We recently connected with Jodi Crum and have shared our conversation below.

Jodi, appreciate you 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?

Being an art teacher and artist all in one definitely comes with the territory of feeling burnt out and facing the dreaded “artist block”. In those moments of questioning why I’m doing what I’m doing, it’s easy to start asking the what-ifs and wondering if a normal 9-5 would be better. But, through the chaos of teaching middle schoolers and finding energy to work on commissions, I love what I do and wouldn’t have it any other way. I get to share my passion with students and watch them find themselves through their creativity. Teaching art is one the most rewarding jobs I could ever have. On top of that, I have the privilege of creating my own work for people that love and care enough about what I do to want a piece of artwork hanging in their home. Its an incredible feeling and I would not be where I am today without art.

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 wear a couple different hats within the art world. I’m a middle school art teacher, studio artist, and a live wedding painter. Since my senior year of high school, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in art education. My experience in college, within the art department at Florida Southern really pushed me to grow as an artist and helped elevate me to where I’m at now as an educator and business owner.

Jo Studio Art mainly consists of commission work for clients with a small portion of personal projects. I am most sought out for wedding and pet portraits, while my more personal work consists of landscapes and floral elements. I pride myself in having a variety of work that reflects in not staying within one medium or niche. Majority of my work, however, is done in either oil or acrylic paint on canvas. With other work being done in acrylic ink on handmade cotton paper.

My second business I own and run is called The Candid Canvas. I recently fell in love with the new wedding trend of an artist painting a moment at the wedding, such as a first kiss or first dance. This new endeavor has been so much fun and I have loved every minute of visiting new venues and meeting brides & grooms on one of the most special days for them.

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

I think we live in a society where we want things immediately, efficiently, and as cheap as possible. But it’s important to slow down, go find a local market happening on a Saturday morning, or find a small business owner to shop from. Look for handmade gifts for loved ones through Etsy, other social media shops, or local artists that you may know of. When you pay the price for something that’s truly handmade, you’re not only financially supporting that artist, but you’re also giving them a sense of pride and worth. Creatives thrive around feeling seen and heard with their work and it’s hard to stay motivated to create when we are surrounded by big manufacturing and two-day shipping.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The goal is simply to just create. I have learned that it no longer matters to me how many Instagram followers I have or if my work follows an aesthetic. I want to consistently surround myself with art that matters to me. I found myself getting lost in comparing myself to others that have gone viral with their artwork. I love staying in the know of what’s trending as long as I am doing so in a healthy mindset. All I want out of my career is to know that my artwork brought myself, and those around me, absolute joy.

Contact Info:

• Website: Jostudioart.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/jo_studioart?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://instagram.com/candid.canvas_?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Email: [email protected]
• Email: [email protected]