Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Justin Perry. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Justin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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 am very happy as both. My last few years has been me aligining both sides so I am in a flow between the two. My creative happiness of exploring what I want to see feeds my artistic happiness with art for sale that represents me as much as talent.

I often think of having a regular job in unstable moments. Working on a commission to pay, while an event is on the weekend that had a deposit to showcase, prepping art, transportation, time, etc make for constant expenses. In a way teaching for me is a “regular job” if regular means a consistent income source. Art goes up and down. I have awesome art that doesnt sale right away or shows that cancel last minute. In my experience, those moments can make the mind drift into 9-5 thoughts instead of pushing your art out more.

Recently, I really needed money. I was low on funds till the end of the month. I was working on a commission that was no where near finish. I had a vendor event every weekend and after two shows made no sales. Thoughts really poured in about putting my time into a 9-5 to get just catch my breath. I thought of schedules out of my control, customer engagement, transportation, sleep, etc. When I thought thru the situation many of things I could think I would need for a 9-5, I need for my art. I shifted thinking about new jobs to new ways I could present my art. Ways I havent tried, seen work esle where and new ideas about art I already made. This led me to do more live art in public spots where I found good vibes and foot traffic. Its led to more public interactions, finished art, connections, content, customers and sales.

My conclusion is that my happiness is a priorty. If a regular job serves that I’m down. I am grateful to have cultivated the space for me to exist as a artist and creative. That intersection grounds me in an abundance of positive energy that develops my mind, body and soul. I am both an artist and creative. That makes me very happy

Justin, 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?

I am Justin Perry. I am JustJenus(Genius)Art. @JustJenusArt on all social media. I am a artist, teacher, poet, muralist, and photograhper. I have been a professional artist for eight years amd teacher for four this Fall 2025. I live and practice art in Raleigh, North Carolina USA. I create portraits and figure art in pencil, acrylic paint in abstract and poruing. I practice several medians and often create split art and mix media pieces. I provide original artworks that I cultivate with my imagination, external inputs and photos I see and take. My artwork carries energy of peace, deep thought, beauty of melanated people, surrealism, Afrofuturism and music. I really enjoy custom pieces for clients. The collaboration, making another’s creative mind blend with your skill, really making something special and one of a kind. It can be challenging when there are communication issues, knowing when a piece is finished, and balancing artsy with professionalism. Customs carry rewarding feelings when done, being with a client through the process, solving any problems and getting them what they want makes me very proud.

I teach visual art, creative writing, and drama with poetry and spoken word. I teach downtown Raleigh at a non profit called Arts Together which teaches multi art discilpines year round to all ages. I have been involved in SWAY, the school’s public engagement progarm, where I teach at RHA communtities and represent the school at local festivals and events.
I often serve in communtiy collaboration involving local organizations, artists, and the public in creating beautification projects like murals and art showcases.
Last year I work with Raleigh Chapter High School on a mural at Carriage House Apartments next to Arts Together. Nina Oteria Foster LeDuc led the project and connected with me through social media for help with organizing the process. RCHS students designed the mural, we came together and painted to completion in a few hours. The residents of Carriage House happily watched us worked, lending feedback and help. Several classes of Arts Together students were able to walk thru and see the mural be made. The entire experience involved so many levels of local communtiy beautifying their own space. We are set for another mural Spring 2025.

My connection to local art creatives sets me apart of other artists. We all have our own experiences and ties that shape how our art is producted and recieved. I have cultivated multi partnerships in my local spheres to consistencely make collaborative art projects. I am very happy where I am in my art and where I plan to go.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the persective on life. Artist do see things differently. We get to choose how we interact with the world with our gifts. How we view nature, work, animals, colors, entertainment, politics, food, relgion, science and most of all art is impacted by our creativity. The reward of connecting, sharing, communicating, unifying, through art feels very sacred. Your work can be viewed and change others persective. What we see and why shapes who we are. As a artist, it is very rewarding to be and have others healed and be healing because of the art you make.

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

Society can best support art and artists by increasing arts in education, increasing art grant budgets, creating more sections of cities dediacated to the arts, increasing housing for artists, free health care for artists, more educational scholarships for artists, supporting collaborative projects for artists to connect international to work together, and more laws protecting artists rights.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://justjenusart.wixsite.com/just-jenus-art
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justjenusart?igsh=NWduNWh5ZzVobTk5
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/164a66AeLL/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@anewbizjp?si=AGwIIN4SEAPYvxXS
• Other: https://linktr.ee/JustJenusArt?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwJ436BleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABp4IUYhsNKGIFvavla7dx7CreMNhV5YM8D38nFJf7oOh28PO1hfM59qVEeRZ7_aem_5xbL1Nc8hFQxwb2EsI2rZA

Image Credits

@JustJenusArt