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

Jayde, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I have worked on is my latest body of work that I created for an exhibition at the Morean Arts Center in St. Petersburg, Florida. This body of work was a culmination of the past 6 years of both creative and personal exploration and experimentation. I had gone through several life changes during this time, including ending a long- term relationship, moving to another state for a residency, and eventually living on my own. Being on my own had given me a lot of time to reflect on what kind of art I wanted to make and what I wanted my work to say. I expanded my work from solely paintings to sculpture and collage, and even mixing all 3 in certain pieces.

I had so much time to just think about my work in its’ entirety – the shapes, the colors, the materials, the forms. I became obsessed with trying almost anything and I actually enjoyed playing with all those elements in the process of finding myself in these works.

I am grateful for this time, as it has allowed me to be alone with myself and with my art, and it was during this time that I truly found my style, my purpose, and meaning within my artwork.

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

I went to school for art and graduated with my BFA in Studio Art in 2016. I took classes in a variety of subjects – art history, photography, drawing, painting, and ceramics to name a few. Those are the main ones I would say shaped my practice today. In 2018 I got a full-time job in a library that had a “makerspace” – a space where the public can access various materials for making. This library had a woodshop and that gave me easier access to equipment and wood, which helped shape my 3-D art practice today.

My current work is a blend of mixed-media collages, paintings, and wooden sculpture. I am inspired by textiles and patterns from cultures around the world, and I will use a pattern from almost any object in my work – clothes, jewelry, toys, quilts, furniture, architecture, anything goes! I search for pattern in everything and incorporate it into my work. I end up with a colorful synthesis of shapes, lines, and patterns that add color to any space.

I am most proud of the fact that I am still continuing my art practice. A lot of students following graduation give up their art practice or stop it taking seriously, so I’m glad I maintained my drive to make art, because I’m really not sure what I would be doing with my time otherwise.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I am driven by the possibilities of how I can create more beautiful things and what form or shape they can take in the real world. My patterns can be placed on almost anything, so I’m really excited to experiment with that concept and eventually get into home decor/interior design and designing fabric in order to work with fashion designers and clothing brands.

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

PAY THEM! — fairly!

Artists are working individuals just as anyone else you would pay for services – plumbers, chefs, caterers, electricians. We provide a service and should be paid the wage we set for ourselves. Supporting artists financially by finding ways to incorporate their work into businesses, organizations, cities, and homes is how we can sustain artists to help them continue to make their work while also making a comfortable living.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jaydearchbold.com
• Instagram: @jayde_archbold
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artbyjayde

Image Credits

Lexie Reid Photography