We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joe Stuckey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Joe, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I’m a man from a small town in South Ga. with one red light! I wasn’t sure where I felt I was meant to be but, I always knew I wanted to see the world. Like most southern homes you’re taught to go with what’s expected to be gurantees of a good life. Dreaming big meant being a Doctor or Lawyer. I was on the Doctor path actually! I was a Biology major (figuring it all out) and I came home from school one summer and worked in the surgery center at a hospital in a nearby city. For some reason, anytime they needed someone to go to the morgue my name always came up and I’d disappear every single time. That was one of key moments that taught me that my life had to be created and lived by my own choices. I knew I loved Fashion and did not know how but, I had to pursue it!
Joe, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
In 1996, I moved to Atlanta and studied Fashion Merchandising at Bauder College. From there, I interned at Saks Fifth Avenue in the visual department which led me to wardrobe styling. I worked on fashion shows and visited modeling agencies to connect with photographers for test shoots with models. As I grew, I gained more repeat clients and started to work with musicians. I’m proud to say that my work has been featured in numerous magazines from Esquire to Marie Claire, from Jezebel to Upscale. Fast forward years later and we have His Heart Love – Inspire Connect Unite.
My brand, His Heart Love was born from my journey of Self Love. Now it’s called SELF Love for a reason. We don’t find it from an outward source but, that doesn’t stop us from trying. Funny thing is it’s also an ongoing process. The official name and tagline is His Heart Love – Inspire Connect Unite. It speaks to how through God’s love, we’re able to Inspire Connect and Unite. I’m INSPIREd by Fashion, We CONNECT over Food and Music is a Universal UNITEr. As a brand, we offer T-Shirts, Hoodies, reimagined Camo Jackets, Sweatshirts and more that act as friendly reminders that it’s our duty to love & educate one another, to be happy and to use our talents to bless others, as well as, ourselves.
Our most recent products not only focus on God’s love but, bring awareness to such things as Depression (Our “Silence Speaks” Jacket or our “It Gets Betta'” sweatshirts), Dementia, HIV/Aids and Breast Cancer Awareness to name a few. Life is not just about your personal experience and what you can do for yourself but, how we can learn, share and serve others. This doesn’t mean you’re expected to be perfect.!!
I’m DEFINITELY not. I strive to be better but, I am sipping a bit of Ketel One while typing this HA!! I also had 3 cream filled donuts earlier. Okay maybe it was six.
In my difficult times when I don’t have the answers or a clue how i will make it. I pray. When all around me is full of confusion and at war. I pray. When I feel alone and misunderstood, I pray. Operating from a space of Love means that I do my best but, I’m human. I’m flawed and fall short in so many ways but, GOD loves me without fail and in spite of any reason you could think that he shouldn’t.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My mission is to Be Blessed and A Blessing. My creative ventures are forms of freedom and expression. They’re my release from my day to day stressors. From wardrobe styling (joestuckey.com) and reimagining furniture to creating products for my site (hisheartlove.com) to overseeing (Instagram @stylecuisinesound) that focuses on Fashion Food and Music. We also have another line being produced called Curated Static (TM).
The more that I take the time to replenish me and share my gifts, the more others are inspired to explore theirs and share those blessings with the world.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Society can take the time to understand the projects of artist they wish to support. Refer friends and help the artist grow as much as possible. Speak their name in rooms or meetings their not included in. Purchase their products and leave reviews.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hisheartlove.com www.joestuckey.com
- Instagram: @hisheartlove @joestuckeystylist @stylecuisinesound
- Facebook: @joestuckeystylist @hisheartlove
Image Credits
Yolonda Baker L. Lewis Patterson
Camille Morrison