We had the good fortune of connecting with Bryce Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Bryce, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Genuinely speaking, my thought process behind starting my own business was to create freedom for self. Back in 2018, towards the end of my high school career I started a clothing company. Of course, there were many mistakes made and questions to be asked, but the end goal was to show the world a unique perspective of original cut & sew design.
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.
Well I’ve been an artist throughout my entire adolescence, but I didn’t start to take it seriously until I was looking for a career path after high school. Making art in various forms has always been second nature to me. Whether it was photography, painting, poetry or drawing to a certain extent. With me taking painting seriously as my main career path, I’ve definitely found my lane in a span of 4 years. Neo-Expressionism is the style I’ve decided to utilize and I believe it separates my work from the modern age style of paintings. Most work you see is still fine contemporary with hints of abstract which isn’t my lane at all. I try my best to model my artwork after the late great like Jean-Michel Basquiat, George Condo and many African sculptures.
The process to finding my lane in the art community was actually very difficult, but I pride myself in doing so. The biggest challenge I’ve faced was striving to keep going while I haven’t seen any art sales. Painting supplies are extremely expensive in this economy and to invest in a career where it is 100% consumer based is risky. As I’ve started to overcome the challenge of not having any art sales, I participated in a few art shows and sold one of pieces. It was such a surreal moment for me that I actually cried a bit. That’s when I knew my hard-work was finally paying off.
The most important lesson I’ve learned over the years in my art career was to perfect my craft and find the right lane while remaining true to self. To me, the phrase “True to self” means to be who you are out loud while keeping your integrity and moral ground intact.
Most importantly, what I want the world to know about me is that I am human just like you. I take a lot of pride in doing what I love, because a lot of people don’t get that opportunity so a part of me is representing those individuals as well.
I’m just a young man trying to find his way in this world we call life.
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?
Throughout my journey over the past few years, I’d have to give recognition to my late mentor Kareem Are. He was my brother’s best friend that became family. Kareem made it his business to keep me on track with my creative lifestyle. To this day, I recall many phone calls of us saying to each other that we’re going to sign our first contract together and how the world needs to see my art. Kareem was a very special person to many people around the world & myself. May he continue to rest in peace.
Lastly, there are two more people I’d love to give recognition to in this interview. My team members Nyannah Jeffries and Isaac Ameyaw. They are incredibly talented people that keep me on top of my game creatively everyday. Both photographers based in the DMV, who are well known for their event photography and editorial work.
Thank you Kareem, Nyannah & Isaac.
Website: fournymd.myshopify.com
Instagram: Brycefromiv
Other: LinkedIn: https://linktr.ee/brycejones
Image Credits
Nyannah Jeffries Isaac Ameyaw Larry Lewis