We were lucky to catch up with Chris Jones Jr recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris , thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

Funny thing is, I have this conversation with myself more often than I think a person should. If I had the power to go back and rearrange some things, starting my artistic career at a different period in my life would most definitely be the first thing. Growing up in an environment that was a little tougher than others, it was a challenge for me as a kid/young adult to confidently express myself as an artist, primarily because it wasn’t the cool thing to do amongst my peers at that time. I’ve been creative for as long as I can remember, even my earliest memories of me as a child starts in kindergarten & first grade where I can only remember the days we as a class worked on art projects. I’m 33 now and as I reflect back on my journey as a creative and what I’ve learned through the process, I can’t help but think if I would’ve had the proper guidance and push to express myself as an artist when I was much younger I’d probably be in a very different space today in terms of creativity and outlook. A lack of resources has its way of making life seem a bit blurry at times. I’m a very driven and ambitious individual when I’m in pursuit of something or just simply getting things done. So, a younger me being equipped with information on how It was even possible for a person to excel in life as an artist/storyteller would’ve worked wonders for me I’m sure of it.

Chris , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

A native to southeastern Wisconsin but currently residing in Tampa Bay, Florida, I’ve been involved in art shows, video production, fashion shows, live painting events, and more. As early as elementary school I’ve always had a love for drawing, creating characters from my imagination, and re creating characters from my favorite childhood shows including Pokémon and Dragon ball. As a contemporary and abstract artist I particularly enjoy working with acrylic & oil paints while experimenting with different mediums such a as spray paint, pastels, & charcoal. Some of my artistic inspirations include Kerry James Marshall, Leonardo da Vinci, and Hebru Brantley.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Deep Work : Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, by Cal Newport.

This was the gem that kicked down the walls of procrastination for me and made my journey a bit more clearer. I highly recommend this book.

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

Im here to share my story with the world and I want to touch as many people as I can. My mission has always been to inspire the have nots, to shine light on those who’ve been in the dark not by choice but because of various circumstances. Through it all, it’s important to understand that nothing has the power to keep you down unless you allow it, you can get out here and change your life with the right amount of ambition and drive. Your work is your voice, your work is your lifeline, use it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ChrisJonesJr.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris_jonesjrart/

Image Credits
All photos taken by Dwayne Clark Jr