We were lucky to catch up with Jamie Gray recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jamie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I’d describe myself (and how I learned my craft) as a combination of tangentially trained and self-taught. By tangentially trained I mean I’m a practicing artist but with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in design. This academic background, especially my rigorous and traditional undergraduate graphic design program, is very informative to my art practice (I’m constantly using design principles like abstraction, balance, contrast, proportion, and rhythm). By self-taught I mean most of the tools and materials I use in my art are things that I have picked up out of curiosity and without any formal school training. But I think not knowing the “correct” techniques has often led me to novel results.
Jamie, 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’m a mixed media artist living and working in Denver, CO. I’d describe my current practice as combining abstraction and soft minimalism with nature-inspired motifs and a dedication to hand-crafted processes. I exhibit in galleries, sell my work online, and take commissions for commercial and residential projects. My latest body of work features organic modern wall sculptures made of hand-carved wax on reclaimed wood.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn that you have to have a degree in the thing you practice, and likewise that you have to practice the thing you have a degree in. I’m a former teacher with several design degrees so I obviously value academic training. But I believe degrees in many creative fields are rather transferable, especially for the highly motivated and self-employed. However, a downside to a mismatch in degree and practice can lead one to feel imposter syndrome. It has taken me years to confidently call myself an Artist. And I have occasionally encountered biases from the fine art world towards design.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I never “had” to pivot but I did very consciously “choose” to pivot many times. After graduating I split my time between being a freelance graphic designer and an abstract painter, even having a few successful solo art shows. But I decided to get a master’s degree so I could teach, which I then did as an assistant professor of design for several years. However, that career path did not suit me and the realization coincided with a move to London (for my husband’s job). There I started visual merchandising and product photography. I fell in with the vibrant craft market scene and decided to start my own jewelry brand. I had some modest success stocking jewelry collections in museum shops but once again I pivoted (or rather “I came full circle”) with a return to art making and a move back to the States. This repeated act of restarting might mean I’ve not advanced as far as I probably could have in any one of those career paths. However, all of the different working experiences do add up to a very interesting creative life, and one that has made me the artist I am today!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://jamiegrayartist.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grayjaystudio/