We recently connected with Jamie Baesa and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jamie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
Recently, I had the opportunity to create a sign for a local university’s food insecurity program. The program manager wanted to make sure that as students walked to the on-campus food pantry, they felt welcomed, seen, and unashamed. She wanted to make sure that the sign was inclusive, as many students who utilize the services are from diverse backgrounds. Food can be both welcoming or alienating, so the goal was to make sure that each individual felt embraced in their unique cultures. My design business’s motto is “know value, bestow value” – my mission is to make sure each individual knows their full self-worth, and from that place, be able to share that with others. This project aligned perfectly with my vision of creating meaning and value in a community. I hope that through my painting, students are made more aware of their inherent value and the gifts they bring to the table.
Jamie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Everything I create stems out of my own story of discovering my value and identity. Often, the pressure and feelings of inadequacy do not come from outside influences, but from our own thoughts and doubts. As an Enneagram 1 (The Perfectionist), I grew up struggling with never feeling good enough, or doing enough to please the people around me. It wasn’t until I fully grasped the grace of God that I was able to live a free, joyful life, knowing deeply my true value. From that place, I knew I had to share this encouragement with others. I believe that artwork is a powerful tool that can be to spread this message of positivity. I am an educator by day and an artist by night, but I find these two things often intertwining, as I use my artwork to educate people not only on their self-worth, but also the value of different businesses, communities, and cultures.
My artwork spans many mediums, including acrylic, watercolor, digital, and mural installations. Whether I am creating a single sticker or a massive sign, I seek to make spaces more beautiful and meaningful with the messages I portray. I often look to food and my Asian background for inspiration. My hope is that whatever I design or create, individuals will be reminded of their true value, and then become a vessel that carries that message forward to their spheres of influence. Through art, I hope to create a platform for every person to share the words, experiences, and stories that have been a part of their journeys in order to strengthen others.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
People talk about shopping small all the time, but I believe it’s more than just where the dollars go. The intention behind investing in certain things is just as critical. While buying from an artist or creative one time is helpful, creating an ongoing connection and relationship is even more powerful. Artists need not only money to survive, but also support, encouragement, and purpose. This can be found in an individual, business, and community level. I have made really meaningful relationships with people who have never been in a place to financially invest in my business, but take the time to give me feedback, share my work, and tell me how meaningful my story is to them. At the end of the day, I don’t remember events or projects solely because of the products or profit I make, but because of the people I meet. To foster a thriving creative ecosystem, we need society to show up. If individuals in our community would take the time to get to know our creative journeys, our stories, and our products, eventually the support and money would also flow. I also firmly believe in the mindset of “community over competition.” I have learned SO much from other creatives in my community, and have found that when everyone is willing to share, we all do so much better.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is discovering the lasting impact my work can have. For me, a project or product takes a set amount of time, whether it’s a few hours to a few months. Once I finish, it’s pretty easy for me to move on to the next thing and shelve that moment away in my past. However, sometimes I hear from others who have had a lasting impression from something I created or did, and that feels like the greatest gift of all. For example, I painted a journal for a woman who told me that she was going to use it for her daughter’s wedding guest book. Another journal I painted was purchased by a daughter for her mother who had been diagnosed with cancer. A couple informed me that my coloring book helped them pick what to do for their date nights each week. When I consider my artwork being a part of the big and small milestones of people’s lives, I am truly humbled and grateful. I could not imagine a more rewarding aspect of creating things than to share them as a blessing with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.designswithjamie.com
- Instagram: @designswithjamie
- Facebook: facebook.com/DesignsWithJamie