Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jamie Zerr-Lockwood. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jamie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had started sooner?

If I could go back in time, I would have started my art journey right out of high school instead of finding a full-time job right away. I look back at my life and always ask myself that question as I’m sure most artists do. The thing that always held me back was being told that being an artist isn’t a real job. True, I would have struggled at first but don’t we all? Another thing that held me back was the idea of not being good enough. I started later in life without the expectation of making a living from my art and without caring if I am good enough. I try to stress to younger people I meet today never to compare yourself to other artists and yes, art is a real job. I wish when I was younger that someone would have given me that advice.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started in acrylics like a lot of artists because it was safe and less scary but mostly cheap. Because I started my art journey later in life, I feel that I always need to explore different mediums. My passion at the moment is oil painting. I have been painting with oils for about 7 years. My subject matter is usually nature based and intwined with my imagination. I like to pair up plants and animals with portraits of made-up people. I don’t like to restrict myself to much, but I do find myself always painting the four F’s, Faces, Feathers, Fur or Feathers. When I decided to dive into the artworld, I found myself very lost and confused. My husband and I had two little ones at home not a penny to spare. It was cheaper for me to stay at home with the kids instead of paying for daycare. Thats when I decided to pick up the paints and do something that I always loved. I had no idea where to start so I submerged myself into volunteering with art programs so I could meet fellow artist so maybe I could get some advice. After many years of volunteering and stumbling in the art world I decided that I wanted to help other inspiring artists avoid the hang ups I encountered trying to navigate the artist life.
In addition to volunteering still today in many Art committees, councils and commissions, I decided to start a non-profit art organization called Corridor Creative Arts League. This is an artist run group that helps artist at any stage, both professional and amateur, both young and old work to help each other reach our goals and potential. Artist run workshops; artists learn from workshops. I now live in a town where art is scarce, a rural community in Eastern Colorado. My hopes are that this group can help grow the artist community and recognition of the arts where it is so desperately needed.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Something Non-creatives should understand is art is a job. Please don’t discourage the youth by saying that is anything less.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

One of the highlights of being an artist is seeing the expression on a person’s face when they connect with your art. I can tell the moment when the viewer creates a story in their head that fits with a particular piece, and I love it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.JZLockwood.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corridorcreativeartsleague
• Other: Valkarie Gallery www.valkariefineart.com

Image Credits
Carl Steitz Natalie Beck