Today we’d like to introduce you to James Davis.
James, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m born and raised in North Carolina. I was born in Lumberton, NC (Robeson County) to James and Loristeen Davis. I’m one of three siblings…(Floristeen, me – the middle kid, and Joshua.) My father was in education, and my mother was a professional hairdresser. When I was young, we moved around the state as my father got different jobs. Looking back, it was these years that I really started to see North Carolina in a special way.
For a time as a child, my family lived in Chatham County. For most of my childhood we lived in Columbus County. From a young age, my parents noticed that I loved all forms of art. During my grade school, I was always encouraged to take any art class school provided since we did not have the money or time for lessons. I learned as much as possible from all my art teachers. I owe them so much!
When I entered high school, my art teacher Mark Bannerman (and his wife), were both professional graphic designers. Mr. Bannerman offered design classes during my four years that gave me a very powerful taste of what life would be like if I decided to go to college for graphic design. Both of them would work on me when Mary Louise brought the kids after school. By this time, my father had passed away, and he always said that he wanted me to explore similar education. Thanks to scholarship money, I attended Fayetteville State University (HBCU) in Fayetteville, NC (Cumberland County).
My four years at Fayetteville State were game-changers for me artistically! The art department was small but made of true artists. As part of my scholarship, I had to pick a location for community service. The Fayetteville Museum of Art was in existence at that time, and I had four beautiful years there working in the Education Department and as a gallery assistance. Seeing what was possible in any artistic medium as well as learning the business of art was huge! The annual North Carolina Artists Exhibition was a highlight! So many artist were happy to share what they learned. Trips to Washington, DC, and New York City to visit national and international art museums still excites me with artistic possibilities. Even more, to hear people express in their own words why they came to North Carolina to study, to live, to make it home…was amazing! So many people fell in love with North Carolina. Then a horrible day happened.
On September 11, 2001, the World Trade Center came down in New York City. I had been there a year before on an FSU trip to see the museums. By this time, I was taking a few extra classes at East Carolina University (Greenville, Pitt County). For weeks people were wearing the world-famous tourist shirt…”I “heart” NY.” Complete understandable. I remember thinking…I love North Carolina. Nowhere did North Carolina have an official image that native-born as well as tourist could rally around as a celebration of the North Carolina culture. NO POLITICS!! An image for all of the mom & pop stores and businesses. An image that, when you saw it, you knew someone had been to a great fishing hole, saw a local band, or supported local farms and businesses. An image for those that went back home outside of North Carolina…all of your friends would want to come visit us and have a good time! That December break, I went back home to Whiteville (Columbus County) and started work on what is now the Love NC logo. Or what I call…The official, UNOFFICIAL, Tourist Logo for North Carolina!
Over the next four years, I put the logo into limited production. I have a lot of family that live in Raleigh, NC (Wake County). I really loved showing off the Love NC Decal all over Raleigh as I drove with the family. Raleigh is the state capital, so for obvious reasons, it felt really good showing it off. Many years have passed, and now I’m looking forward to reaching a brand-new audience. An audience that wants to embrace North Carolina culture and support local businesses. A symbol that all people can embrace just like The State of North Carolina.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There’s been many challenges.
From the beginning, resources, and technology. I created the Love NC logo after my time at Fayetteville State University and during my first year at East Carolina University. As a college student at the time, lack of money to carry out the idea was a huge problem. Having said that, technology was a problem as well. My software was several years behind the current versions, and my computers were about the same. For those of you that remember them, I used a pre-owned G4 Mac that I bought from a lady in Wilmington, NC, and I was using Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and Adobe Illustrator 9.0 (before the Creative Suite). I would scramble to get what I could.
And, of course, how to go you get the word out? Now to younger readers what I’m about to say will sound like science fiction, but…there was a time that social media did NOT exist! So, there was that. I tried talking to some shop owners, but they were not interested in doing business with a college student. I did have a some friends that help me get a few window decals produced…a shirt here and there. However, I had to stay focused on my studies and get working.
In recent years, it has been sickness. My Mother passed away a few months ago from cancer. My siblings and I are still at a loss that she is gone. My Mother fought cancer bravely, and I put everything on hold to help support her and the family. COVID didn’t help either. I feel like this is the first time since the creation of Love NC that I will have a chance to really promote it once we tie up my mother’s affairs.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
As with most people, I’ve held several jobs so far in my life. My previous position I just left due to family obligations, was Public Communication Specialist for the Campus Living Department at East Carolina University. My duties consisted of graphic design, photography, and later social media and updating the department website. I was there over 18 years. It was great meeting and forming bonds with students and their families. It made me feel so good when parents would stop by and chat with me or when I ran into them and their child around campus. Families were always the best part of the job!
What I have done over the years is to create my own design studio, Marvelous Arts, to help others. Marvelous Arts specializes in providing professional photography and creating branding and marketing materials for start-up companies. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to help many people. Sometimes, the work is slower than usual. At those times, I get to focus on my studio brands. Love NC is one of those brands along with pirate-themed brand “Rowdy Rogers.”
What I’m most proud of is always helping those that need it the most. It is still very challenging to get someone to care about your passion. There have been many people that have wanted to start a business but didn’t want to go online to a “logo website” to start their branding process. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of talking with average people that wanted a fighting chance to make their dream a reality. I’ve helped so many regular people just like me. I sleep really good knowing that. People don’t have to ignore someone else’s dream to make theirs succeed. It’s always a marvelous feeling when someone takes the materials you’ve designed an go into the world to make their way. It can be very emotional at times.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
This is going to sound predictable, but I really do thank God for giving me these artistic gifts! God created everything. How he did it, we don’t know, but he did. It’s an honor and a humbling gift to be able to create artwork for my fellow humans.
Next, my family. No matter what I think up, they are positive in their reactions. They have been there when no one else cared to listen. To encourage. To motivate. To love. If this article gets printed, it will be bittersweet because my parents would have had the biggest smile on her face. My father wanted me to go into this field, and my mother took some convincing, but they would be the proudest.
Special shout out to all my family in RALEIGH, NC. I suspect one of you had something to do with this tremendous opportunity. The mother of all hookups is coming at warp speed! 🙂
Of course, my teachers for giving me the knowledge that I needed, and my classmates who hung in there with me. To all of me clients in the past and present, thanks so much for allowing me to help you with your dreams because you helped fulfill mine.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.lovenc.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovencnow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovencnow/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LOVENC100
- Other: http://www.jmsdvs.net/
Image Credits
James Davis
KaBlia Lo
