We recently connected with J. Stacey Grayson and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, J. Stacey 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 have always been a creative person, starting at a very young age. Over the years, I always had opportunities to utilize the natural skills and abilities that I possessed but I never considered pursuit of a career in a visual arts capacity. I did however, want to become a theatrical performer or broadcast personality. Upon graduation from college, I quickly accepted the reality of pursuing an acting/communications career would elude me for years if not forever, so I secured “traditional” types of employ and spent many years working at various jobs in the educational, travel industry, and customer service fields, the most recent being in the Facilities area at a well known Atlanta institution of higher education. Upon learning that at age 60, I could retire with benefits, I did not hesitate to exercise that option and shortly after my 60th birthday, I retired. Initially, I saw it as another opportunity to seek work in the theatrical/film industry, especially since the landscape in Atlanta had changed so drastically over the 30 years since graduation. I had also thought about perhaps owning an art gallery that could function as an event space to pay the bills as well. By chance, I enrolled in some art classes at one of the Fulton County Senior Centers and it was plainly evident where the new journey was leading me. The response from individuals seeing my creative works solidified the path as a visual artist instead of a performance one. And here I am today, being solicited for art shows, commissioned art pieces and artistic residencies regularly, in only my second year as a “professional” visual artist.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As previously stated, I have always been a creator, from a very early age. I was always recruited to help others accomplish tasks utilizing my innate creative talents. My art is simple. It’s re-imagined versions of things I encounter in life as I see art in everything that I encounter. When driving down the street, and I see a group of birds sitting on an electrical wire, I see the art in it… when I pass a tree that the wind has blown and entangled a piece of red plastic into the limbs and struggles for release, I see art…when I’m flipping through the pages of a book or magazine and encounter an image, and ponder what it would look like using recycled or found materials, I see the art…What sets me apart from other artists is my attention to detail and stretch for perfection in recreation. It is sometimes a hindrance to completing a piece but I know at the end of the process, I have tried my best to execute to the best of my ability, never settling for the quickest or easiest option out. I create art from the heart and not in an attempt to garner monetary remuneration. I do want it to appeal to, be relevant to or intriguing to individuals when they see it. And as far as I am concerned, my creations really are priceless. Another element to my art is that I view it as kind of an experiment in design, construction, theory, geometry, science, and art appreciation. Once I have conquered those particular aspects of a piece and it’s released into the world, I move on to the next waiting challenge. It’s going to be a one of a kind, never repeated entity (with the exceptions of my Black and White, pen and ink renderings). People often remark that they knew a piece of art was mine even without looking a title card. I am most proud of and want people to expect a high level of execution and perfection, as well as uniqueness when experiencing my creations. I am often solicited to create works that are not necessarily available over the counter. I have been commissioned to create a faux front for an office desk, to replicate one that was unavailable for purchase, to reconstitute a fireplace wall hanging to update its appearance using leather and fur, to replicate one of Beyonce’s headdresses for a Halloween event, to create bible stories murals for an entire hallway of a church’s children’s ministry, to transform an unfinished basement into a sleek, night club atmosphere utilizing only fabric draping, to create wall tapestries geared specifically to a person’s likes or persona, to create faux plant walls in an office, to use reclaimed wood scraps to create wallscapes. I have been fortunate enough to be very handy and crafty, skilled in the ability to visualize and manufacture all types of unusual artistic projects.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creator is envisioning something never before seen, developing that thought or concept in my head and then being able to execute one of many processes to bring that inspiration into fruition as something now tangible, something to affect and to experience. Watching a blank sheet of paper go from its nothingness into something that brings enjoyment or laughter or inspiration or intrigue into the world results in a sense of accomplishment that I didn’t necessarily associate with previous employs. I view my creations as self sustaining entities that have had the breath of life breathed into them, by me, to add some thing of beauty or note to the world that didn’t exist the day before. I revel in the autonomy that allows me (along with the creative energy of the universe) to birth these artistic “beings” that now exist on their own terms, with the possibility of providing joy, pain, inquisition, anger, wonder or laughter to those that encounter and experience it

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

My art is my opportunity to leave a legacy for the world to experience for years and years to come. It’s a chance to make an impact on future generations, possibly affect the culture, and even transform lives in immeasurable ways that may not be immediately evident. With each successive creation that emanates from within, it ignites my passion to use my gift in ways that challenge my best work, always striving to elevate my craft to the next level.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artbyjstacey.com
• Instagram: @artbyjstacey
• Facebook: @johnstaceygray Son
• Twitter: @jstaceygrayson
• Yelp: artbyjstacey
• Other: TikTok: artbyjstacey