Today we’d like to introduce you to Jarleel “JD” Earby.
Hi Jarleel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up without a voice. By this, I mean that I pretty much NEVER spoke unless it was needed. My mother is a pretty dominant person, so she always spoke for me as I was growing up. When kids are young and don’t talk, people just assume that they’re shy. Later, my mother realized that I needed to talk sooner because she learned that I had developed a speech impediment. Being embarrassed of it, to express myself, I chose to draw. In the middle of class, I’d draw. In the car, I’d draw. At home when I supposed to be asleep, I’d draw. It came natural to me. Through art, there aren’t any rules that need to be applied. You can’t correct the grammar of a painting! My inspiration has always been Walt Disney and the empire he has created. I’m pretty sure that I rewatch a Disney movie every other day! After going through university, I picked up on many other forms of media including graphic design, film, storytelling, and painting. It made me realize that I, too, can build my own enterprise, but in my own way. It’s always been the dream and every day; it’s being confirmed more and more that I’m on the right path.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
OF COURSE IT HASN’T BEEN A SMOOTH ROAD! Good Lord! My biggest struggle was my mindset. I’m not going to lie. I know I’ve been stubborn and close-minded in the past. I remember when my sister constantly told me that I should get into painting. I refused to because I thought it was “too much” and just kept trying to take the easy route. All I was doing was missing out on opportunities. About two years from when my sister first started suggesting to paint, I tried it. Like a wildfire, I began getting a consistent flow of paint requests. Along with that, my name got through Atlanta and now I’m in some of the biggest art groups in Atlanta, showcasing my work and being a curator for art events.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an artist of multiple mediums. I mainly paint and am an art curator. Drawing and painting are 1000% my specialties. Side projects that I have include oil pastel pieces, book illustrations, denim jacket designs, and graphic design. I also mentor students that trying to see where they fit in the art and media world. I’m most proud of my first solo art show I produced because it provided a wide array of entertainment and enlightenment! I was actually shocked to see how well my organization and networking skills were. What sets me apart from others is that I know how to cater art to various audiences. such as my love collection. Love is what fuels me to dip my paintbrushes into paint and then onto a canvas. With this said, I put my emotions into my work to create passionate pieces that everyone can enjoy.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was in my own world, like all kids are. As mentioned previously, I didn’t talk much, but instead expressed myself through my drawings. Often, my parents would have the family to take trips to places including Disney World, Sea World, and Lego Land. Going to theme parks like these sparked my creativity. The people who create theme parks have a strong expertise in creating a memorable, rich experience that will influence you to do grand things in life. So, I’ve always been someone with a big dream, who’s working on making it a reality. To become the great artist I am today, I took a plethora of art courses and even studied on my own. That’s how badly I want my dream to become a reality.
Contact Info:
- Email: Earby.studios@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Jdthe_artist @Earby.studios
- Facebook: Earby Studios
Image Credits
Lauren Gray
