We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jade Dyamond a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jade, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
After earning my degree, I entered the construction field. I began working my big girl job but I often found myself returning home and engaging in uneventful repetitive routines similar to many adults I observed growing up. I realized it was up to me to choose how I spent my leisure time without the club activities and campus events that were always available to me in college. I had to choose if I wanted to continue this cycle or feel more fulfilled.
Encouraged by my significant other, I rediscovered my passion for art. In 2019, I applied to the RAW Art Showcase and received an invitation to exhibit. Additionally, I was approached by Conception Arts. During this period, I enjoyed painting Marvel characters and whatever else inspired me.
Since then, I’ve embraced the role of a part-time artist. I have grown substantially from the beginning — my subjects and my messages in my artwork have evolved as I’ve grown as a person and as an artist. I have continued to challenge myself by enrolling in an art academy part time, attending workshops, and networking with artists, curators, and other creatives.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am an oil painter based in South Florida. My artwork emphasizes the strength, emotion, and the beauty of life, as well as incorporating elements of nature. My creative freedom is important to my workflow— most specifically, not conforming to a specific style, but emulating a sense of feeling. I enjoy the manipulation of color and light, drawing inspiration from impressionism and luminism. The environment serves as my inspiration. I hope for my work to advance through the mind and appeal to many senses at once.
I hope that my pieces resonate with others and speaks to their hearts as they do to mine. I hope my journey will inspire others to pursue dreams or hobbies they have always had. I want others to know it is possible to live a fulfilled life outside of a 40-hour work week.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Resources I wish I knew about earlier in my journey are:
Creating a routine, and scheduling my day out by time blocking.
Take art (your discipline of choice) workshops. Workshops can be found local, national and international. Recently I took a workshop in Italy with “Art Escape Italy”. It was life changing. Workshops allow you to study underneath an instructor/artist you admire, develop your skills, hyperfocus, and learn from/create relationships from your peers as well.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Books:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Artist Way by Julia Cameron
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
Steal like an Artist by Austin Klein
Color and Light by James Gurney
The Art of Creative Thinking by Rod Judkins
How to be an Artist by Jerry Saltz
Creative Authencity by Ian Roberts
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Mastering Composition by Ian Roberts
The Complete Smartist Guide by Ekaterina Popova and Alicia Puig
Beautifully animated movies:
Loving Vincent – movie depicted in oil paint animation in the famous Van Gogh’s style.
Studio Ghibli Movies (My favorite Howl’s Moving Castle)
Into the Spider Verse
Across the Spider Verse
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jadedyamond.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadedyamond/
Image Credits
Alisha Cox Photo, Art Escape Italy