Today we’d like to introduce you to Amari Jade
Hi Amari, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, as a dancer specializing in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary styles. For 14 years, dance was my world—I trained, competed, and built a reputation for my talent. But by the time I started college as a dance major, something felt off. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I had hit a peak, at least on a technical level. I had spent so many years perfecting my technique that when it came time to push past that and express myself more freely, I felt stuck. It was frustrating, even stifling, because deep down, I knew I was a creative person. Dancing had become more about execution than self-expression.
Luckily, I was studying at The University of the Arts, where we were encouraged to explore different artistic mediums. I always enjoyed drawing, so I decided to take a leap of faith and switch my major to Fine Art. It was exciting and terrifying to walk away from something I had dedicated most of my life to. I was worried about what people would think—after all, I had been known as the dancer who was supposed to go far. But despite some pushback, I knew in my heart that dancing wasn’t for me anymore.
That decision changed everything. I realized art was my passion when I felt something deeper and greater than myself every time I was making art. Even when my work wasn’t technically “good” (because I was a beginner), the happiness I felt was undeniable. Unlike dance, I never sought validation in art; I did it purely because it made me feel good. For the first time, I also felt a true sense of belonging. Conversations with other artists made me feel seen and understood in a way I never had before. Everything just resonated, and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.
Now, I’m based in Los Angeles, where I’ve had the opportunity to showcase my work in group exhibitions and even host my first solo show, featuring paintings on canvas and furniture, sculptures, and illustrations. One of the most rewarding parts of this journey in Los Angeles has been learning how to socialize—an underrated skill that’s crucial for any artist. But the LA art community has been very receptive and supportive, never gatekeeping opportunities but instead encouraging collaboration with people who want to help you grow. The people I’ve met here have made it easy for me to open up, and I’m grateful to be part of a space that embraces me and my work with open arms.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For so long, I had dreamed of pursuing my art “full-time.” Then, after a break from a dead-end job, I finally had the opportunity to do just that. Immediately after getting this opportunity, the big question hit me: What does it even mean to pursue my art full-time?
I had all this drive but no direction. There are so many ways to build a career as an artist, and each path depends on so many variables—your medium, your style, your location, your audience (how do you even figure that out?), and what you can afford. Because conducting your art as a business is a major investment. Do you exhibit in galleries and take a pay cut because the gallery has to take 50% of your sale or mark up your prices to be out of people’s price range to compensate? Invest hundreds, even thousands of dollars, to set up a booth at an art fair? Sell wholesale in stores? Follow trends and become an influencer? The possibilities felt endless, and all these questions hit me at once.
Even though I found answers on how I wanted to go about my art career over time, somewhere along the way, I started to neglect the very thing I set out to do: be creative. I burned myself out trying to commodify my art to the point where I didn’t even know who I was as an artist and what I wanted to make. So, the biggest lesson I’ve learned throughout my pursuit is to always stay committed to being creative. Without it, my life would feel meaningless.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My artistry has evolved so much over the past decade, beginning with intricate zentangle patterns and then transitioning into minimal line illustrations—which was ultimately what helped me break into the LA art scene. As I grew artistically, I found myself hitting a plateau with 2D work and expanded to painting on furniture and creating sculptures using natural elements like moss and grass. I’ve recently been called to work with nature as a medium because it’s a substance we can all resonate with at face value. Plants have a sensory element that elevates our moods and produces a calming effect that makes us feel grounded and at home. I like to work with plants as stand-alone objects that speak for themselves or combine them with mirrors and electronic devices. Adding nature to mirrors is a compelling element that can ease the tension of physical and internal self-reflection. I combine plants with electronics to symbolize how the overuse of technology is destructive to our nature, and balancing them with plants is a much-needed reset from the constant reliance on technology. This method is still pretty new for me but, I’m really excited to keep expanding on this theme.
Art, for me, has always been about exploration and evolution, which is why I embrace the constant shifts in my creative practice. Even though my style of art is always changing, I’m very proud to have the courage to try something different. One of the reasons why I love being an artist so much is because there’s always something new to learn. Just when you’ve hit a brick wall, there are other mediums, methods, tools, styles, colors, materials, etc., to try to expand your practice and keep you inspired.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Right now, I’m excited to collaborate in a spatial sense—whether it’s painting furniture, creating immersive installations, or working on sculptural pieces. If there’s a project or idea that aligns with these mediums, I’d love to help bring it to life!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amarijadeart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amarijadeart/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amari-jade-a21999193/
Image Credits
Austin Lee
Justin L Williams
