Meet Barnett Jordan | Artist

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

Hi Barnett, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
Being the best me makes me happy. It sounds cliche but it is true. When I am striving to be the best me I work out, eat healthier, go throughout my day with more positive energy, and my creative thoughts flourish. These things all intern make me happy. I never want to look back in life and say wow I had so much potential but it was too hard or people would judge me so I didn’t go for it. Being unique makes each individual amazing, and I know I am amazing, but the thought without action is moot, so I pursue to act just as great as I know I am. Throughout my 29 years of life I have seen that once you work on yourself and just try to be better, all your wants fall into place and magnetically attract to you.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The art I create has been through so many journies and phases. I now large scale create hyper-realistic charcoal portraits meshed with a variety of intricate patterns and the use of vibrant colors. The inspiration behind the style of art I do now stems from my abnormal psychology background, having to go through the Covid-19 pandemic, and my own personal mental state I have experienced. For each art creation, I want to evoke those deeper emotions we all go through on a daily, and play on your childhood “good” vs “bad” conscience. I am most excited about a possible position with the company RAW Natural Born Artist where I would be a community leader and be in charge of creating and setting up my own showcase in my city or region. With this position, I will be able to create opportunities for aspiring creatives and give them a platform to showcase what they do and network. To be a part of something greater than myself, and be someone that young people, especially African Americans can look up to and think wow he did it therefore I can too.
Getting where I am professionally was not easy at all, and I am still going. I have always been creative, attending performing art schools in my early years, one bingThe School of The Performing and Creative Art in Cincinnati, Oh. I would post on Facebook who wants a portrait down and classmates around the city would message me sending me pictures of them. I would charge $25 and post the drawing for everyone to see. This is what I did while everyone else my age went and got fast food jobs. I then Attended College at The University of The Cumberlands on a Track and Field scholarship for Architectural Drafting, but hurt my leg later on and lost my sports scholarship, and could not afford college. Joining The United States Air Force was my Fathers solution and that brought me diversity, stability, and experience, but not time for art. The entire time art was in the mix but never could take the shine. I let money, and other peoples doubt, which became my own, and stop me from going after what I knew I needed to be doing. After six years I took the big leap from active military to a veteran to pursue my art while attending Middle Tennessee State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. I Created my company “Nett Art and Designs” and did commission art for years ranging from abstract acrylic paintings, charcoal portraits of pets and people, art on apparel, and even work for various celebrities, two being Shad Moss (Bow Wow), and Jonathan Kirk (Da Baby). My new endeavor is my company “Stitch Apparel” where I am putting my artwork on apparel, stitching my life of urban streetwear and love of art into one. Both clothing and art are a form of self-expression and I want to embrace both.
My now wife Ashley, my brother Dorian, and my sister Chanel help me overcome the challenges that came with having the dream of being a full-time Artist. Positive reinforcement and love are really the major contributing factors along with the determined personality I have. I have learned that life is either long or short, happy or sad depending on your perception. You create your world, and if you want it, then go for it with full effort, because whether you want to or not life will keep going.
I want to know that my Brand Nett Art and Designs and Stitch Apparel are pro-veteran, Black-owned companies that represent aspiring creatives and the betterment of African American Art and commerce. All it takes is one person to read this and possibly get inspired to better themselves and go after their dreams. Through my Art and Apparel companies, I believe I can achieve new heights!

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.
I am a foodie so the first place I would take friends is to food spots. For brunch, there’s Breakfast at Barneys, and then later on hit the balls at Top Golf. Roc South Cuisine and Cocktails chicken wings are amazing and are great for breakfast. If they are feeling something different Jinya Ramen is a go-to for me. The High Museum of Art for a peaceful vibe or IFly for stomach-turning vibes. 4 urban licks is one of my favorite dinner locations with a dimly lit trendy atmosphere. 5 church in Buckhead has great cocktails and atmosphere and later Sandboxvr is very fun and unique. I love sports as well so if a game is going on you never go wrong with attending a Falcons, Hawks, or Braves game! Finally to have food, outdoor fun, shopping, and even a movie all in one I would take a friend to Atlantic Station.

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 would be remiss not to give the flowers of recognition to my beautiful wife Ashley Jordan. She has loved, encouraged, and supported me through years of pursuing my dreams. Everyone knows it is difficult being with an entrepreneur, let alone an Artist. From deciding after a six-year United States Air Force enlistment to leave and go after my art career, where I felt afraid of the future that may bring, to times when I needed to drive regional semi-trucks 7 days a week to pay for our wedding, Ashley has stood beside me and sometimes behind me simply to push me back up if I felt I was slipping. So for that, I thank you and Love you!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nettartanddesigns/