Check Out Jazzmine Caron’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jazzmine Caron.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started painting when I was about 15 years old. It’s funny because I don’t exactly remember why I started painting but I just remember feeling so good when I did. It wasn’t good work either, it was very much a little side hobby that I picked up during my free time. I had never even taken a painting class or had any type of art lessons before so I went into it completely blind.

I really started painting more seriously during the pandemic. Of course with all this free time, what else was there to do? Even though I had always loved art, I had this new perspective about it and I just became so intrigued, I started finding inspiration in everything around me: my friends/family, my body, the music I listened to, etc. It was then that I started painting non-stop, whether it was on a canvas or in my tiny watercolor sketchbooks. My goal was to just learn new techniques and different styles such as pour art or using palette knifes instead of traditional brushes. I started doing commissions for close family and friends and then I eventually expanded my “shop” by selling stickers. I wanted to produce as much art as I could. And I did! I started doing what any amateur artist should do: submit to open calls! I started showcasing art in local galleries (even online ones) and pop-up galleries put on by other small businesses/artists. My first exhibition was “The Local Group Show” at Stay Gallery in Downey back in 2021. Seeing my mom’s portrait displayed on the wall for everyone to see was an absolute rush and I saying that I felt honored would be a complete understatement.

A year later, I would go on to showcase my first solo show, “The Experimental Phase” at the very same gallery where it all started. This show was all the artwork I had done throughout the pandemic; a time in which I was experimenting with tons of different styles and techniques, trying to figure out my own. So where am I at today? I am currently working full-time as a resource coordinator for affordable senior housing; I absolutely love my job and the people I work with. I am still making and selling art of course. I’ll be showcasing some art in Los Angeles on November 19th for a “Dia de los Muertos” pop-up exhibition and on December 1st at Angel City Brewery for the month-long exhibition “The Divine Feminine”.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s definitely not a smooth road. One of my biggest challenges, even to this day, is pricing my artwork. It’s sometimes hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that many artists can sell their art easily for thousands of dollars and I’m over here overthinking if $50 is too much for a painting. But the way I go about it now is thinking how would a tattoo artist price their work? The tattoo artists that I know and have talked to say that their pricing depends on 1. how long does the whole process take? 2. how big or small is the design? 3. How detailed is the design? This way of thinking has definitely helped me along the way with correctly pricing my work. Another struggle I came across was the actual act of painting realistically. I wanted so badly to learn how to paint people’s faces and other realistic objects such as hands and clothes but being a self-taught artist, I didn’t know where to start. I started really paying attention to art reels and videos on social media and the art that surrounded me in real life. I was able to pick up a few techniques to help me but I can admit I am still currently learning.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I graduated from Cal State Long Beach back in 2021 with my degree in social work because I knew I wanted to help others and my community. I started my current job about four months ago as an activity coordinator for a non-profit affordable housing agency. I oversee two senior properties here in Los Angeles and it’s been an absolute blast so far. The main part of that job is creating a calendar every month and filling it up with fun and educational activities for the senior adults to enjoy such as arts and crafts, movie days, technology help, nutrition classes, and lots more! A big part of it is also doing community outreach and scheduling different vendors to come and have presentations whether it’s Medicare, the LA Zoo, blood pressure classes, drum circles, and exercise sessions just to name a few. I would say I am most proud of the connections I’ve made while working for this agency. The connections I’ve made with the residents have been so rewarding, it makes my job so worth it. The partnerships I’ve made with community leaders and vendors have also helped so much because it benefits the seniors and their well-being in such a positive way. I’m not quite sure what sets me apart yet but I know that I am an eager person, always willing to learn new things and keeping an open mind because it’s important to understand all perspectives, not just my own. I was recently promoted to “Resource Coordinator” where I will be doing the same work as before but with a lot more administrative work and linking residents to various resources whether is transportation, rental assistance, food assistance, etc. The world needs more social workers!

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite memory from my childhood was our yearly camping trips. We went everywhere from Yosemite to Kings Canyon to the Sequoias to Sedona, the list goes on. I just remember being so free out there in the open, climbing any huge rocks I could find, scraping my knees and elbows, eating ham & cheese sandwiches on very long hikes, and almost even dying while white-water rafting!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rhyeseyes.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhyeseyes/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/rhyeseyes