Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Charles-Etuk.
Jackie, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’m a Software Engineer and Illustrator from Nigeria, living in Boston, MA. I moved from Abuja, Nigeria in 2010 to start college in Rochester, NY and lived there for 5years. In 2015, I moved to Boston to start my current day job and have been a happy resident of Allston since!
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember, but I recently felt so moved to act when I saw the quote: “create the things you wish existed”. I wanted to see more representations of the everyday black woman. I wanted to see black women – with Afros and without – hanging out with friends, walking their dogs, having brunch, and just existing: so, I’m creating them. I draw my women as light, dainty and fashionable illustrations sometimes with markers, sometimes digitally!
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
I think the conditions for artists today are like never before – thanks to social media. It is an amazing way for people to showcase and promote their work, all without leaving the comfort of their homes. The connections that could be made, and the opportunities that arise from these platforms are endless.
I’m grateful that I am an artist in the age of social media. I don’t know 1,000 people, but because Instagram exists, I know when I create something new and post it – at least that many people are going to have seen it by the end of the day. It’s incredible!
The hardest part, in my opinion, is converting those views and acknowledgments into actual sales. This is where I think cities can help by organizing local exhibitions, and avenues for people to showcase their work in-person as well. Because as much as I love technology for making us aware of new artists, there is value as well in meeting them face-to-face, and fostering that personal connection to their work.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
You can find my work on Instagram: @jvllustrations, my website: www.jvllustrations.com, and while I create them if you’re ever standing behind me on the B-Line train in the mornings! 🙂
I also sell my work as prints, phone cases, calendars, and t-shirts on my Etsy store www.etsy.com/shop/jvllustrations!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jvllustrations.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jvllustrations
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/jvllustrations
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
