Meet Jamey Franklin | Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamey Franklin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamey, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’m not sure I ever have, but I’ve always known that I simply had to make art. I think that having multiple income streams means your art can be more genuine and authentic. So I have a whole other career which I also enjoy to make sure all my needs are met, and I can make whatever art I want without ever having to compromise. That system works well for me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I learned early on that the art I wanted to make was a bit unusual, and may not sell consistently, but I liked it and enjoyed making it, so I needed to have alternate, consistent sources of income. If you’re not relying on selling your art immediately to pay your rent and bills, your art can be a lot more free. I felt that was the best path for me, at least in the early stages of my creative life, so I pursued a career in research, something else I enjoy and feel passionate about. I ended up doing cancer epidemiology research for 16 years, and recently made a switch to acute stroke clinical trials. This rewarding day job has allowed me to balance my work and and my artmaking, where I can take my time on any given drawing or painting without pressure to sell. The only downside is that I probably don’t make as much art as I’d like in terms of volume, but that’s balanced by the fact that I make what I want, when I want. I think that has immense value.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Definitely all the major art galleries and museums in the area. I’m particularly fond of the Hardy and Nance Studios.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been very fortunate to have connected with some incredibly talented and driven artists here in Houston, and it’s been inspiring to get to know so many of them on a personal level and watch them grow and their art evolve and change with them over the years. We have a wonderful and supportive community of artists that all overlap and influence each other, and I’m very grateful to be here.

Website: facebook.com/jameyfranklinart
Facebook: facebook.com/jameyfranklinart
Other: chiasma.bandcamp.com

Image Credits
Jamey D. Franklin