Conversations with Jermaine Tilson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jermaine Tilson.

Hi Jermaine, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey as an artist started when I was a kid. I’ve been creating art since the age of six, using it as a way to express emotions, process life experiences, and find peace through creativity. Growing up in foster care and facing different hardships shaped not only who I am as a person, but also the meaning behind my work. Art became more than just painting for me — it became healing, storytelling, and a way to turn pain into purpose.
I’m a self-taught abstract artist originally from the East Coast, and over the years I’ve continued to develop my own style through experimentation, emotion, and lived experience. My work often focuses on themes of resilience, identity, mental health, transformation, and hope. I use bold colors, layered textures, and movement to reflect different emotions and experiences that people can connect with in their own way.

As my journey continued, I began receiving opportunities to share my work throughout Sacramento and beyond. Some important moments in my career include creating a mural for Volunteers of America, being featured on the Golden 1 Center billboard during Black History Month, participating in Wide Open Walls, showcasing work in galleries like Brickhouse Gallery, Twisted Track Gallery, and the Sojourner Truth Museum, and being selected for the Black Artist Foundry residency program. I was also honored to be one of the Seeding Creativity grantees, where I taught art classes to youth in foster care — something that felt deeply personal and full circle for me.

Today, I continue creating artwork that reflects growth, healing, and authenticity while also expanding into community projects, exhibitions, fashion collaborations, and mentorship opportunities. My goal is not only to grow as an artist, but to create spaces where others feel inspired, seen, and encouraged to express themselves through creativity as well.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road. There were many moments where I had to push through self-doubt, financial struggles, instability, and the emotional weight of my past experiences. Growing up in foster care taught me resilience early on, but it also came with challenges that shaped the way I viewed myself and the world around me. There were times when creating art was difficult because I was focused on simply surviving and figuring life out.
As an independent artist, another struggle has been learning how to balance creativity with the business side of art. Building visibility, finding opportunities, investing in supplies, and staying consistent can be overwhelming at times, especially without traditional support or resources. There were also moments where I questioned whether my work would truly reach people or create the impact I hoped for.

At the same time, those struggles became part of my motivation. Art gave me an outlet to heal and remain grounded during difficult seasons of life. Every setback taught me something about perseverance, discipline, and purpose. I believe those experiences are what make my artwork authentic and relatable to others. Instead of hiding my story, I’ve learned to use it as fuel to inspire people who may be going through challenges of their own.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an abstract artist whose work focuses on emotion, storytelling, healing, and human experience. I create paintings, murals, and mixed-media pieces that often explore themes like resilience, identity, mental health, transformation, and personal growth. My style is heavily driven by color, texture, movement, and layered expression, allowing people to interpret the work in their own personal way while still feeling connected to the emotion behind it.
Over the years, I’ve become known for creating artwork that feels raw, authentic, and deeply emotional. A lot of my inspiration comes from my life experiences, including overcoming adversity and learning how to turn difficult moments into something meaningful through creativity. Whether I’m painting live at an event, creating a large mural, or exhibiting in a gallery, my goal is always to create work that makes people feel something real.
One thing I’m especially proud of is being able to use my art to give back to the community. Being selected as a Seeding Creativity grantee and teaching art classes to youth in foster care was a full-circle moment for me because I personally understand how powerful creativity can be for healing and self-expression. I’m also proud of opportunities like having my work featured on the Golden 1 Center billboard during Black History Month, participating in Wide Open Walls, and exhibiting in galleries and community spaces throughout Sacramento.
What sets me apart is the honesty behind my work. I don’t create just for aesthetics — I create from lived experience, emotion, and purpose. My journey has shaped the way I approach art, and I think people connect with that authenticity. I also try to push myself creatively by exploring different mediums, live painting experiences, fashion collaborations, photography, and community-centered projects that allow art to reach people beyond traditional gallery spaces.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think both good luck and bad luck have played a role in my journey, but I also believe a lot of opportunities came from persistence, preparation, and continuing to create even during difficult times. Some of the “bad luck” moments in my life — growing up in foster care, experiencing instability, financial struggles, and facing personal hardships — were things that could have easily discouraged me from pursuing art altogether. At the time, those experiences felt heavy, but looking back, they shaped my perspective, strengthened my resilience, and became a major source of inspiration in my work.
On the positive side, I’ve also experienced moments that felt like blessings or perfect timing. Opportunities like being featured on the Golden 1 Center billboard, participating in major art events, connecting with mentors, or being selected for artist programs happened through a combination of hard work, networking, and staying consistent with my craft. I’ve learned that sometimes simply continuing to show up, even when things are uncertain, creates space for opportunities to find you.
I also think luck can be found in the people who support and believe in you along the way. Having community support, meeting individuals who connected with my story, and being given chances to showcase my work have all made a huge difference in my growth as an artist. At the end of the day, I try not to focus only on luck itself, but on staying dedicated, adaptable, and open to growth regardless of the circumstances.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jcruxart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcrux96

Image Credits
Demetrius (Jamalwillfilms@gmail.com)
Jcrux