Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonese Pipkin.
Hi Jonese, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
“Like many of us, the foundations of my identity were established at an early age. I was born into a family that valued education, spending time with loved ones, and being of service to those outside of yourself. Some of my earliest memories revolve around finding interest in a thing and spending all my free time practicing or exploring that new love of mine.
One of my first loves was art – drawing, painting, knitting, jewelry making, and even lanyard tying. At my magnet school here in Raleigh, North Carolina the arts program was heavily funded, and we were fortunate to have resources, materials, and enthusiastic teachers to lead us. We all got to creatively express through all the big feelings our little selves felt on the inside. My mother supported my skill development by giving me new challenges to draw. I first learned how to draw from sight during this time and eventually I learned how to imagine new worlds I could bring to life with the same creative techniques.
The second thing I remember becoming really infatuated with was sediment. We moved into a newly developed community when I was four years old and most of the lawns were barren with no grass in sight. What was there was this deep rich orange colored soil that I played in for hours and eventually invited neighborhood friends over to explore in too. We uncovered granites, quartzites, and other beautiful rocks. I would come into the house covered in orange mud from mixing in water (that I did not know came with a water bill) and making pigmented clay pastes. I started my first rock collection while I was in elementary school and unknowingly fell in love with geology.
My magnet school also had an expansive technology fleet. During those primitive years, we got a chance to pilot a new video game called Quest Atlantis and it was a virtual simulation game that was set in a tropical other worldly environment. I am not sure what happened to the game developers, but I developed an appreciation for tech and the ways that it expanded our metaphysical. I spent years collecting old cellular devices and gaming consoles while also gaming on a variety of devices myself. In those humble beginnings, a lot of times I entertained myself and how I took up interest in things greatly supported my creativity. But I did not know who I would be when I grew up or what I would do. All I knew was that I loved so much and there was so much more to discover that I loved.”
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?
“After elementary school, I took my interests that spanned a variety of disciplines along with me to junior high. Whenever I was experiencing heavy emotions that I was unable to express at the time, I found myself becoming super fixated on those outlets. At one point they became vices and my escapism became harmful to my social skills. I was still young, so there was no understanding of appropriate conduct in the gaming world or even in my own thoughts. Having also experienced misconduct from peers that I trusted and enduring severe bullying, my self identity evolved. There was a lot less self-love and a lot more self-loathing. For years I learned how to manage the my discomfort by suppressing it. Towards the end of high school, I started to find the light in life again, but by then I had already separated myself from the things that I loved – blaming them for why I was bullied. A child who knows themself is a threat to those who are lost, and I remember my peer’s making fun of my interests – so I ditched them.
I began to focus on my social life more but when I finally took a chance to reconnect with parts of myself that I tossed away the pieces of my old identity felt very fragmented. Art… rocks… and technology? Around this time, I was also deciding about college. I was plagued with uncertainty and questioned if I should go to college for art, science, or if at all. I decided to go to school for Environmental Science with the mindset that my art skill came naturally, but our environment is something humanity uses unnaturally – so how can we become better stewards of our planet? Well, I got a Bachelor’s of Science and during those four years I created absolutely: #NoArt. It was not until my senior year in college that I met a man who reminded me of who I was as a child. I remember sharing with him who was majoring in photography that I too had a creative past, and he encouraged me to recommit. One day, he randomly sent me $60 with a message to “support Black artists” and that became the beginning of a new creative chapter in my life.
Graduating during COVID-19 was challenging enough for many reasons. Although I was nearing the end of my program my academics suffered because of the instability of the world. I decided to let go of the things that I thought I knew to allow for the unseen to take precedence in my life. Through that release, I birthed ‘ADIEU•PAINtings’ in 2020 which began as an art series. It focused on creating painted artwork as letters of farewell to the things that held us back from our greatest potential. Be that may abuse, abandonment, or fear – I created custom artwork for customers to look at as a reminder that they are healed and loved. My art practice still operates to this day, and I was also able to maintain a career in the geosciences for the last five years simultaneously. When I look back, the story almost appears seamless because of the way it all played out divinely. However, on this journey I really had to die to my old ways of thinking and cry through a great deal of it. My mother told me once that ‘It is okay to make a new decision.’ and I carry it with me closely. Life is a series of trial and error and I am pleased to say that I have gotten better at embracing the natural unfolding of life.”
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
“As previously mentioned, I have been in the geoscience field of work for the last five years after graduating from UNC Charlotte. I am currently employed as a geospatial technician, providing technical support in the utility industry by managing their assets. This career path has been extremely rewarding, and I have grown tremendously as a part of my nationwide company. Outside of my day job, I operate my business by the name of ‘Adieu•Paintings’. I specialize in customized portraitures and other symbolic paintings. Through this business I also accept agreements to facilitate painting events and paint live at events throughout North Carolina. In addition, I provide illustrations for authors and graphic design products for businesses and event organizers. I have recently begun to explore curating art for various event types, and I am looking to expand that practice within the next year.
This year I made the decision to start a new community by the name of ‘In•Mmunity’. The idea behind In•Mmunity is to organize events and programs that increase the community’s capacity to prioritize healing, embrace education, economically develop, and give back to those in need. This year we have been able to host an astronomy focused gathering by the name of ‘Stars Unveiled’ and a holistic women’s retreat by the name of ‘Fruitage of the Womb’. I am most proud of the community work that I have been able to support and encourage throughout North Carolina for various communities that are underserved. One highlight that I am working on for next year primarily is a garden program for youth. I have helped build out a program that supports youth and their families by teaching them practical techniques for growing food in their backyards to help cut down on food insecurity in their food desert/low-income community.
From my perspective, talking about how I set myself apart from previous versions of myself is more constructive than comparing myself to anyone else. One of the strongest character traits that I possess is the ability to embrace challenges even when it is uncomfortable, scary, or difficult. I see myself as a work in progress and I see the world as a space that needs infinite amounts of love. To be a thoughtful person in this world who is capable of sharing love for healing, I must first start with myself and strive to be better. I commit to that in all ways possible and I am grateful to have a healthy relationship with the Most High God, my family, and my friends who resemble me in the ways that they carry themselves and uphold values similar to my own. Thank you to my support system and everyone that has contributed to my growth thus far in life. Heal on!”
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
“Success is subjective. When I look at my life I see there being points of achievement that I once felt were unachievable – so being able to say that I have accomplished certain feats is the best example of success in my life that I can think of. If I had to identify one important quality or characteristic that has supported my journey to this level of achievement, I would choose my willingness to reinvest into my personal passions. After denying myself of the things that really kept my mind, body, and spirit engaged – I really have gotten to a place where I prioritize the things that make my heart come alive. In doing so I always find myself exactly where I need to be and exactly with the people I need around me to achieve more. I would encourage everyone to spend less time observing the life of others and really commit yourself to your passions and purpose that you found when you were young and unafraid. For some of us, our childhood was filled with trauma and for others not so much. I truly believe that either way the cookie crumbled, the heart had to find peace – even if it was but for a second. Follow your peace.”
Pricing:
- All creative services that I am offering related to visual art, event hosting, or organization are tailored to the specific client and/or customer who I am working for. If anyone is interested in learning more about my practice and/or services that I can provide please email me at [email protected] so that we can set up a consultation and figure out how we can collaborate and partner together for whatever you need.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.adieupaintings.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adieupaintings/ and https://www.instagram.com/in.mmunity/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonese-pipkin/
Image Credits
Malik J. Norman & Horace Robinson
