Very excited to introduce the second person I want to feature on my "Local Artist Spotlight" to you all, Jordan Alexander. To know Jordan is to love her. She's seriously as cool as a fan. Her artwork and style are very fun and especially unique, that's what makes it so great! She recently painted a picture of Notorious B.I.G. for me and I'm obsessed! I will add that photo in the featured artwork below.

MEET JORDAN

Tell me a little about yourself..where are you from and what do you do?

"My name is Jordan Alexander, and have coined the name Jojo for my artist name. I'm 27 years young. I went to college doing general business courses then switched to photography. I'm self taught in painting. Mostly meaning, I just go with the flow and hope it looks cool in the end. Everysingle year has been spent living in Tennessee. Mostly Franklin, and currently Nashville. I'm a nanny for a very spunky two year old, and also love painting."

Why did you or what made you decide to become an artist?

"I became an artist by accident. I was trying to impress my fairly new boyfriend. He had hit up a garage sale and left yearning for an African American Last Supper painting. So obviously, I decided to be impressive and paint it myself. I had so much fun doing it that I didn't stop."

What kinds of art pieces have you worked on? Which one was your favorite and why?

"So far I have worked primarily with acryclic paint on canvas, or wood. I really like to go to Goodwill and upcycle old art or wall hangings. In the very beginning I was overloading on images. I would keep a few in mind and kind of merge them when I started a piece. Then I started getting custom orders. Sometimes I will just get three random words from someone and paint my interpretation. My favorites right now are of musicians. I go through a total emersion of creating until I have nothing to say and take another break. I always love to paint peoples animal friends. I dont have a favorite painting of mine. I like to look and see what I have learned and what I have lost in my evolution."

What has been your most touching or amazing moment that you've experienced as an artist?

"The most touching or emotional experience was deciding that I am an artist, and accepting that I do have a talent in creating. I have never loved doing something so much. I painted several in one night and then went to bed. Usually, I could sleep any where any time.. but not that night. I laid in bed and cried with relief because I had found something I knew God intended for me. It finally cliqued what I was meant to do. How I could bring joy to others, and myself. I stayed up thinking of possibilities and how happy I was to finally meet my true self."

What other artists have been inspirational to you in your work?

"All artists inspire me in some way or another, but I am most inspired by my aunt Provie Musso. Growing up I would go visit her around Alabama, wherever she was at the moment. She would take me places where I could appreciate art whether through architecture or fellow artists homes. She along with other family members always encouraged me to write poetry and be creative. My favorite part though always was going to her studio and spending hours making our own art. She always enjoyed doing "found object". Meaning, she went dumpster diving, or thrift shopping, then does an assemblage. I always loved looking through her trinkets she collected. It felt like treasures."

Anything else you would like to mention that I didn't ask?

"I would just like to mention that sometimes it feels scary not knowing what life really has for you. What you are supposed to bring to the world. I promise that there is something beautiful inside of everyone that comes when the moment is right. Be patient and have faith that you will shine."

FEATURED ARTWORK