Interview by Jimon

1-What is your earliest childhood memory of making art?  Unfortunately, my earliest memory of making art is in third grade ceramics class, with the world’s worst art teacher. She ridiculed my mushroom sculpture. I had added little red clay polka-dots balls on the top, because I thought it would more fun. Apparently red polka dots were not part of the lesson. After that little experience I assumed I wasn’t an artist. The idea of painting again didn’t emerge again until I was 35. I guess I had enough therapy by that point to cover the mushroom incident.

2-What did your path to becoming an artist look like?  It was oddly rather accidental. I began painting after telling a friend that I wished I could paint, but didn’t know how. The friend said, “So. Just paint.” It hadn’t even occurred to me that I could “just paint.” This was in 2003 before YouTube, and people were still using the internet like Yellow Pages, but I bought a few art supplies and started painting. Soon after, my house (with my paintings hanging in it) was featured on a home tour. People started asking who the artist was and if they could buy the art. I laughed and replied “get the f*ck outta here? Seriously?” Anyway, that’s how it all started and it’s been a wild ride since.

3-Where did you grow up and how did that affect you as an artist?  I’m a Cajun girl from South Louisiana. Cajuns are resilient people who hug tight, look you in the eye to ask how you’re doing and want a real answer. I think this lends itself to creating work that feels bold and honest with a touch of sass. It also helps as an ‘artrepreneur’ because tenacity and resilience are not optional in this game.

4-Where do you currently live and create?  I live and create in Austin, Texas.

5-How would you describe yourself as an artist?  Tenacious, sassy, playful and real.

6-Do you have motto on how to live life?  “What’s the best that could happen?”

7-What is the most extravagant thing you have done?  I can’t tell you. 😉

8- What influences you as an artist?  I attempt to be very present when I paint…feeling the feels and letting the paint tell the story of my current experiences. I want to communicate externally what’s bubbling up internally. This is why I meditate before painting: to get grounded in order to tell as honest a story on the canvas as possible.

9-Do you have a place/person/thing that you visit for inspiration?  I’m constantly inspired by people and their ability to rise. I recently created a body of work called “The Rebel Series” as an ode to those who rebelliously defied the odds. Included are Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, Willie Nelson and Jesus.

10-When you are not painting where would someone find you?  Playing outside, kitchen dancing, or reading about spirituality and metaphysical quantum physics.

11-Why make art?  It’s one of my greatest honors to be an artist. The world desperately needs artists right now to provide beauty, to make visible our common experience and to bring joy and light. I truly believe that Art, in all of its forms, elevates us to better places.

12-The future is _________?  Always in our favor.

13- How do you describe success as an artist?  Showing up at the canvas and creating fabulous, honest art that deeply resonates with others. Plus a jet.

14- Name three things you can’t live without in your studio?  Music, high quality paint, and good light.

15- If you could have dinner with 3 artists living/dead who would be at your table?  Kehinde Wiley, Frida Kahlo, and Maya Angelou (you didn’t specify what type of artist 🙂 )

16-How would someone find you on Social media?  Instagram @jodie_king_ ,  YouTube (Jodie King Art) and Facebook- Jodie King Art