unlearn to fully embrace my creative journey and thrive in the artistic world. One of the most significant lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that pursuing a career in the arts was not a viable or respectable path. This belief was deeply ingrained due to cultural and societal norms that often prioritize traditional careers and financial stability.

Growing up in the Caribbean, there was a prevailing notion that pursuing a “practical” career in medicine, law, accounting, or engineering was the safest and most respected path. On the other hand, art was often seen as a hobby or a pursuit after retirement, not a serious profession. This mindset was reinforced by well-meaning family members who intimated that pursuing art would lead to uncertainty.

As a result, I initially followed a more conventional and “secure” path by pursuing a degree in a non-art-related field, even though I had a passion for creativity and artistic expression. I went into the corporate world and excelled in that realm, but I always felt a void—like something essential was missing from my life.

Embracing my true calling as an artist required breaking free from the limitations that society had placed on me. I had to let go of the fear of financial instability and trust in my abilities to create meaningful art that could resonate with audiences. In retrospect, unlearning the belief that art was a “lesser” career path was a pivotal step in my journey. It taught me that embracing authenticity and pursuing one’s passion can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life, even if it challenges societal norms.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gavinjordanart.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/gavinjordanart