Jazzmine Bustamante

ARTIST & GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Brooklyn, NY

Favorite musical artists of all time?

So, turns out I don’t have favorites of all time. But I do songs:

1. “Jireh” Elevation Worship x Maverick City

2. “Love of My Life (Ode to Hip Hop)” Erykah Badu

3. Moonlight Sonata in C# Minor

4. “In A Sentimental Mood” Duke Ellington x John Coltrane

5. “Remember the Time” Michael Jackson

6. “RESPECT” Aretha Franklin

7. “Paulette” Balla et ses Balladins

How do you keep your creative drip going? 

I’m a multi-talented creative with a lot of hobbies. I was blessed with a natural inclination to learn new things — I’m kind of like a sponge when it comes to learning. I’m always ready to develop a new skill or perfect my talents. Because I have so many hobbies, I work on different projects in the middle of working on larger visions and ideas. I also take a lot of breaks. I allow myself the space to spend time with myself, take time, spend time with God, and live. I assume a lot of people would think that doesn’t help, but these things actually help me the most.

If you could talk to your favorite creative for an hour, who would it be and why? 

Post-humus: Dr. Maya Angelou. Her work changed my life and I’m forever grateful for that imprint.

Alive: 2 people.

Kehinde Wiley. I think seeing his artwork for the first time at Fort Worth Modern was a pivotal moment for me creatively. I was blown away by his paintings in a way I’d never really experienced before. It was the first time I saw Black people/POC-centered in artwork in that way. I’d honestly love to be mentored by him creatively, and possibly be taught by him how to paint.

Ashley Johnson. She’s just amazing and truthfully an angel of God on earth. In addition to photography, she has a talent for art and creative direction. But what I appreciate the most about her is her willingness to pour out and share all of her interests and talents with people in a way that’s genuine and sacred. I’d love to just talk with her about life.

What is the last thing you learned?

Spiritually: A prophetic message in John 14:18

Musically: The first 5 measures of Moonlight Sonata in D Minor

Currently: How to practice reprogram my mind by studying neuroplasticity and using Dr. Caroline Leaf’s Neuro-cycle app.

What advice would you give to your younger self? 

Don’t let other people tell you who you are and don’t be afraid to be different from everybody else. It might not always feel great standing out, but you were born to be different and to stand out. You have so much more in you than the people around you can see, keep letting your light shine anyway.

What advice would you give to creatives of color looking to pursue their passion full-time?

God gave you your talent(s) for a reason. Use your talents. Your talents will facilitate your gift(s). If you don’t know them yet, you will with time. And when you find out what that thing is, communicate it through your work and run with it. If God calls you to pursue a thing, step out and go. It won’t always be a high ride; there will be lows. C’est la vie. Still, keep believing, and don’t be afraid to shift. There’s always more than one way to get there. Take a step back, wait for clarity, then keep moving. You got this. Hold onto faith. Write down all of your visions, goals, ideas, desires. Make them as clear as possible and then take the small steps first. Do one thing a day. Take time to take care of yourself and take time to work toward your goals. You don’t have to grind and hustle, but you do need to make room for both. Practice your skills. Use your talents. Be proud of your work. Take time to celebrate your wins — ALL OF THEM. Small job? Celebrate. Big job? Celebrate. Lastly, Don’t be afraid if your stuff isn’t like everyone else’s stuff. Don’t be afraid to not make work like everybody else. Don’t be ashamed of your vision — it’s purposeful and needed. Keep going anyway because there’s value in your voice. It will get there, and even if it doesn’t, you’ll be able to look back without any regrets.

What do you do?

I make art and I make things to share with people. When I think about that question, I get antsy because I couldn’t really put into a single word or phrase what it is I “do.” To some people I’m an artist, to others I’m a graphic designer. I’ve spent a lot of my life allowing everyone but myself to give me because I wouldn’t know how to name it. I make art that makes people feel and respond in an emotional, spiritual, mental way. I make things that carry loving energy that other people can enjoy and hold onto and share with each other. I build things from ideas and watch them become tangible objects that people can enjoy.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on the release of two books. One is a poetry and hymn book that’ll be launching in September 2021. The other is a 5-volume series called SOIL — it’ll be out October 2021 (currently working on creating a virtual exhibition for this release). Also, working on a series of digital collages called “Visions of the Promise[d] Land” as well as developing mixed media artwork for a body of work called Hot Combs and Hair Grease.

What inspires you?

God — the Most High. Truthfully, He’s the reason I have these creative gifts.

Growing through life — I recently learned that my artwork is a deeper mediation on others and self and I’m really excited to see where that takes me creatively. My art, quite literally, grows and evolves as I do. 

Family & friends — without them, I wouldn’t have experienced all the things that account for the insight and wisdom I have today. They keep me motivated and they keep me encouraged in different ways.

Nature & the Earth — it yields, it grows, it transforms, it lives. I don’t know how to explain it beyond that. This beautiful world we get to live in deserves greater care, compassion, and appreciation than we’ve shown.

Describe your dream job. 

It would be pretty cool to have a gig with a musical theatre or an orchestra for their performances where my artwork would be featured and animated to follow the rise and fall of the instruments during the performance. My vision for myself artistically is to continue creating artwork that’ll be exhibited globally but is also accessible for organizations in some way.

What skill(s) would you develop of you had more time?

Classical piano, classical ballet, film photography

What industry blogs/websites/podcasts do you enjoy?

I don’t follow too many design-related things, mostly inspirational websites/pods. Right now, I’m really enjoying Dr. Caroline Leaf’s podcast “Cleaning Up the Mental Mess.” That’s been a really interesting listen lately.

What do you think the future holds for people of color in creative industries? 

I’ve seen a significant uptick in creative opportunities for BI&POC creators and artists. I believe the present moment is reflective of the times and the revelation we were witness to in 2020. I’m hopeful that the future continues to be bright when it comes to industry-provided opportunities. I’m also hopeful to see more opportunities of ownership for BI&POC creatives and artists by way of making our own tables where we don’t see any, and then providing seats for others once “we’re on.”