Conversations with Jay Michael Balmes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Michael Balmes.

Hi Jay Michael, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a fully self-taught artist, and my path into art wasn’t traditional. It really started during a period of recovery when I was younger, and I was still in recovery at home following a lengthy hospital stay due to a life-threatening illness. To pass the time, I began drawing using materials my mother had around the house. She’s an artist and fashion designer, so creativity was always present around me, but at the time, it was more about having something to do to keep me busy rather than building anything intentional.

Years later, after moving into a new apartment back in NYC, I came across those early drawings again while home on a visit. Around that same time, I saw a call for entries for the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series in Complex Magazine and decided to submit my work. I was selected out of thousands of entries as one of the 20 regional finalists in the New York City area, and that moment really shifted things. The night of the opening brought together all of my different friend groups that may not have met each other over the years, and knowing it was the art that brought everyone together truly inspired me.

From there, I just began creating non-stop. About a year later, I had my first solo exhibition in NYC, which has since led to exhibitions all over the world, commercial and residential murals, and collaborations with brands such as PUMA, Urban Outfitters, Nepenthes, Faith Connexion, and more.

My work today is rooted in abstraction and driven heavily by music, emotion, and subconscious processing. It’s very intuitive—less about control and more about translating internal experiences into something visual.

More recently, my move to Atlanta after a few years in LA, and my first solo exhibition here, In Due Time (inspired by the Outkast and Cee-Lo song of the same name), marked another chapter. It reflects a period of growth, transition, and learning to trust the process—both in life and in the work.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road whatsoever. My relationship with art started during a very difficult time, and in a lot of ways, that set the tone for how I create. Art has always been tied to processing, not just expression.

There have been a lot of moments of uncertainty along the way—figuring things out without a traditional path in the art world, navigating life in different cities, and balancing stability with the need to create. There are also internal challenges—doubt, patience, and learning to trust yourself when there isn’t a clear roadmap.

But those struggles are also what shape the work. A lot of what I create now comes directly from those experiences—growth, hesitation, belief, and learning to trust timing.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work lives in abstract expressionism, primarily using acrylic and ink. It’s very intuitive and rooted in emotion, music, and subconscious processing. I’m especially known for how deeply music influences both my work and my process—each piece is almost like a visual translation of sound, rhythm, and feeling.

Nothing I create is premeditated or sketched out beforehand. The process is completely free-flowing. I work instinctively, allowing gesture, movement, and energy to guide the composition in real time. That approach makes each piece feel immediate and honest—more like a captured moment than something constructed.

What sets my work apart is that it sits at the intersection of different lived experiences. Alongside my studio practice, I’ve spent over 15 years working as an operations and strategy executive in the fashion and marketing industries, building brands, partnerships, and go-to-market strategies. That background has shaped how I think about storytelling and composition. There’s a balance between instinct and structure that comes through in the work.

I also spent about ten years volunteering with after-school arts programs in NYC, and I continue to teach mindful art and mentor creatives to this day, especially those finding their way in the fashion industry. That’s a big part of what drives me. I enjoy helping people build confidence in their voice and showing that there isn’t just one path into creative work.

What I’m most proud of is that the work is real. It’s evolved alongside my life. Throughout different environments, challenges, and growth, it’s stayed grounded in honesty. I’m not trying to replicate a style or fit into a category. I’m focused on creating something that people can feel and connect with in their own way.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can work with me in many different ways. I’m always open to collaborations at the intersection of art, fashion, and culture. Whether that’s brand partnerships, product collaborations, or live art and experiential activations. I also take on select commissioned pieces and mural projects when the opportunity aligns.

Beyond that, supporting the work can be as simple as engaging with it—attending exhibitions, sharing it, or collecting pieces. (available works and pricing available upon request). I also spend time teaching mindful art and offer consulting services for emerging businesses in need of advisors and strategic guidance in fashion, retail, and eCommerce.

At the core, I’m interested in working with people and brands that value authenticity and want to create something meaningful together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jmbworkspace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmbworkspace/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbalmes