You’ve seen her murals around Wynwood, now get to know the talented artist behind the paint!

Tell us a little about yourself, what you do & how you got started…

Hi, I’m Jas9! My real name is Jasmine but I made my artist name Jas9 because I’m born on the 9th of July! It all started when I was 9, I’d galavant in the woods around my cottage with my dog and I’d find abandoned cottages. I found a shed with paint and it to paint the cottage and make it my own club house! It was totally instinctual! I had many attempts of trying to paint a mural but the first real time I seriously painted was in 2009 with my best friend Shanna, we did our first pieces in TA factory…I wrote “ruby” that was my birthstone & my graffiti name!

It was close to my house so we biked there with all our paint in our backpacks and we did our first pieces – I’d go there religiously to practice my craft! Eventually I met a girl named Miss Teri in that factory. She did beautiful renoir like characters and she gave me confidence to start doing characters & portraits. I wanted a wall that was close to my house so I didn’t have to drive or bike to a wall anymore. I got really lucky when I found a wall in downtown Montreal just two blocks from my house that was full of tags. I took a leap of faith and went inside to find the owner; a super nice guy named Michael and he gave me permission let me paint whatever I wanted. Miss Teri and I decided to paint self portraits of ourselves. So when I came to Wynwood in Miami, I had built a very good portfolio practicing in factories and it got easier and easier to get owners to say yes to let me paint their walls! Now I’m ready to start painting murals in different Neighborhoods in Miami and soon around the world!

What has been the most challenging moment?

My most challenging moment was to paint a 60 x 30 foot wall during Art Basel all by myself.  My friend was supposed to come out to help me paint it but he had a high paying gig somewhere else and everyone else in Miami was busy so I had to do it all by myself. I managed to do it all in two weeks. I didn’t think I could do something that big in such little time…it was a real confidence booster! Every single mural presents its own challenges and unfortunately, the public doesn’t always understand what we go through in order to put these pretty pictures on the wall. I make it look really glamorous but it’s a tough craft. You have to love this with all your heart in order to surpass the hurdles in creating a mural! I actually think I spend more time prepping to paint than actually painting!

 

What was the most Braggable moment?

 I recently learned a new expression it’s called “humble brag” by Lena dunham. So, my humble brag would be when I painted a mural of rapper/model, Trina, it gained so much attention that she came to take a photo in front it…and BET came to film us meeting in front of it as well! That was a very organic exciting moment for me! 

What would you say is your biggest weakness?

 My biggest problem in life is that I assume! All my problems stem from assuming. I assume people understand what I’m saying or I assume I have everything before going to the wall now I double check everything I ask so many questions. Im learning to take my time – Im putting alot more work into refining my work and doing things properly. Sometimes if you rush you will have to redo everything and it will take twice as long. I mean i have tons of weaknesses but its all about finding solutions to those weaknesses or people that can help you with your weaknesses.

And your greatest strength?

 My greatest strength is my resourcefulness and determination. I’m a real go-getter and I’m grateful that I’m not shy. There are so many things that can go wrong when you’re painting. For example sometimes the store I’m painting is closed and the ladder is locked away so I’ll go find ladders or build ladders with wood. I’m learning sometimes that the “problems” work to my advantage, they’ve made me resilient and resourceful!  I really don’t quit unless I’ve exhausted all my options and then I let it go & find a new alternative. Once you learn to ‘let go’ your original desires tend to manifest!

What was the greatest lesson you’ve learned from a mistake?

 The biggest mistake I made this year was when I didn’t have a good background for my wolf shot energy mural. I learned how important it is to figure out my background before my foreground. The background is everything. It makes the portraits pop and essentially brings it to life! So, definitely knowing exactly what you need to do in your proposal is important. Oh and to check if there are any bumps on the wall so you place your portrait in a area with smooth cement! The beginning phases are the most important!

 

What do you love most about what you do?

 I love how unpredictable my art is. I never know what the outcome will be or who I will meet along the way. What I love the most is impacting people and sharing my light; I feel like I can do more good being while out painting then in my house doing graphic design. I hope to one day paint murals in third world countries, teach kids how to paint and teach them Abraham Hicks principles that guide you to create your own reality. I want them to know that they can live the lives that they create for themselves.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

I’ve received a lot of  good advice and I’ve had so many mentors. The advice that stands out the most is that you need to really know yourself to be successful at any business, project or relationship. You must know yourself in order to make the right decisions that best suite your lifestyle. You can create your own reality, you just have to be strategic and put yourself in situations that you naturally do well in. For example, I knew I didn’t enjoy to read so I didn’t even entertain the idea of going to law school because it’s a lot of reading!

How do you define happiness?

Happiness is living your truth, doing what you’re most passionate about and living a life of wellness and health. Happiness is progression. As long as you’re better than you were the day before or you improved your life…then you’ll feel happiness!

What book are you currently reading?

 Oh I’m so not a reader, when I have a free moment I always draw. However, I do enjoy listening to audio books while designing. Right now I’m listening to the Attractor Factor by Joe Vitale. He’s helping me change my beliefs and how to manifest amazing things!

What’s a personal habit that you believe contributes to your success?

 I write to do lists all the time and believe that organization is a huge help! Every day I have to complete a certain amount of tasks. I’m all in with my art career and am very focused. Yoga, meditation, eating clean and living a clean and sober lifestyle definitely help me work better! I try to be addicted to good habits!

Have you collaborated with another business in the past?

My favorite business I collaborated with is Infinytoon they are a wooden animal sculpture company from France! We had a big event for my birthday at brick house atomico and I live painted on of the animals. I was really happy with the polar bear I created. We’ll be doing another event next art walk in Wynwood with eight artists! I hope to go out to France and paint a mural for them one day!