We recently connected with Jazmine Ricks and have shared our conversation below.
Jazmine, 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.
When witnessing some of my triumphs and successes, a lot of that materialized as a result of embracing risks. “Do the thing that scares you” would serve as my inspirational testament to the value of what it’s like embarking on some of those risky endeavors. There’s also balance when celebrating those achievements that I reflect on the lessons learned throughout my creative journey. It’s been an ongoing process of growing, learning and really trusting my intuition on if it’s worth seizing an opportunity that doesn’t really speak to who I truly am.
When I first knew that I wanted to transform my clothing business into more of a platform for producing film and photography concepts, I felt timid to the idea of starting from scratch. It was risky, but it took completely starting over and growing my business within an environment that reflected where I ultimately wanted to be successful in, to really begin to allow me to bloom and blossom into a realm of opportunity. I truly believe by embracing the unknown, we can discover the extraordinary potential within ourselves.
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?
As a performance artist, commanding attention with stage presence and captivating audiences is my art through storytelling. With my previous profession as a family portrait photographer, this would naturally lead me to integrate my entertainment skills with film and photography. Since blending my skills as a performer and producer, I’ve now spent the past few years really dedicated to expanding my artistic vision and taking the reins on creating my own productions and campaigns. I have found so much joy in creating these projects that intertwine my passion for dance, unconventional fashion, and cinematography. Each concept has become a canvas for my expression and allowed me to really explore my empowerment and liberation.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
It’s been extremely rewarding overall, but lately I’ve appreciated deeply the therapeutic flow state reached when you deep dive into a project that really speaks to your soul. You reach this enchanting place where self-expression finds its purest form and there are only boundless possibilities waiting to be explored.
I have also always had an abundance of gratitude for the collaboration and mentorship I’ve received, and my ability to provide resources and guidance to others too. One of my biggest aspirations is to establish a boutique creative space (surrounded by it’s community garden) that fosters the growth and success of fellow artists. There’s so much value is having a nurturing space for creative minds. Supporting and uplifting others creates a ripple effect, and opportunities for talent to flourish and find their voices.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
At the core of my journey lies a steadfast commitment to authenticity. I firmly believe that my artistry flourished when I embraced my identity and began creating on my own terms. By refusing to conform to external expectations, I carved out a space for my creative voice to thrive, and I hope to strongly empower others to do the same. With very project and event, I strive to build a team that actively fosters an environment that nurtures. This ultimately creates a community where creativity thrives and individuality is celebrated. From when I’m performing on stage with fire or my forays into filmmaking and theater production, I have continually pushed my own boundaries, challenged norms, and hope that my efforts can eventually inspire others to embrace their true selves!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.jazminericks.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/faux_fleur
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@studiojaz
Image Credits
Lola Scott Art, Artistic Photos ATL, _MXOLISI_, Stephon King Photography