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Interview with Just J. Art
Just J. Art, (Hear)tfelt, 2024
Jamera is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist of Caribbean heritage. She enjoys bringing ideas to life through endless forms and is known as “the girl who finds a way to get it done” amongst her peers. Whether it’s braiding hair, crocheting, cooking a meal, or baking a treat, you can always find Jamera expressing her imagination and sharing it with others.
From her early childhood of designing and sewing doll clothing out of fabric scraps to painting intricate designs on her nails as an adolescent, she has always known how to utilize resources at her disposal to repurpose and create something new.
She explored this passion in high school, attending the specialized art institution Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts. Here, she found the most enjoyment in painting and digital design, and pursued a Bachelor of Technology in Graphic Communications Management at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). She continues to expand her knowledge through online education and programs in her city like Rising VR, VIBE Arts NExT, and ArtworksTO while growing a portfolio in the mural and public art space.
The most fulfilling aspect of her career to date has been working with youth in Art Coordination, a role she’s cherished since the age of 16. Nurturing young minds and fostering an environment where imagination is embraced has become an art form of its own, and inspires Jamera along with her practice.
Her personal time embarks on a journey of learning about herself and God. She enjoys adventure, yoga, plant-based meals and doing a little happy dance to celebrate the goodness of it all—grounding and centering herself through life’s challenges.
Just J. Art, UNITY, 2023, Acrylic
Jamera explores ideologies, concepts, and culture through her work. As a person who sees reimagined images in the things she consumes, painting is her method of allowing others to see what she does, re-think, and connect.
Each piece starts off as a rough idea. It can ignite from reading, watching media, listening to music, or having a deep conversation with close friends or family. Whenever and wherever it sparks, it is written down and transferred to a scribble in her sketchbook.
These doodles are refined and brought to life with a bold color palette and a style she has adapted from intricately layering organic shapes to create dimensional, liquid-like forms.
Her appreciation for nature, music, culture, and spirituality fuel inspiration for what she creates and is transferred through it.
She merges elements that do not conventionally go together, like Black hair and paint brushes or volcanoes and durags, to tell stories showing the interconnectedness of the world. They stand in still images as symbols of appreciation and lessons she has learned.
With each piece, Jamera aspires to engage audiences and provoke thought, enriching the world of art with a new light.
Just J. Art, CREATIVEZ, 2020
Read our interview below to get a glimpse into Just J. Art’s creative journey:
Are there any new mediums, techniques, or concepts you’re eager to explore in the coming years?
I’m always eager to embrace crafts whether it’s one I’m revisiting or something completely new. In relation to the near future that I can touch, I’m looking forward to combining my 2D paintings with other elements to create multimedia 3D works. I explored this last February with an exhibited piece called “Evolution”.
I find that adding a third dimension opens up new possibilities for expression and storytelling, which also aligns with my goal to experience art from new perspectives. It’s no coincidence that the concept of “Evolution” sparked a pursuit in my own artistic evolution.
How do you hope your artworks resonate with viewers, both within your community and on a global scale?
I hope my art serves as lessons and reflections of shared experiences, with love at its core. Within my community and globally, I want my pieces to inspire introspection and connection, reminding everyone of the simplicity and beauty that lies beneath the human journey.
My work embodies themes of nature, everyday items seen in a new light, and Black culture. I hope those who see themselves reflected can resonate and everyone as a whole can foster empathy and understanding.
In your journey as an artist, what has been the most unexpected experience, realization, or challenge?
My journey as an artist has been filled with unexpected blessings. The opportunities that I’ve had the privilege of encountering and completing have been beyond anything my 8-year-old self could have imagined.
I’ve come to realize that art is the tool I’ve been gifted with, and I’m learning to use it to help others. It’s a powerful medium for bringing people together in expression and understanding. Each opportunity, realization, and challenge has helped me grow as an artist and reaffirmed my belief in the power of art to make an impact.
Just J. Art, Love Is In The Hair, 2022, Acrylic
Do you have any barriers to being an artist? If so, how do you address them?
As an artist, I encounter several barriers that challenge my creative journey. One significant hurdle at this moment in time is finding the space to create—whether it’s mental, time-wise, or taking physical action. Balancing everyday responsibilities can make it difficult to carve out the time and clarity needed for artistic exploration. Also, making a dedicated workspace that fosters my creativity is a challenge.
Nevertheless, I focus on affirming patience and discipline within myself. I make it a priority to set aside specific time slots for creating, even if it means working in shorter bursts. For mental clarity, I like to do yoga to clear my mind and regain focus. In terms of physical space, I’ve learned to adapt my surroundings and create a studio wherever I am, using whatever materials I have available.
What are you besides an artist? How does being a creator impact other parts of your life?
Besides being an artist, I’m a sister, aunt, friend, lifelong learner, cook, girl willing to try new things, and a soul yearning to travel. My creativity is the umbrella, sheltering all of these aspects of my life. This translates into my ability to come up with alternative methods of handling situations and solving problems.
Just the other day, I needed a quick sticker stand for a pop-up show, so I made one out of foam board and thumbtacks because it was the quickest and most readily available option within my timeframe. My peers and coworkers often tell me they wouldn’t approach things the way I do, but that’s what makes us unique and compatible to work with one another. What one head can’t solve, two may be able to.
What’s next for you and your artistry? What opportunities are you seeking and where do you see your creativity taking you?
As I continue to explore my artistry in my personal time and through programs in my city, I look forward to what the future holds with optimism. I am seeking opportunities that allow me to expand my creative reach and deepen my connection with people. A part of this trip has been teaching youth and adults in paint nights, which has been fulfilling. I’d love to continue empowering communities in similar settings.
I am also excited to explore new artistic mediums, expand my mural portfolio and collaborate with creatives of different disciplines. Ultimately, I see my creativity taking me to national and international platforms where I can share the messages of my work and build community.
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