Meet Jalaa’a Brinsley | Conceptual Artist & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jalaa’a Brinsley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jalaa’a, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
My initial thought was “How can I be self sufficient, practice healing, and enjoy all of my creative passions?”. The solution I found, is to use creative passion to become self sufficient and heal. I needed to figure out how to put all of my artistic practices into a creative order.
The name E.T.H.E.R. is abbreviated for Essence, Texture, Height, Evolve, and Rouse. To represent the objective of the business.
While the word Ether means energy, creative movement is what fuels the mission.
The mission statement is written in the form of a poetic mantra. Which can be used as a metaphoric guide to Self love. Read it then repeat.

Love is the first act
of a manifested prayer
that center the seed
Powered by
Light expanding
the aura
of flames
burning rings of fire
around the earth & galaxy
emanating positive energy
compelling the power of

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.
Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about.

A fascination for nature, sacred geometry, and light mechanics is what heavily influences my Artistic expression. Being raised muslim by a Jamaican Mother who speaks fluent Arabic and Patois has also given me a unique perspective on life.
While having a multifaceted background enriched my imagination, curiosity for the science of nature initially propelled my creative appetite. I enjoy exploring a variety of art interpretations such as drawing, painting, woodwork, sewing, collage, graphics, wire wrap, the list goes on.

I’m proud of the moments when I see the full fruition of an art project that I had envisioned months or years prior. I feel elated when I can share the realization of a dream with others.

How did you get to where you are today professionally?

I learned at an early age that I can attain success using creativity as a means to survive mentally, emotionally and financially. From selling reshaped crayons in elementary school to vending handmade clothes, jewelry and Art years later. My entrepreneurial spirit mixed with a creative drive has opened many doors for me.
Spending hours drawing as a child is what gradually refined my skills in realistic portraits.
By 17 I lived on my own while attending college for Graphic Arts. After graduating, I coasted for years doing graphic design jobs, art commissions and multiple unrelated jobs. Eventually, I realized that I had no desire to sit in front of a computer all day. A deep longing to create hands-on art compelled me to take a risk and start my own business selling Handmade clothing, jewelry and Art.
My passion for the creative process fueled me to research and teach myself how to sew, make wire wrapped crystal jewelry, and Print art on T-shirts. When I wore my creations out, It attracted a lot of great attention. That’s what convinced me to go full speed into fashion and jewelry design.
I had the first Ether Movement Pop up shop on 11/11/11. It was my first time collaborating with other talented artists to feature live music and poetry, while I sold my Art, clothing and jewelry creations. The turnout was very successful.
Years of making Art, Clothes and Jewelry has opened up a world of amazing experiences and opportunities. I met so many talented people on this journey. Art has paved the way for me to travel to Taiwan for a paid gig assisting in painting a 9 story tree mural, at the atrium of a hotel. Designing Fashion attracted an offer to sell handmade clothing and Jewelry at AfroPunk, and later design multiple wardrobes for a music group that toured around the world.
One of my childhood dreams came true when a curator asked to feature some of my Art pieces in a Gallery. Using my creativity attracted so many other great adventures along the way and inspired me to dream bigger.

Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

My journey is likened to a rollercoaster ride. Terrifying at times, yet fun and exhilarating.
Making art has always helped me to maintain a sense of clarity, center of self, and space for healing.
What keeps me going is the driving force to overcome life’s difficulties by using raw creative expression.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way.

My entire life is a collage of creative adventures. I learned that taking risks will give great stories to tell. The trials and tribulations from experimenting with different creative processes, has taught me that perfection is unattainable. Art has reinforced within me a greater understanding that creative energy is a true manifesting power. The journey to self discovery is calm and chaotic, however a fun experience nonetheless. To maintain sanity, It’s important that I relish in the creative process whether simple or complex. This is how I enjoy myself through pain.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

l use art as an energetic field to transmute tensions from my struggles, while observing the correlation between pain and pleasure.
My art is a representation of nature’s dualistic and geometric patterns. It reflects the energy of peace while acknowledging the purpose of chaos.
My art expresses a balance of how nature creates, and simultaneously destroys.
That the most revolutionary persons come from the most tragic experiences.
If the viewer’s perception has been shifted into a deeper understanding of life, My art is a success.

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 spend lots of time at the park so we’d visit prospect for an early day walk. Go hiking at the Brooklyn Bouldering Project. Have a midday cool off with some delicious vegan food at Natures blend . Enjoy a relaxing at the closest nail Spa, And for a good turn up, hit up the best Hookah lounge. Theres a limitless supply of entertainment in this city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out some of my loving sisters that encouraged, inspired and supported my growth throughout the years. Jasiri Nkalati a Yogi/ Spiritual life Coach/Poetic mover, Loving mother @askjasiri, @lifeforceportal.
Moon Haynes, Licensed massage therapist, spa retreat coordinator, loving mother @sagemoonmassage, @moonwanniesage. And Janelle DaSilva, Boss lady who is Co founder with her beautiful daughter who is the C.E.O of Rose Cosmetics and Rose Statement Pieces @bosslady_jep, @rose.statement.pieces, shop.rose.cosmetics.

Website: www.ethermovement.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rainbow-light-69894945

Twitter: @ethermovement

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4mvyUYZdvl5gU8IwqncwiQ

Image Credits
Issa Khari