Conversations with Jalaa’a Brinsley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jalaa’a Brinsley.

Hi Jalaa’a, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in Brooklyn in the late ’80s to early ’90s was quite an experience. I spent many days doing arts and crafts as a coping mechanism that gradually turned into a passion. At ten years old, the family moved to Lithonia, Georgia. I would spend lots of time drawing portraits and continued to add to my pile of character portraits.

Age 13, the After school program I attended recognized my talents and hired me as an art assistant. My job was to assist other students with paintings and mosaics. Early on, I understood that I could use art as a conduit to heal myself mentally, spiritually and to generate currency.

By 17, I attended college for Graphic arts. I coasted by, doing Graphics, art commissions and odd jobs. Until it became clear that my passion was to design and create things with my bare hands. Like building furniture, painting, drawing, and sewing, etc.

After that realization, I started focusing my energy on creating handmade designs. Which included crystal-wrapped jewelry, clothing, and mixed-media art. The first E.T.H.E.R. Movement event was on 11/11/11. It was my first time collaborating with other talented artists. The event featured live music and poetry, along with my pop-up shop.
The turnout was a success. It became evident that this is the path I should be on.

Since then, being an artist and designer has given me many great opportunities. I attracted collaborations with other brilliant artists. Some of my proudest moments include traveling to Taiwan to assist in painting a Mural, vending at Afropunk, designing fashion for musicians, and Having a gallery show.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
If I were to draw my journey on a chart, it would resemble the Himalayan’s most chiseled mountains. The weight of mental illness in my family has taken a toll on my life. Through childhood, I was surrounded by people who suffered from depression, schizophrenia, and other unbalanced mental states. This is why I believe in practicing patience and compassion. Because of this experience, I strive to take care of my mental, emotional and spiritual health.

One of the most challenging things for me is the amount of work that I have to do to keep up with an Art & clothing business. I had to accomplish most of my goals with little to no help. Thankfully, creative expression has always been my anchor in some of the most turbulent situations. Art is my source of fuel to get through the best and worst times.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Having a multifaceted upbringing is the recipe to being an artist. Growing up in a Muslim and Jamaican household gave me a very expanded view on culture, people, language and more. We did things like speak Arabic and patois. We made salat and listened to dancehall music (not at the same time). I realized that no matter how different everything appears to be on the outside, that inside it is all the same. This understanding fueled my curiosity and influenced the way I create.

My fascination for nature, sacred geometry and light mechanics confirmed this notion of a micro macro existence and the dualistic tendency in life’s experience. Diving further into nature and sacred geometry propelled my creative thoughts and appetite to express what I saw/felt in Art.

I generated a need to create, using all sorts of styles such as drawing, painting, mosaic, sewing, graphics, wood works and more. When I am producing art, my focus is on the productivity, mechanism and optical illusion. For example, the Bruce Lee piece is an optical illusion that consists of two portraits. Each portrait appears as you walk from right to left or left to right.

I am proudest when I come up with a design and work diligently to manifest it. I also aspire to encourage and support the growth of another being, especially children. I am most excited when I am able to use my creativity to cultivate a future where children are thriving emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

What are your plans for the future?
My intention is to expand in a way that is sustainable, humane, natural and cultivates growth. In all aspects, Spiritual, physical, psychological and financial. It has always been a dream of mine to provide children that don’t have support or access, with a place that cultivates their mind, body and soul.

Pricing:

• Convertible Reversible Kimono $300
• Harriet Tubman Mixed media $2,500
• Nipsey Hussle Mixed media $5,000

Contact Info:

• Website: ethermovement.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbow_treelight/
• Twitter: @ethermovement
• Other: https://linktr.ee/rainbow_treelight 

Image Credits
LaDee Ursurla