Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jaelyn Clay. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jaelyn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?
Thinking back to the moments when I was working two jobs at a time I always had so many ideas for my business. But it seemed like never enough time to execute them. All of my time and energy was used working jobs for someone else’s businesses. I used to think I could tackle all three but overtime I quickly saw how I would always end up neglecting my business. My biggest lesson learned from this was to put myself first and not feel bad for doing so. Quitting these jobs and focusing on my business full time was a big risk to take. But without risk there is no reward. I will say when you jump out there and do it you will receive an even bigger reward than you are expecting.
All I kept thinking about when I was working was how the very big companies I was working for started out with nothing but hope and a plan just like me. So why not execute it all the way through with my business too?
Jaelyn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hi, my name is Jaelyn Clay. I am a visual artist/entrepreneur. I was born and raised in Southeast, Washington, DC. I always loved art, I was coloring ever since I could pick up a crayon.
Art has always been apart of me. I knew that I really wanted to pursue a career in art once I was accepted into high school at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, in the visual arts department. This is where I began to learn the different techniques and logistics of becoming an artist. My teachers would always tell me I have an “eye for design” because I would often create colorful abstract paintings that leave the viewers eyes wondering around the entire canvas.
After graduating high school, I was accepted into the School of the Arts program at VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University). Here is where I earned my Bachelors of Fine Arts degree. While in college, being exposed to different artists that come from different cultures and backgrounds definitely helped open my eyes to the type of art I wanted to create. I knew that I wanted to create Art that made me and others feel something. My favorite medium to use while creating is paint. I love how it allows me the freedom to add “my touch” on pretty much anything.
This leads me to everything I create and sale in my business. I design custom shoes, hats, belts, clothing, really anything that can hold paint. I create murals on doors in homes and garage doors inside/outside. I even work on tiny canvases like my custom press-on nail sets that I sale on my Etsy shop.
The best feeling is seeing the outcome of the finished pieces and satisfying my customers/supporters.
Doing what I absolutely love for a living has to be one of the most fulfilling jobs I have ever worked in my life. It will always be fun and rewarding. I hardly ever feel like I’m really “working”. I am just an artsy girl living in and creating her own dream world.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Yes, so by the end of high school, I knew that I wanted to pursue art further in college. During this time (2013), Art was not really looked at as having a “real job” or a career to take serious and pursue so I knew that majoring in it in school would be a risk in itself. But because art is truly my passion, it was a risk that I was willing to take. Fast forwarding to my last year in college (2018), I was introduced to “Art Therapy”. I liked the idea of using art to help heal others so I saw it as a “win win” for me at the time and wanted to continue my education. I applied and was accepted into George Washington University’s MA Art Therapy Program for the following fall. This was super exciting news for me and I was eager to start.
When going through the first semester, I realized that Art was more so used as a tool in the therapy sessions and that we were being trained to become licensed therapist. That was the main focus.
I quickly had to think about my life and the direction it was going in versus the direction I genuinely was happy with. Choosing Art Therapy would have me set financially right after school. This is what made my decision so tough because the money would be good but I genuinely wouldn’t like waking up to do my job everyday. I ended up going with the hard choice, which was choosing myself, my happiness. Back then somehow I knew things would work out in my favor. Putting myself first in this situation was extremely tough in the moment but looking back I would say it was one of the best decisions I have made for myself.
After telling my professors that I will not be returning I Immediately gave myself a break from school and started focusing on my art business and creating my brand [@jaelasoull]. I blocked out all of the doubt, fear, and negativity and continued to create as much as I could not worrying about the financial rewards of creating it. I created more art that reflected who I am as a person, person of color in America, and just art that’s therapeutic and healing for me.
While creating, I always make sure to document my work and upload it into all of my social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook) so that I am promoting my brand as much as possible. Doing this consistently over the years is what led me to gaining my large following of supporters on TikTok (40k+).
During this time, the BLM movement was very prevalent. I recorded myself painting a mural on my bedroom wall that read “Black Lives Matter” in the same font that was used in the title of the show “Powerpuff Girls”. Under the words I drew all three of the “Powerpuff Girls” but made all of their skin tones brown. This video of me painting went viral and was controversial to some because I changed the narrative by changing the skin color.
Overall, not only did this art piece/video allow me to show case my art to the world but it also allowed me to gain many supporters that continue to follow and support my art journey and business to this day. I gained 20k followers from this video alone. This surprised me so much! I am forever grateful for my supporters and to God. I want to wrap this up by saying that again, I am so happy and proud of myself for taking that leap of faith right after college and most importantly for never giving up on myself and continuing to choose myself throughout my journey in life so far. I am now starting to see the fruits of my labor paying off as I continue to create and strive with my business and platform.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an Artist and creative would be the even exchange of good energy I receive from my admirers and genuine supporters of my art and brand [@jaelasoull]. When creating, whether it be producing paintings, designing custom shoes and clothing or creating custom press-on nail sets I dedicate so much time, effort, good energy and love into each piece. When someone reaches out to support my business I feel fulfillment inside knowing that my talent/work is being recognized and appreciated. Seeing how my work I have created so far has helped and touched others is a reward for me in itself. Each Art piece I create are very dear to me and hold a special place in my heart so I always find it satisfying when they find “new homes”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JaeLaSoull
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jaelasoull?igshid=eDF0MWUxenYwb3do&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaelyn.clay.5?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: TikTok: @jaelasoull
Image Credits
Jaelyn Clay