Brook Jones shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Brook, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me is waking up with my infant and my two year old. Then getting a cup of coffee and relaxing on the couch for a bit while watching my daughters PBS cartoons. Sometimes I even crochet while we watch. The majority of the day is taking care of them. But around nap time after lunch, I Get to squeeze in some time for art in-between house work of course. Then after naptimes is finishing up house work or my artwork for the day, sometimes even sitting around cuddling with the baby. Next is dinner when My Husband gets home. After dinner it’s relaxing time with dad, playing video games, watching a movie or just playing toys with by daughter. Then it’s her bedtime routine and off to bed. Once the kids are asleep that’s my time to work on art or scroll social media, post about the day or even just a simple shower before bed. Sometimes it’s hectic and sometimes it’s a slow day. I am always grateful and enjoy this short time being home with them.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a 27 Year old mom of two and mixed media artist. I enjoy printmaking and watercolor the most, but also branch out to photograph and mural painting. Nature is my muse when it comes to thematics of my artwork. I enjoy Seeing the beauty of God’s creations in every way possible.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful would definitely be through my early artwork as a kid. I felt seen everytime I showed off a crayon drawing or a graphite drawing. I felt most myself and like I could create anything. When I was younger I went to church camp and I felt the most myself there. The craft area was huge and I loved everything to do there. Each piece I put my heart into and everyone treated you with kindness and admiration. This is the way I felt powerful and comfortable in myself. Even though I was young I felt like an artist not just a kid that did art.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of failure has held me back a lot. I have so many ideas and big ones too. But fear of never being seen as a artist and selling art held me back form middle school through college. In that time period I thought my work even though I loved doing it, wouldn’t be seen or loved by others. When in college I wouldn’t apply for showings and residency because I felt my work wasn’t worthy and I wouldn’t get in. Once I got to senor year of college I did try for some shows and got in. I noticed that style and confidence is everything! I struggle with the thought of failure with selling my art to this day, I struggle with it. Everyone loves it, but no one strives to keep it for themselves. But I learned as long as I keep creating and loving it, why hold back and stop.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
The ideas I rely on the most of are my College friends. My friends from college have a strong bond with me. I take their ideas and criticism on my artwork very heavily. They are artists themselves and went through the same classes I did. Their critiques are important in helping me figure out what needs to change or not change for my work. They have two different styles and their thoughts. Help me bring my own ideas to life. Sometimes I even have ideas to bounce back at them for their own work that they wouldn’t have thought of. It’s like trading and the art world.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I was told that I had to have a career in mind. I always said I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom and an artist and I’m currently living out that dream. I’m enjoying it so much but I don’t know how long this period of time will be able to last. My kids inspire me everyday to make art, along with my Christianity. I love this time that I am in and I feel like this is what I was striving to do since kindergarten. They aske
you in kindergarten what you want to be when you grow up, I always said stay at home mom and artist. Everyone told me to get a job and make more money. But where’s the happiness in that? I want to do this and make money doing it.
Contact Info:
- Website: brookann2017@gmail.com
- Instagram: Brookannjonesart
- Twitter: brookann2017@gmail.com
- Facebook: Brook Ann Jones
- Yelp: brookann2017@gmail.com
- Youtube: brookann2017@gmail.com
- Soundcloud: brookann2017@gmail.com
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@brookannjones2020?_t=ZT-8yGzfy3b474&_r=1
Tiktok
