Meet PJ Superior

Today we’d like to introduce you to PJ Superior.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was reborn as PJ Superior on the American interstate highways traveling West to Los Angeles from the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee over six years ago. I was looking to find and nurture acceptance for my lifelong artistic and other magical practices on the west coast, escaping the “Who do you think you even are?” mentality that comes with sharing esoteric feminist expressions in politically conservative territory. I had also sustained marijuana charges in Tennessee and found myself resultantly unable to secure housing in my own name and I was left extremely limited with my work options. I was able to gain community service hours teaching art to children but after probation and jail time, there was no way I could be paid for that same work. I had previously interned at Yee Haw Industries in Knoxville studying vintage letterpress after graduating with a BFA in illustration from SCAD and as I was dealing with the legal system, the founder moved to Santa Monica as The Church of Type where I was able to do some work for the first couple years in Los Angeles.

The Church no longer exists but I’m still in LA, working part-time at New Profanity on Melrose and working on my tattoo apprenticeship with Body Art & Soul while participating in gallery shows and reading tarot for pop-ups and private parties. I may wear many hats but they’re all witch hats- I have many interests but there is the common theme of artistic feminist magic. That’s why I’m PJ Superior- my ego is like the Mother Superior of the many women I actually am inside as if my persona was a nunnery of women each with her own craft and each intersectionally dedicated to the Divine Feminine in all her forms.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Progress of any sort is often not linear. My own road has been a curvy and bumpy one, but I reckon handling such back roads in my Smoky Mountain upbringing carries on into metaphor. First of all, Los Angeles is expensive. Coming here was a huge risk. I previously had to live out of my car and depend on the generosity friends’ couches while on probation in Tennessee so I was prepared from that former experience to live meagerly here. The 99 cent only store was a lifesaver those first couple of years. Fortunately, I wasn’t alone. My boyfriend of the time, now husband, moved with me. We like to think some simple coin spells kept us afloat before he got his current job and I started booking tarot gigs. Honestly, we don’t know how we did it. Losing my relationship with the Church of Type later was difficult.

Then in less than a year, I would lose contact with my family as well. Early in 2016, my mental health took a huge hit when my repeat abuser from childhood died which lead me to breaking away from most of my family. The incident prompted me to seek counseling which has been life-saving. I’ve cultivated a fantastic support system sprawling throughout Los Angeles that has kept me motivated even in my lowest times. I still have great friends across the country too who are more like family now. I’ve been able to heal physically as well with access to affordable Traditional Chinese Medicine where other doctors couldn’t help because I’m allergic to the antibiotics that treat infections from my ulcerative colitis. Access to medical cannabis has also helped with everyday symptoms. I’m hugely grateful to the embrace of alternative medicines on the West Coast.

Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about your work?
As PJ Superior, I am an illustrative artist and tarot card, reader. I’ve fancied myself an artist for as long as I can remember. I have been reading tarot for 13 years but my roots go beyond the age of 18 when I first laid my hands on a real tarot deck. My family played cards frequently while I was growing up and my cousin and I would often make up silly playing card games for ourselves. I had made up one game in which I claimed I could “read her mind” with the cards. I had never heard of tarot but looking back my little game seems rather similar. My long term experience and natural inclination combine to make me a great reader for parties, taking on querent after querent. Esoteric practices continually influence my visual art. One of my specialties are astro portraits. Astro portraits are pencil drawings of customized creatures based on a person’s birthday, combining symbols from various zodiac traditions from around the world. Each astro portrait is unique. As an aspiring tattoo artist (I get my license next week) I hope to create astro portrait tattoos for my clients. I would, however, say that I’m most known for my paintings and drawings of genitals.

Last year, I had a solo show with such a theme called Divine Portals at New Profanity on Melrose. I’m also proud of all the different events I’ve been a part of including parties by The Kitty Cult, Les Femmes Underground, Lizzy Jeff, Littleface, Pussy Powerhouse, Wild Riot and more. On a more personal level, I’m passionate about the work I do with SPARK, a social club for autistic teens. We throw dance parties each year and I lead the decoration committee. This year the teens have chosen a 90s theme. I typically retire the decorations after each dance to East Jesus, an artist community with a public sculpture garden out past the Salton Sea. I’ve been honored to help in creating with various projects at this awesome self-sustaining community in the desert.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Every time I get an astro portrait commission or an Etsy order, I am enlivened and motivated. Every moment another chooses to invest in what I can do is a success to me.

Pricing:

• Astro Portrait (11×14″) $150
• 3 Hours Party Tarot $150
• T shirts $30
• Custom Tattoo Design TBD

Contact Info:

• Email: pjsuperior@gmail.com

Image Credit:
PJ Superior

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