We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jade Aurora. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jade below.
Jade , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
“Motor City Witches” has been my most meaningful project to date, because of my need for more Black representation in the fantasy genre. I wanted to created a story for us, and to empower Black women and those in the LGBTQ community to embrace themselves and to embrace and own their power.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a freelance illustrator, painter, and artist. I am the owner of RoxyJo Creations, and the author of the “Motor City Witches” book series. I am also a burlesque performer and pinup model.
With RoxyJo Creations, I create digital and traditional illustrations, canvas paintings, and resin crafts.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A huge lesson that I had to unlearn was to stop seeking other people’s approval for how I live my life. I believe my need for acceptance stemmed from my adolescence. I was somewhat of an outcast, and often kept to myself, which made me an easy target for bullies. I wanted to fit in, so that my peers no longer had a reason to ridicule me. Unfortunately this carried into my early adulthood, especially when I started my modeling career. Whenever someone criticized my decision to pose in lingerie or in the nude, I would take it as a rejection of me as a person. However, as my self confidence increased, I eventually stopped caring what others thought of me. I had to ask myself “Whose happiness is more important: theirs of mine?”
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Society should respect creatives more, and the time and effort that goes into what we do. We do more than just draw pretty pictures. We are taking pieces of ourselves and bringing them to life.
Too often I see people wanting our time and labor, yet they don’t want to compensate us. And when we charge for our services, we get told to “get a real job”. Art IS a real job, and we have bills to pay just like someone who works a 9-5. I think that if people stopped acting entitled to free labor, society would be so much better for creatives. 
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoxyJoCreations
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JadeAurora1989
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JadeAurora1989
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/JadeAurora1989
Image Credits
Personal Photo: Malkiyah Photos Artwork: Jade Aurora