We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jalen Law. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jalen below.

Jalen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Growing up, my parents instilled in me a profound sense of resilience and self-discovery, laying the foundation for both my life and artistic journey. Their approach was rooted in allowing me the space to fail, a philosophical idea that has significantly shaped my perspective as an artist.

Failure was never seen as a dead-end but rather as a stepping stone towards growth and progression. My father gave me a rule: “You have 24 hours to be upset, sad, and angry, but after 24 hours, it’s time to move forward.” Once the fog of sadness and frustration cleared, mistakes were embraced as opportunities to learn, adapt, and evolve.

This foundation had a profound impact on my artistic and entrepreneurial endeavors. When I decided to build a sustainable business around my artistic pursuits, selling my artwork at artist vendor events, I didn’t know who my market was. In the third vendor event I participated in, I failed to sell any of my artwork. My parents observed that moment of failure. Instead of sulking over the imperfect outcome, they encouraged me to be more clear and intentional in finding and interacting with my audience.

This experience taught me that failure is a crucial aspect of the artistic journey. It allowed me to push my boundaries, embrace imperfection, and utilize the information from all wins and losses to create the outcomes I was seeking. As an artist, this philosophy of allowing myself to fail has been liberating. It opened the door to a creative process untethered by the fear of judgment or perfection. It allowed me to explore unconventional ideas, make bold choices, and learn from each artistic experiment, whether it resulted in success or not.

My parents’ wisdom in allowing me to fail sculpted not just an artist but an individual who embraces the unknown and understands that every stroke of the brush, even the imperfect ones, contributes to the masterpiece of a fulfilling and authentic life.

Jalen, 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?

I am Jalen Law, a Buffalo-based artist, art educator, and entrepreneur dedicated to supporting emerging artists and youth in our regional arts communities. Art has been my passion since I was four years old, and I primarily work in drawing and painting, often integrating technology and digital arts into my pieces to create powerful images that address uncomfortable issues. In my artist statement, I emphasize drawing viewers in, encouraging thought without allowing discomfort to deflect or turn away.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The awareness of the finite resource of time bolsters my purpose of assessing the impact I can create through my creative pursuits. From a tender age of 3 or 4, I have always had an innate understanding that life is not promised. This drives me to be as clear and intentional as possible in my thoughts and actions as I seek to maximize my creative potential, whether through a paintbrush to canvas, a spray paint bottle to a wallspace, or educating youth in the classroom.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2018, I made the decision to focus on my art business full-time. As my business gained momentum and made significant strides, the state shutdown in 2020 resulted in the loss of over 90% of my current and future contracts. Despite this setback, I utilized the two-year period to develop an educational program called the Emotional Intelligence Program. This program is designed to work with students aged 6 to 20, using art, music, and writing to help them develop their social-emotional skill sets through creative strategies.

Rather than seeing the situation as the end of my business, I chose to redirect my focus and channel my mental and emotional energy into creatively expanding my skill sets and providing virtual programming. I decided to further my education by acquiring certifications in Psychological First Aid and Trauma-Informed Care, enabling me to offer support to students in need. This led to my first opportunities to teach programming virtually on a national and international level, partnering with various organizations.

Additionally, I took this opportunity to test my skills in the public art industry by taking on a series of mural projects, which significantly sustained my business during this challenging time. One of my most recent projects was in collaboration with the town of Amherst (NY), where I created a 1500 sq. ft. mural aimed at inspiring the next generation of children to define their dreams. The mural also integrated an immersive Augmented Reality (AR) experience, adding a unique dimension to the artwork.

Overall, these experiences have shaped me into a muralist with a passion for combining art, education, and technology to create meaningful and impactful projects.

Emotional Intelligence Program:
https://thejalenlawcollection.com/emotional-intelligence-program

The Future is Amherst Mural:
https://thejalenlawcollection.com/journal/the-future-is-amherst
https://thejalenlawcollection.com/journal/new-mural-revealed-at-amherst-police-training-facility

Contact Info:

• Website: TheJalenLawCollection.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalenlaw_art/
• Facebook: fb.me/TheJalenLawCollection
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jalenlaw/
• Other: https://thejalenlawcollection.com/emotional-intelligence-program https://thejalenlawcollection.com/murals