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

JazzEra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My most meaningful project to date has to be my debut EP “Moody” set to release November 3rd 2023. “Moody” is an ode to the little moody girl who feels it all. Growing up I struggled with feeling safe to express myself fully, creating a stagnancy within my body that translated into what I know now as anxiety and depression. Art became my safe haven, while drawing and painting became outlets for my pain, music became an outlet to uplift, encourage and affirm myself. “Moody” is a monumental moment for me because it directly represents me choosing to bet on myself despite the doubts and fears that used to consume me.

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.

I am simply an artist who enjoys creating. Whatever I feel like creating that day I create, I don’t like to limit my expression. Every medium has a direct correlation to help navigate the world around me. I’ve been drawing as long as could hold something to draw with, it was the natural way I communicated with my environment. I’ve since grown to learn my interests lies in cultivating community through my creativity. I’m a fine artist, musician, muralist, art instructor and also spend time working with the youth teaching art. I found that teaching whether with kids or hosting paint and sips serves as an extension of my creativity. It’s a gift to be able to activate someone else’s creativity, I find it brings a sense of satisfaction and joy to my life. Im grateful to have the chance to share my light with others and that’s why I choose to create.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I’m still unlearning is not letting doubt delay my blessings. Doubt played a major role in my past which left me feeling misunderstood, isolated, and depressed ultimately hindering my growth. While on this journey to self realization, I’ve learned the judgmental critic in mind mind is a false voice I’ve let reign over my life for far too long. Following my creative inspirations and spiritual practices has helped me realize you can’t see your blessings if you can’t see yourself authentically. With that said I am making conscious strives to change my belief system from one of doubt and fear to one of love and abundance.

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

The most rewarding and terrifying thing about being an artist is the opportunity to be vulnerable. With vulnerability comes connection and I’m here to connect and learn from every soul I come in contact with. To share my experience and pov with the world despite fear gives others the opportunity to do the same and I think that’s pretty rad lol.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Jazzzera
• Twitter: Itsalljazzy
• Youtube: JazzEra
• Other: https://linktr.ee/jazzzera?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=44d8394d-0051-4326-8dcb-62a64e9c41f6

Image Credits
Autumn Polk (edited) Ali Hussainy (photographer)