We were lucky to catch up with Jessi Harris recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jessi, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
I’ve never actually had an official “desk-job.” And holy s#$%, am I thankful for that.
Before I started to pursue art full time, I worked long, late nights as a club/craft bartender. I loved it for the fast paced party and the slow boojee brûlées at the clubs and restaurants, and made decent money and even better friends along the way. It was a good fit for me at first, and helped me gain a lot of creative social, physical, and mental skills; but, well… let’s just say I grew out of it after a few years of constant hangovers and never seeing the sun except for right before I went to sleep.
I will admit, between the last few years of bartending, dabbling in freelance art, and the onset of covid-19, yeah… I definitely started daydreaming about some sort of secure income. Things got really rough for me for a few years, actually – and not just financially.
One thing that always happened when I was dreaming of financial freedom was this image of me sitting in a cubicle, papers and chewed up pencils strewn across the dest, frown on my face, and a massive thought-bubble hovering over my head with the phrase, “Is the money really worth it?” Most of the time, the answer was, “No. I’d rather live in the woods and draw things, or help people.” Blame it on the ADHD, blame it on the ENFJ nature, but a cubicle has always felt like a cage to me.
Actually, come to think of it, I actually worked in a cubicle once – at a call-center for what I came to think was actually(?) a company that scammed old people into purchasing fake vacations. It was miserable BEFORE I realized how sketchy it was, and I only stayed because my friend had been so kind as to set me up with the job, and I didn’t want to make her look bad. But, yeah. I sent in my resignation as soon as I got home. What a nightmare on so many levels. Hell does exist (but on earth, we call them call-centers).
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 took a few art classes in high school where I soon discovered I had a natural talent for capturing the life within portraits and drawings. Following this, I won a few scholastic competitions for my self-portrait portfolio and a dress I designed and hand made from scraps of fabric and plastic knives. I used a blowtorch to distort the knives and drilled holes into the handles to make these alien, feather-like beads. And of course I wore it to junior prom, cause I just have to stir the pot like that.
A lot of my work emphasizes the importance of coming to terms with your identity/purpose as a person, and then using self-expression as a method toward achieving that purpose. I bring a sense of spontaneity, satire and sarcasm to some pretty serious topics, such as the stigmas and experience of living with mental illness, childhood trauma, and the general difficulties of living a unique life in a world obsessed with conformity. But I always encourage others to look at all sides of the issue. We are never without hope.
My mission is to use the powers of empathy and self-expression to support and empower individuals in the process of creating a life that is sustainable, creative, and fulfilling.
I create a variety of products and experiences, ranging from immersive art installations, relatable content and satire, and wearable custom clothing, to merchandise, prints, and pop-up shows.
What I am most proud of about myself as an artist and a brand is my ability to pivot, adapt and overcome. I help people understand and define their identity – who they are currently, who they want to be, and what steps it may take to get there. We and the world are in a constant state of change, this fact is imperative to keep in mind as we adjust and take those individual steps toward our goals.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I think one of the best ways to support local businesses is to build together and support each other. There is such a pressure from large corporations and this free market/capitalist society to just build build build with such an intense focus that verges on desperation. There is room for all of us if we emphasize sustainable infrastructure and manufacturing within our businesses. Looking at our businesses like living, breathing organisms is a great start. I think the goal here is to develop a symbiotic relationship with our competition and environment. It is definitely a work in progress, but not impossible.
One quote that has stuck with me (ever since someone wrote it on my car in permanent marker) is this: “Build as you grow.”
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I’m going to answer this question from a more philosophical angle, because I think it’s important to understand that it’s not necessarily accurate to distinguish between “creatives” and “non-creatives.” Each career has its pros and cons – which then vary by personality and individual circumstances of the person involved.
We are all creating our destiny one day at a time, one choice, one step, one consequence after the other. Whether that’s in a so-called “creative” field or not is open to interpretation… My own artistic journey is all about discovery. Discovering my values, what makes me tick, the things I’m willing to sacrifice for a life and work balance that is sustainable and fulfilling. It’s been all about building and upholding boundaries, setting standards, making goals, adjusting, and hoping (at the very least) to be able to provide enough financial resources to keep a roof over my head and food in my belly. I think it is essential to follow your internal guidelines on what you are willing to give in order to receive the physical, psychological, or even spiritual return.
Contact Info:
- Website: firstwaxtree.com
- Instagram: @firstwaxtree
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessi.harris.790/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-harris-ab1116239/
- Other: email address: [email protected] (High School awards, this account no longer active): https://www.behance.net/jessikin152 http://voyagemia.com/interview/meet-jessi-harris-first-wax-tree-west-palm-beach/ https://shoutoutmiami.com/meet-jessi-wax-harris-abstract-artist-and-conscious-designer/
Image Credits
Bianca Meinhart (biancamstudiosllc)