We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jasmine Bruce a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jasmine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

For awhile I resisted the dream that I could make art my career. I worked SEVERAL “regular” jobs and tried to “fit in” yet always left feeling unhappy. I was clouded by preconceived ideas injected by society that creativity isn’t a job, its a hobby blah blah blah. I became anxious, sad, depressed, all of which were emotions trying to tell me to move, take a risk, do something different. At my core I couldn’t believe I had this gift that would go unused and my resistance to the system grew greater than my submission. This provided me space to open my eyes and ask questions like “Is this really how life is suppose to be? What happens if I choose myself?

Over the course of a few years I tried something different, I took a risk. I put myself and my work out there, trusting the gift I was given and grew confident in my craft. I looked fear in the face and made it my friend and with time fear alchemized into happiness and success. I had several internal double-take moments astonished that my dream was becoming a reality. Every time I chose to trust in my gift, I chose to honor who I am: being an artist is who I am. Serving the community with my artwork is one thing that truly nourishes my soul. I couldn’t physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually continue under the status quo because that would be sacrificing who I am. I’ve learned that if it’s not aligning, you’re not shining and you become captive to systems that draw on your energy instead of allowing it to grow. When we choose to honor our core we choose ourselves, I would take this risk over and over again.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hey y’all, my name is Jasmine Bruce and I’m a muralist, painter and designer whose work emphasizes the healing power of creating. I’m currently based in Grand Rapids, Michigan where I obtained my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from Grand Valley State University. I’m known for my large scale public art, role as an activist and arts advocate within my community. I’ve been awarded Grand Rapids Business Journal Newsmaker of the Arts and 40 under 40 honoree. My versatile and powerful style chronicles untold stories rooted in African diaspora, feminine divinity, conscious awareness and mental health. The core of my work aims to re-member the divine being within all by drawing out pain and restoring balance and connection with the inner, outer and higher self.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Healing! It’s something we all need and this is my calling within the work I do. When I’m creating I’m diving into the depths of my soul to understand where I have trauma and energy blocked. In order to release these blockages one must see them, name them, understand their roots, and provide the nourishment needed to release. By sharing these mementos from my rabbit hole I hope to create space for others to connect and dive into the depths of themselves. When we collectively nourish and provide love to the parts of ourselves that are disconnected we are serving a greater purpose to create a more balanced and healthy world full of love.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

For society: advocate for us just like every other professional out there! I’ve seen and experienced, more times than I can count, businesses and people that don’t want to pay for artwork or pay extremely low and it blows my mind every time. Exposure doesn’t pay our bills, free tickets/product doesn’t pay our bills and it’s incredibly disrespectful to expect otherwise.

For artists: know your worth, live it and breath into it with confidence and also advocate for other artists! Join an artist group, share your rates, ask questions and be open to exchanging wisdom. We have to stick together and stand up for each other.    

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jasminebruce.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jasminebruceart
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jasminebruceart
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-bruce/
• Email: hello@jasminebruce.com