We recently connected with Jantzen Peake and have shared our conversation below.

Jantzen , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

When I was in middle school I was taken out of class because of my learning disability and placed in room with a single block of clay. I wasn’t told what to do with the clay so just started sculpting things like dinosaurs, hamster cages and more. This was the time when I discovered the freedom of art and how accepting it makes my feel. Something I never felt in public schooling. This was a way I connected with my peers and how I best processed information.

Jantzen , 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?

I first got into the gallery scene exhibiting my artwork in Los Angeles California in the Hive Gallery. My work sold for the first time opening night. Soon after I eventually got an opportunity to set up an art booth at a local art festival in my hometown of Redondo Beach California through a friends families business. Fresh out of college I primarily had student work to sell in my booth for the fair. This was such a fun experience, selling my artwork and engaging with community. Just before the setting sun a man approached my booth with dark sunglasses and sleeved tattoos asking me how much a particular piece was I was selling. As I approached him I realize it was Chester Bennington, former lead singer of Linkin Park. I was star struck and shocked he entrusted my work. After he walked away with the piece he purchased I told myself this is the path I want to pursue. I enjoy painting, Illustration, digital art, murals, teaching art and Curating art in my gallery space, the Peake Gallery inside the Perk Downtown, 14 S Tejon St., CO. Springs. What I believe sets me apart from other artists is my stylistic approach. I am known for my vibrant colors and subject matter. I enjoy pulling themes from classic cartoons, like Ren and Stempy, graffiti, movies and the surf and skate culture I grew up with twisting into the visual art I create. Some of my most proud of moments in my career was starting as a student and becoming a leader in teaching the arts at the Fine Arts Centers, Bemis School of Art. I am able to give back to the community the many skills I have picked up along the way. I enjoy teaching young students the fundamental skills in drawing, Acrylics, Sculpting and more in a fun and engaging way to show how the arts can be a form of therapy and visual expression, a voice in this crazy world.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I am an Art Advocate and I know the value art contributes to societies. Art surrounds us daily wether we know it or not. I have been an Art Curator in my art space, the Peake gallery now for over six consecutive years located inside the Perk Downtown in Downtown Colorado Springs. It has been a great way to support the arts, mentor young artists and give them a platform to grow and be successful. It is very difficult to be a full time artist, especially here in Colorado Springs. Art is looked at as not important in most public schools, first to be cut from schools budgets, etc. So young kids already grow up being told art is not important and you can’t do it for a living at a very early age. We need to as an ecosystem educate and stimulate the youth on the importance and love of different types of arts, and the variety of professions artists can thrive in.

The cost of living is skyrocketing in Colorado, their needs to be affordable living for artists to keep them in our community. To show that they are valued and supported so that our communities can thrive to be a creative ecosystem vibrant and inspiring. Let’s keep art, a part of culture.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love being an artist full time. I have done the 9 to 5 for most of my life. Trying to climb the corporate ladder to simply be paid a minimum wage. Something maybe a college student could life off of. Nowadays people work multiple jobs just to make rent. I never wanted to live a life overworked by others goals and intentions. I create my own schedule. I’m the boss, and the leader. I learn more about myself, and my goals and aspirations by being a full time artist. I am a better person because of the path I chose for myself. Seeing the patrons face light up when they see my work like I reminded them of a time in life when they were free to be creative. I love when I have the opportunity to give back to the community and youth by teaching creative skills they can carry with them through this crazy life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/JantzenPeake
• Facebook: Www.facebook.com/PeakeGraffix
• Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/JantzenPeake
• PATREON: patreon.com/user?u=5751311