Meet Janae White | Visual Artist

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

Hi janae, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued an artistic and creative career because, for a long time, I struggled to express myself in other ways. As a kid, I wasn’t confident in school. I had a hard time with subjects like math and English—I was just getting by. Science and experimenting interested me, but my main focus was basketball. My dream was to make it to the WNBA, so I did just enough in school to be able to play.

Growing up, I heard people call me ditsy or say, “You’re just a girl,” and for a while, I believed them. But in the early 2000s, when creative shows like Project Runway and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition started coming out, something sparked in me. I saw the power of creativity, the ability to experiment and challenge myself in new ways. That’s when I realized I could communicate through art, fashion, decor, and drawing in a way I never could with schoolwork. It was like translating my thoughts and feelings into something people could finally understand.

After college, when my fashion career didn’t take off, I stumbled into painting—just a class at first. But the way painting made me feel pulled me in. Over time, I saw how every experience led me to this point. Everything overlaps—my love for creativity, experimenting, storytelling—it all connects. Now, I create to be heard, to be seen, and to be understood. I create for others who feel the same way, to show that art and creative careers are just as important as anything else. I create because I am needed, art is needed, we are needed.

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.
My art is always evolving—I’m constantly finding new ways to express myself and bring ideas to life. What excites me the most is taking something that others might overlook and transforming it into a piece of art that tells a story. I love the challenge of seeing potential where others don’t, breathing life into a vision, and making it my own.

I’m incredibly proud of the experiences I’ve had so far—showing my work in Miami, collaborating with others, and bringing people’s creative visions to life. Even though I still have so much more I want to accomplish, and there are times when I feel left out or forgotten, I remind myself that I’ve already checked off things on my bucket list that many people only dream of doing. That perspective keeps me grounded, even when the journey is tough.

And it *has* been tough. Every day, I work through doubt and imposter syndrome. Getting denied for projects, being overlooked, and feeling like my work isn’t seen can crush your spirit. But my trust in God has been my anchor. He’s been guiding me through these struggles, keeping me moving forward when I feel like giving up.

As a kid, I was fearless. I didn’t overthink—I just *did.* That’s the part of me I’m trying to reconnect with. Fear isn’t real, and my personal journey now is about breaking through those doubts and stepping back into the boldness I once had. Through my art, I create not just to be seen or heard, but to show others that creativity is powerful, necessary, and worth fighting for. I create because I *am* needed, and I refuse to let fear tell me otherwise.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Food- Rocksteady, Kpot, Ramen, breakfast Boys
shopping, Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, Edgewood,
fun – Your 3rd spot, Piedmont Park, Jeju Sauna, metro Diner, game show battle room
Dance- Rocksteady, MJQ, Domaine, apt 4b, cinnamon toasted
art moves- Peter Street, high frequency Fridays, Atlantatuky,bookstore gallery

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
my friends and fellow artists, Nigel Davis and K Medulla, are creating new experiences at the Bookstore Gallery called the Art Dojo. K Medulla is the curator for the space creating a residency program to bring life to the bookstore gallery. Nigel Davis the 1st resident of the space creates a space to induce creativity for others to join in. his work is his own but so inviting for others to view.

Website: https://merakidynasty.com

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