Meet Antoinette Jones | Multi-Media Artist

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

Hi Antoinette, what’s your definition for success?
If it’s okay I’m going to combine two questions. Because I think my definition of success is based heavily on my satisfaction with my work-life balance; both of which have changed drastically over time.

I’ve been a visual artist for a little over 5 years now and for a good part of that I would’ve defined success by the numbers (the likes, the engagement, the growth, the sales, etc.). But throughout my journey, I have realized the dangers of basing your idea of success on something that will waver.

If you base your worth on what other people think of you or your work you will be let down every single time. I’ve seen people who are successful in their businesses but miserable in every other aspect of their lives.

This is also the reason you can’t compare and base your idea of success on their lives. It may look good on the surface but you have no clue what is hiding behind the image they present. There’s a verse in Matthew 16:26 that says, “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?”

So when it comes to having a work-life balance I don’t want to be chasing success, or my idea of it, so much that one day I look up and all of the very things I have been working so hard for are gone. I don’t want to be working so much that I miss out on time with my family, or never even get to rest and enjoy the fruit of the labor.

And this isn’t to say we shouldn’t have goals, it’s always good to have things to work towards but I think these milestones we set should be the byproduct, not the finish line.

I’ve gotten to a point in my journey when I realized that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life, and Lord willing that’s still a ways away. Which means I have plenty of time to build, fail, and try again. That peace allows me to rest and know that even if it isn’t happening right now, it will. I love the quote “Life is a sprint not a marathon”, because it’s really just a reminder that it’s okay for things to start small.

We might want the viral moment or the overnight success, but patience builds perseverance and character. Which allows you to sustain rather than building to burn out.

So with that being said I would now measure and define my success on the way that my work is able to impact and help others. I truly believe that we have the gifts we have for a reason and that sole purpose is to serve others. I love this quote by Mother Teresa that sums it up perfectly, “’We are not called to be successful, but faithful.”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My name is Antoinette Jones and I have been an artist for a little over 5 years now. I started painting in 2019 when I got the idea to try to paint a portrait of my son. I used a technique that I remembered from my middle school art class to execute the idea and to my surprise, it actually turned out.
From there I slowly started to make paintings for friends and family which then expanded to having my art in more than 150 homes across the US and Canada. I have had the privilege of working and collaborating with different local organizations such as Carvd N’ Stone, Cultivate, and the East Side Art Lot.
When I got started with art, painting was very therapeutic for me. I was going through a lot of life changes and it came just at the perfect time to get me through that. But as my journey progressed I started experimenting with many different mediums from acrylics to watercolor, colored pencils, pastels, and spray paint. I couldn’t get enough. I eventually started to realize that my creativity wasn’t limited to the canvas. I started to see the way that this creativity sparked my interest in writing and studying various topics. I started to see how the lessons I was learning from my art were ministering to me in other areas of my life. This is where ‘Creative Views’ was born, an idea that is still in the works along with some other projects I have been working on. 
I now find myself constantly pushing the boundaries of my creativity and inspiring other artists to do the same. I am currently in the process of pursuing my undergraduate degree in Graphic Design and navigating my voice in the digital art world. 
If there’s one thing that I want other artists, or just anyone in general, to get from my story and journey it is that you have something to offer. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem the work you put out and the impact you have is valuable and necessary. 
We live in a world where there is so much art and creativity all around us. There are so many talented creatives out there and that used to intimidate me. Until I realized that this is actually what makes art so beautiful. I believe we are all creative in some capacity but just like we are all unique, so is our creativity.
That’s what keeps me going because even now as a multifaceted artist, it would be easy for me to say, “So and so is already doing that I guess I can’t”, but I say that’s the exact reason why I should. If you truly believe that what you have to offer has value, put it out there. Someone may have heard or seen something a billion times but it might be the way that you put it that speaks straight to their heart. 
So even though I have no clue where this journey will lead me, I like to sum up my artistic journey in just 3 words; I was simply ‘Created to Create’.

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.
Even though I was born and raised in Milwaukee I’m a sucker for the MKE classics. So a trip to the Milwaukee Public Museum, the art museum, or the zoo, a good picnic, and a walk by the lake would definitely be on our agenda!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In the end of 2021 into 2022 I was in the darkest season of my life. Just going through so many losses and changes was extremely hard on my mental health. But thanks to my wonderful family, friends, and church home I was able to get through that season triumphantly. Their awesome support has always given me the courage and confidence to push the boundaries of my creativity and walk into all that God has for me. So even though this journey has been full of lots of twists, turns, and sometimes uncomfortable changes, I know that no matter what happens I’m in good hands.