My name is Joi Carter. I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Art has always been a passion of mine! At five years old, I discovered my love for sketching. My parents bought me sketch pads and art supplies, and I always had a desk or a designated area where I could be secluded from distractions and be free with my creative energy. I’ve always incorporated art in every facet of my life. Rather, acquiring my degree in Apparel Merchandising and Product Development allowed me to learn the fashion industry’s business aspect. Or having a love for fashion and being expressive with my outfits. In college, I would customize my old shoes by painting designs, which sparked the idea of customizing my friend’s shoes on campus to make extra money. I took an Introduction to Oil Painting course in my Junior year of college. I struggled a lot initially, but once we got to the portrait portion of the course, the lessons started to register, and I became more confident in my grasp of the concepts. I went from a D to bringing my grade up to a B- after submitting my self-portrait for our final. After graduating college, I painted on and off for a year. I took a brief hiatus from creating art in 2018 due to a hefty workload, personal drama, and lack of space to make, which prohibited inspiration and derailed my creative process. In 2021, during the height of the pandemic, I decided to get back into my art to cope with mental stress. I made a vow to prioritize the things that bring me “Joy,” and I’ve been consistently painting and doing commissions and art exhibitions. My medium of choice is oil paint, where I specialize in portraits. I also do abstract paintings using acrylic paint.

I am most proud of myself for committing to my promise to younger Joi when I was 18. In high school, I wrote a letter to my future self, saying I would have a career as a full-time artist. That dream got deferred a few times throughout my life. Now, I am on the track of making that dream a reality. I am genuinely grateful for my family, friends, and the connections I’ve encountered with other creatives who’ve inspired me and encouraged me to get back into my art and share my gift with the world.

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or a creative is that there’s no definitive timeline or pathway that you must follow to be “successful.”As a Black woman living, working, and maneuvering in spaces that frequently induce trauma and stress, I believe prioritizing self-care is a must. Creating art is a part of my self-care regimen. Painting brings me a sense of peace. Painting allows me to express myself freely, all while sharing my work with many people. I am my most authentic self when I can create art. Any monetary gain or opportunities to showcase my art is a bonus. I make it because it’s equivalent to eating, sleeping, and breathing. If I don’t create, I don’t feel alive.

For so long, I thought to be considered an artist, you had to have accolades and specific accomplishments. I believed your work had to be shown in historically white institutions or mentioned in the highly regarded art industry to be deemed an artist. Working in nonprofits and attending specific meetings, I would hear people use terms like “professional artists” and say that they want to hire professional artists. What institutes someone to be a professional artist? After meeting creatives from all walks of life who’ve been painting for 30-plus years, teaching art, and are pillars in their community but have never had their work showcased in galleries or mentioned in the media, are these individuals not considered artists? I later realized that being an artist is self-proclaimed, regardless of your skill set, accolades, or medium of choice. Being creative is a gift that we are born with, and at times, we let society dictate the value of our gifts.