We recently connected with Jacqueline Gray and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jacqueline thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
I have been a creative person since I can remember my uncle drawing and me sitting asking how he drew such amazing things. He said if I could draw a straight line without a ruler I could draw anything. As i practiced daily drawing that line, I was determined to conquer that task. I did. An artist was born at the age of 2!
I went on to draw throughout elementary school winning awards and having my work displayed at the televised School Board meetings to the Governors mansion in Middle School, and winning many art competitions in High School which lead to a College Art Scholarship. I earned my BFA from The University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
I did not enter my creative field until years later as I worked part time only for my church as I trained other men to do the creative job I was desperately trying to earn. I was asked to design things for both campuses as my work looked better than those hired and paid far more than I. it was very disappointing.
I worked for a car rental company, cell phone companies in sales as I have the gift of gab and love people. I also breifly taught High School Art.
I finally decided to pursue a career in art again. I moved back home and refused to take any other job besides an artistic path. My uncle supported me but encouraged me to just take a job to have money. I said, i can’t get stuck building someone else’s dream again. I had to take this chance to really use my gift. I looked for creative opportunities and applied to teach painting classes at Painting and Pinot. I interviewed at Violet Trembley’s home and got the job! I became a beloved instructor and often requested. This was part time but it sparked my love of teaching again! I had taught art in college to campers at Camp Marydale and applied to teach in elementary school art. I interviewed and got the part time position. I loved my time there but it came with it’s challenges. A new Charter school had a position and I was referred by a co worker and amazingly enough, Violet! She had hosted a paint party with the Admin of the school and they mentioned they needed an art teacher and Violet recommended me.
My co worker said, this is your job! I applied and was offered a full time position. The school I currently worked under, lost the funding that allowed for my position so the timing was perfect, I started teaching K-8 Art and became an award winning art Teacher and Content leader teaching other Art Teachers! I was introduced to face painting during my time teaching. I learned about the paints and process through online social media and practiced for our school events which was what I was asked to do. My co workers started hiring me and parents for their events. I met other entertainers through those events and my worked for them face painting. I received so many glowing compliments and the word of mouth grew. Fast forward to my Art teacher position. It is difficult to be hired as an art teacher as the arts are often optional in many schools and the first to be cut. I had to take a medical leave after working 9 years without taking much time off and my Principal decided to cut the Art Teacher position and quit the organization that guaranteed our enrichment would not be cut. to this day, we are baffled how she was able to cut my position. She quit and took another job within a month of that decision but it was done.
I was lost but I had face painting! I decided to take the leap of faith and pursue it full time… but I still taught at a small school but it was working 7 days a week sometimes because face painting was so in demand.
I finally took the risk and I am pursuing my creative artistic journey full time. I started my LLC and officially am Shades of Gray Art LLC. I have always done painting and drawing even murals in private homes. Now, it’s a new season of unlimited possibilities as this venture is growing. I have attended conferences online and in person and found so many artists thriving in their arts businesses. I have mentors that are amazingly kind and world famous! I have so much more to learn and a ways to grow.
My business is still growing and I am learning to market, do social media, learn methods to be searchable and all the while learning to have faith in my art and it’s possibilities to generate my full time income,
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am Jackie Gray. Artist. teacher. Face painter. ( I wrote a great deal in the previous answer as well) I am talented, a fun person to be around, a natural teacher and great listener along side my artistic ability I can entertain and engage all my clients. My love of face painting started with a statement… “Hey, Miss Gray, you will be doing the Face painting for field day.”
Me: okayyyy.
I learned quickly about Face Painting through Youtube and social media because that is what teachers do! We plan and research our lessons to give our students the right knowledge and best we can. The kids faces would light up and so did my heart! I was asked by my co workers and parents to come to their events to face paint! I met wonderful face painters and entertainers who did this full time! I was still a teacher so I worked weekends. I was surprised to learn of so many artists who did this full time along with other artistic services.
I have been a visual artist all my life and I have done portraits, murals, drawings, paintings, and more. As am art teacher, I taught every grade, therefore every child in the school, every class. I have gained classroom management and parent engagement skills and taught them to other art teachers. my skills transferred to face painting as it comes natural to engage children and help the parents be at ease with a trained professional. As a teacher, you often feel as if your skills are limited, but they have proved to be so valuable in my business.
I offer a unique experience and exceptional talent to my face painting services. A client dubbed me, “Not your average Face Painter”. Clients are often in awe of the skills I bring to face painting and compliment my work often. I am blessed to use my gift to bring the smiles of pure joy to kids of all ages. Being appreciated for the work you do is something that makes anyone work harder with delight.
I can often easily navigate a crowd and calm a child with my teaching background in place. I think that sets me apart from others along with my artistic skills. I recently received appreciation from a father who thanked the organizers for hiring someone with actual talent to paint. I do take this very seriously as this profession does require knowledge and training on what to use on skin and how to apply it in an aesthetically pleasing way.
What I am most proud of is my faith in my gift and the courage to pursue it. I have known who I am as an artist and knew this gift would make room for me. I also love people and people seem to be comfortable around me. I always knew I was talented and worked hard to grow this gift and as a teacher, I instilled that in my students and they gave that confidence back to me in their growth and achievements. I am grateful that I have had the courage to pursue it and make it the center of my life because it brings me joy and I can share it with others.
When I worked for a major phone carrier, I told a customer, they don’t exist, only the person they hired to represent them and give you the service they offer in a human to human interaction. The interaction I gave them, made them come back to see me. This is what I know to be true about a brand, it is your interaction with me and my service experience that will make you refer me to your family and friends and trust me to bring my talents to make your event even better than you imagined. It is the greatest compliment to be referred and hear you where the best part of the event!
I want potential clients to know I have studied not only in school but through online schools and in person conferences to grow my knowledge and skills. As a former educator, I know continued learning is essential to success. I am engaging and fun! I love to interview my little ones and get to know them while they are in my chair. I was told by a child, the other face painter doesn’t talk to us! I was shocked! As a teacher, I know, everyone wants to be heard! And I love their personalities and stories! I think that is one of my favorite parts of this business.
I use the best quality and professionals paints and materials provided by industry standards. I have done influencer brand deals and have some in the works. I want my clients to be educated on face painting and hiring someone who has the professional training to bring you the best and help understand the value of what My business offers.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The goal that drives my mission in my creative journey is the one inherited by birth. I am an African American woman in America. I am a first generation College Graduate. Many firsts are still happening in our world due to our past history of racism. I have faced many obstacles and just pure stereotypes of what and who am supposed to be in this society as a woman and as an artist. In college, I was intrigued to learn of the female artists who were allowed a place in history and even more intrigued to learn of the African Americans who were often denied a place in the arts world. As a teacher, I have taught children who look like me and they confide in me the struggles they face and the things they have been told to believe about who they are and even where they come from.
Art is an amazing method to show a vision of the world some may not otherwise see unless YOY create it to be seen. I used to tell my students, welcome to art class where today YOU will create something th world has NEVER seen before because there is only ONE you and only YOU can create it!
I get to do this with my life and art. I come from a legacy of people who have fought for me to have this opportunity to be here today with the rights they died for me to have. I get to pursue my ancestors wildest dreams. My creative journey is driven by my gift and paving the way for more women to become entrepreneur and pursue their artistic dreams.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is the impact I have on people. As an artist, I get to create things the world has never seen because it comes from me and the talent in my hands. I have the power to bring joy and shift the energy of a person or event. I still amazes me how popoular face painting is and how powerful it can be! I have had the longest lines at events and people waiting hours for my work, then hearing, wow, that was worth the wait! Seeing those kids light up when they see their face paint is my absolute favorite moments! Seeing that joy that your art brought and hearing the compliments is the best feeling that lets e know I am right where I am suppose to be. Giving someone a portrait is an incredible reward to know my work will hang somewhere and be passed down like the great portraits we view as witness to how our ancestors looked. Art is so powerful and a part of the history of the world. Being an artist is one of the greatest professions that society has always sought out to be a part of history. I am beyond in awe that this is MY gift and legacy.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.shadesofgrayartllc.com/
- Instagram: @shadesofgrayart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allaboutthatfacepainting/
- Linkedin: Jacqueline Gray
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shadesofgrayartllc
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/allaboutthatfacepainting/ https://www.facebook.com/shadesofmsgrayart
Image Credits
Jackie Gray