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

Alright, Jared thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve always had a creative base. I grew up in a house where my mom was constantly creating. A lot of it was taking dilapidated furniture and refurbishing these pieces and selling them in antique malls in California’s Central Valley and Central Coast. I’ve always been grateful to have half of her creative brain.

Fast forward to my late 20’s. I doodled often, painted my friends surfboards and skateboards, but never really sold anything. One of my best friends was releasing an album. He wanted me to make the cover art for it. He told me that he wouldn’t release the album unless I do it. I was intimidated, but he pushed me to do that and pushed me to market my art. After I made that shift in my brain to be a professional creative, I never looked back.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a painter, muralist, illustrator and graphic designer. I’ve collaborated with brands like SandCloud Beach Towels, Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, and Bloomingdales to name a few. My artwork is best recognized by bright colors, precise line work framed by inky symbols and silhouettes.

When creating for myself, my work is of sea creatures and the tale of Sirens, the stories of beautiful creatures that would lure sailors to an untimely demise over shallow reefs or rough waters with their beautiful song. It’s much like the surface of the ocean. It’s shimmering and draws you in, but will end you if you’re held under. I love that danger in beauty.

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

Society can best support artists by going to their shows and bringing their friends. We live in a digital age where it costs absolutely nothing to re-post and re-share the work of their artist friends. Most small businesses get their work out the fastest by word of mouth. Social media is the easiest way to tap someone on the shoulders and say, “This is awesome. Check this out.” Social media algorithms can be obstacles for artists and micro businesses. Resharing work is free and a great way of spreading the word!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of my job is seeing the look on a client’s face when they receive a commissioned piece. The look of excitement and awe is always inspiring to me to keep going, to keep creating. They don’t know the journey, the moments of doubt or the struggle with the creative process that happen while creating that piece. They just know that they have something special and unique to them that tells their story.

Contact Info:

• Website: jaredblacklazer.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/jaredblacklazer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onwardstudio
• Other: tiktok@jaredblacklazer