Meet Je’wel Lucas: Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Je’wel Lucas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Je’wel, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factors behind my success are practicing patience and self encouragement. Entrepreneurship is HARD. It’s not a get rich quick scheme, it requires a lot of mental and physical hard work. Nothing is overnight. I have a lot of goals I didn’t achieve when I wanted to, a lot of products that flopped, etc. Being patient enough to see these obstacles through and realizing that failure is only a redirection helped me get my head back in the game to keep working towards my vision.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been painting for about 6 years now. I have been an artist my whole life, though. It took some growing up to really realize who I was, much like anyone else. I went through phases of thinking I wanted to be a doctor or psychologist because I thought I needed to work a job that makes the most money and even if I was good at drawing, I didn’t think I could ever make a career from it. Over the years of practicing and other people cheering me on, I was motivated to take it seriously. I started getting arts supplies for Christmas and birthdays and I took a couple arts classes in high school. From there, I started my brand. It’s been a very long journey and I still feel like I’m at the beginning. It hasn’t been easy. I have so many unfinished and discarded canvases from over the years. I like to keep them so I can see how much I’ve grown as an artist. Creating art has really bought me closer to my authentic self. I don’t think I would be where I am today as an individual without it. After 6 years of painting, I am just now dedicating myself to my own individual art style, that goes to show that art is really a game for the long run. One thing I would say to anyone who may also be an aspiring artist of any kind is never stop creating. Even if what you do is a hobby right now, keep it going. You never how tapping into your creative self can change Your life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For a summer time vacay in Atlanta, the first stop is downtown. You can literally stay down there all day and night and have a ball. I think you can see the coolest things and people downtown Atlanta. It’s so diverse. Depending on where you are exactly, you might even see a celebrity or drive by a Ferrari. I love being outside so I’d probably get some ice cream and chill at Centennial Park. Maybe swing by the trap museum for some cute pics, ball out at Lenox mall, and ive never been but I’ve always wanted to go to Slutty Vegan!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have such an incredible support group within my loved ones. Shoutout to my father, firstly. He always believed in me and was determined that I would accomplish anything I set out for myself. Thank you, also, to my mom, my favorite auntie Cherie and my boyfriend Justice. These individuals definitely helped me level up this year and always give me their support.

Website: BlackJewels.us
Instagram: instagram.com/black.jewelss
Twitter: Twitter.com/black_jewelss