Today we’d like to introduce you to Rocky (Rugiyatou) Jallow.
Hi Rocky (Rugiyatou), can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Sweden, my mom is Swedish and my dad is Gambian (West African). I moved here with my twin sister 2010 when I was 20. I wanted to continue school somewhere where the weather was warm throughout the year because I couldn’t deal with the cold and dark winters in Sweden. The first months in Los Angeles was ruff, my 3rd day in America taking the bus for the first time from Santa Monica college to Hollywood where I lived, I missed my stop and was closed to getting raped by a group of guys.
And people broke into mine and my sister’s apartment twice while we were sleeping so I was extremely paranoid and scared in my own place, and I got hustled several times because I was so naive and believed everyone was genuinely good because they were so friendly.
Going into details of everything bad that happened would take too long, it was more than that, but it was definitely ruff the first months. But luckily, it got way better after that.
I went to Santa Monica college and then Glendale college, I played for the soccer team and I studied graphic design but quickly switched to computer animation, which I really enjoyed!
But my first passions has always been painting and designing clothes. I just never thought I could pursue it and actually make money, I figured I’d end up being a starving artist/designer. But my ex-boyfriend convinced me to take a leap of faith and pursue my dreams. So I actually dropped out of college the last year I had left to get my degree, haha. And I pursued painting and designing.
My first big art show was in 2014, I collaborated with actor/photographer Lance Gross and did computer illustrations on top of his photos. We then had a big art show, with red carpet, liquor sponsors and everything. I had hired a PR and director to help me organize everything. We were aired on revolt tv and published in a couple of magazines. It was a success when it came to publicity but not so much in actually selling art because everything ended up being so disorganized and the individual that was supposed to handle the payments wasn’t there etc. So technically, it was a fail in my eyes even if publicly it looked like a success with all the celebrities we had attending, etc.
After that Art show, I was going to design a whole line for a company that ended up screwing me over, and for the eight months I worked for them I never got paid, so I had used up all my savings and I was completely broke with no job.
On top of it, I was dealing with the ex who was unfortunately mentally unstable and threw me out on the street when I had nowhere to go. Luckily another girl from Sweden (that I didn’t know well at the time), Victorya allowed me to crash on her couch, she was literally my savior. I was miserable. I thought things were moving so great and then it all just went downhill. But for some reason, I just had this undying belief in myself. So I wasn’t ready to give up, and after a couple of months, I was able to find a job as a creative director and get my shit together.
But it was still pretty bad after that, I was miserable at that job, my boss was the most negative individual I had ever met and a bully, so coming into work was so extremely draining I could barely mentally handle it. On top of it, my ex I mentioned before posted nude photos of me on social media along with screenshots of the videos we had taken during sex, only because I didn’t want to date him again and he thought I was with someone else. So I was dealing with a lot of negative things at the same time, it was numbing. The story doesn’t end there but it’s too long to tell.
Then end of last year, October 2019, I decided to quit my miserable job. I had so many random signs telling me that I was off my path and needed to take a leap of faith, it was like the universe was throwing me signs daily telling me to quit and pursue my passions.
So at that point, I decided to quit. And I couldn’t have been happier! Even though I had no savings, no backup plan, nothing. Just a belief in myself (Side note, I don’t come from money so I don’t have parents to help me either, and my entire family lives in Sweden, including my twin sister that had moved back). I just knew I’d do well regardless!
But so I started pushing my art again full time and actually making money. I tried releasing different clothing lines as well but they didn’t feel like me so I ended that for the time being. Sometimes with the art, I made nothing at all and I was struggling, but I honestly didn’t mind because I could already tell I was about to do well. I already knew 2020 would be amazing to me, only because of a feeling, something was telling me I was on the right path in life.
Then came the pandemic, haha. But I honestly still feel like this year turned out to be the most amazing year, I’ve had so many opportunities, so many doors open up, and I started making more money! It’s still honestly been a roller coaster with money flow but way better than before, and I definitely want to thank one of my closest friends Roland for some of it, he’s been the most supportive friend out here to both me and my sister.
I also had something else major happen to me this year. I’ve wanted to become a life coach for a few years. To push people to see their potential, to help motivate, to uplift, etc., and the pandemic allowed me to take time to go on a spiritual journey. I went on a solo vacation and had a legit epiphany (sounds strange but it’s true) and realized that coaching is part of my purpose in life, besides doing art, that’s my way of helping people!
I love to motivate, push and everything that comes to coaching, and I know I can help a lot of people! It’s one of the things I’ve always been great at, and going on that spiritual journey made me realize that I needed to stop pushing it aside for something to do in the future and just go for it now!
I’ve only told a few friends about it. But I’m excited to be on that journey of coaching as well as pushing my art.
I’m planning to have a solo art show beginning of next year, we’ll see when depending on the pandemic, and then I’ll definitely be displaying in different galleries next year as well! I’m super excited about next year!
My focus now is coaching and my art, and I work my ass off everyday building this dream life of mine. My dream life will allow me to help other people, and I truly believe that everyone’s purpose in life is to reach their biggest potential, live their dream lives and help others.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a painter and a life coach. I do commissioned work on the side, but my style when it comes to my series is that I only paint women. And all my paintings represent equality; within gender and race. My art doesn’t look like everyone else’s that’s for sure, I have my own style.
I’m known for my paintings. I’ve been on revolt tv, I’ve been published in a couple of magazines and blogs. I’ve been interview for Dash radio and women empowerment podcasts.
I’ve done murals at celebrity houses and business.
I’ve collaborated on pieces with lance gross, Ron Bass and Bart cooper.
I have a mural in dtla (1310 s hill st, Los Angeles).
I’d say I’m proud of everything I’ve done from setting up huge art shows to pushing and believing in myself through all the obstacles I’ve dealt with. But when you know your path, there’s no doubt you’ll do amazing.
What’s next?
Like I mentioned before, I’m having a solo exhibition next year. I was supposed to have it end of this year but the pandemic interfered with that. So I’m aiming to do it January or February depending on how bad the corona cases are still. I’m also displaying my art in other galleries.
I will be coaching several people next year and have spots open for new people looking to be coached to reach their highest potential.
I’m looking forward to everything coming next year.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.rockyrug.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockyrug.art/
