Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaquelyn Puma.
Jaquelyn, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Art was always natural to me. When I was very little, I was obsessed with colors. I began color organizing crayons at the age of five. When I got a little older, around elementary school, I was fascinated with eyes and drawing faces. I would take my drawings from class to class and work on things every day. In high school, I remember my next love was lettering. I would practice letters daily and needed everything to look perfect. I started combining letters (words) and drawings at 14 – and I created my new style. I sold my first piece of art in high school and then that was it I was hooked. Anything art related was what I gravitated towards. I drew any chance I could get. In class, out of class whatever wherever. I loved drawing from fashion and tattoo magazines like Vogue and especially Inked Mag. I went to college for art and began to really get into my career. And shortly after began my tattoo apprenticeship. I was showing art regularly at 22 and the rest is history. 🙂
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh not at all! I struggled for years trying to get my art into galleries. Learning spray paint and acrylic was a huge learning curve. I remember when I graduated college I was seeking knowledge of spray paint and murals and no one I knew at the time knew how to manipulate caps the way that I was seeing on Instagram. After a few months of trying to learn to spray paint and graffiti in my garage in New York, I picked up everything and drove to Florida obsessed with Wynwood and what wonder was on the walls. I went all over met everyone I could and took in everything I could grasp in the mural world. People saw my passion but I did a lot of free work in the beginning.
Please tell us about JPUMA.
I am a painter, by trade, I do custom works for clients in spray paint and acrylic. I usually like to paint abstract/pop art; A sort of mix between strong outlines and very vibrant colors. I love to paint anything current – anything cool. Like people and things that are trending. I am also a tattoo artist, I tattoo at Stefano’s Tattoo Fort Lauderdale. I love to tattoo in illustrative style – dark outlines and storybook-like drawings. What makes me different from everyone else is my passion for the arts. I would have to say I truly feel my work and love every second of what I am doing. When you buy a piece from me, you are buying a piece of my soul. I feel very connected to everything I create.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
This is a great question. I would have listened more at a younger age. I would have soaked up a lot more. I also would have gone out a lot less. I think when your young and in the art scene you want to be everywhere with everyone. I would have locked myself inside and developed my talent. But, I regret nothing who I am and what I’ve experienced is all necessary for the story of my work. I had to be introduced to the people I did meet and see the world the way I did in order to create the work I create. As an artist, your experiences mold you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: art lifestyle and tattoo:@jpumaa, @jpumapaints, @jpumatatts
- Website: www.thejpuma.com
- Phone: 914-479-8314
- Email: jpuma.art@gmail.com
Image Credit:
@artcrazyphotog, Sean Wilson
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