Life & Work with Jamie Longshore of Wilmington, NC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Longshore

Hi Jamie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Charlotte, North Carolina and grew up in and around the Charlotte area. I have always been a creative individual and attended art camps and classes starting at age five. Art has always been an outlet for me especially during the darkest points of my life. Against all odds, I graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a BA in Studio Art and Art History. My concentration was primarily in painting and graphic design. During my time as an undergrad, I was a studio intern for Acme Art Studios in downtown Wilmington which sparked my love for working with small, local businesses with a creative focus. I began working at The Children’s Museum of Wilmington as Marketing Coordinator while working towards my MA in Integrated Marketing and Communications.

In 2022, I decided to turn my freelancing experience into a full time business: Longshore Art + Design LLC and finally quit my 9-5. I am an artist, muralist, graphic designer, social media manager, and consultant.

I have worked with businesses including Carolina Renovation Warehouse of Gastonia, Nourish NC Wilmington, Welcome Home Angel Wilmington, NicoBlue Jewelry, Hop Yard Raleigh, Dalisay Salon Wilmington, TAD Photos, Ibiza Nightclub, Beach Bowls Morehead City, Welcome Home Angel, Charlotte Magazine, UNCW Theatre Program, Coglins Wilmington, and now the new Tap Yard from Raleigh coming soon to Wilmington.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It may seem like I am just having fun and painting every day but what you don’t see is the behind-the-scenes. I get told “no” more times and I get told “yes.” I write endless proposals, draw endless mock up designs, get stood up, don’t get callbacks and deal with obstacles just like every other business does. You never know when the next curveball is going to get thrown at you so I decided to do what I wanted to do with my life and not care about fitting in boxes anymore. I understand this isn’t for everyone. This is an unconventional job type, but nothing in my life has been conventional so far. I talk to people in my life sometimes and they say they things like they admire that I continue to chase my dreams. I tell them there was literally no other option. I’ve always done this type of work as a side gig but it always came first to me. This has taken priority in my life. No matter the obstacle I face, I am going to figure out how to continue being an artist. It doesn’t always look like how I imagined and I think that is something important to keep in mind when pursuing anything. First and foremost, I am an artist and a creator. I am truly blessed that against all odds, this job type is continuing to work out for me. With the way life works, that could all change in the blink of an eye so while I’d like to say I’m going to do this forever, for now I’m just working hard and enjoying where I’m at right now.

If being an artist or starting your own business is your dream, put in the work and you will accomplish your goals.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a painter and a graphic designer. While I like to say that I do a little bit of everything, I tend to gravitate more towards logo/branding designs and mural painting. Whether it’s digital or physical art in the business, it means so much to me that other business owners trust me with their dream and business. I am known mostly for mural painting. I am most proud of my mural work because people are able to interact with the work. It is living art. My favorite part of the work is seeing people interacting with it in real time, taking pictures with it, and sharing it with their friends and family. What sets me apart from others is my dedication to the job. I am a natural problem solver and each job comes with it’s own limitations and obstacles. I don’t like to say no, I do everything I can to solve the problem and execute the clients vision. Whether that means renting different types of lifts, or getting up and down a 20+ foot extension ladder. I will always figure it out.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters to me most is not only creating, but the relationships I build along the way. Through this work you meet a ton of new people, building relationships and trust is very important to me. The reason I went into work for myself is because it’s not just what I do, but how I do it. I strive to be easy and fun to work with. The work I provide is providing the business with personality and life, and I strive to do the same in my personal relationships with clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://longshoredesigns.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/longshoredesign
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/longshoredesign
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@longshoredesign