Meet Jalyn Nwogu | Digital Artist & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jalyn Nwogu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jalyn, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk has been an integral part of my life and career. The fact that I decided to go to New York for Computer art, an industry I had zero knowledge of, from my small city of Irving was the biggest risk I’ve ever taken. I had no idea how it was going to play out or if I would succeed, but It was the best decision that I made in my entire life. I struggled with my mental health greatly while I was in college, but in the end, it helped me understand myself a lot better and I was able to push myself to heights I never thought I would be able to do. I consider everything I do as a risk because internally I want to stay in my safe area in fear that I could make a mistake or someone will reject me, but my need to be creative, independent, and unique pushes me to continue to take risks. I think every artist should be taking risks and get out of their comfort zones because that’s when you create or do something amazing, and even if the risk you took didn’t turn out exactly as you wanted, you learned something from it and improved your perspective.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I feel like I didn’t become an artist, I was always one. I discovered who I was as an artist. A part of me felt and still feels that my mental health is directly tied to m art, as it always reflects the state that I’m in. It follows through every facet of my life. I started off drawing girls that I would imagine in my dreams, to chibi anime characters, my friends, to horror-based art. I feel as if my art is always changing with me and it reflects my mental state at the time. When I was in college I created a lot of horror-based 3D art as I felt that there was this great battle with myself and the unknown of the city and my field. It conjured up some pretty terrifying characters and it definitely influenced my thesis. The fact that I was stuck on this horror theme is pretty funny as I don’t really like scary movies. Being an artist, and just being a person is hard and I learn lessons every day. I’ve learned to listen to myself, keep pushing even if you have doubts because doubts will come and go but if you have the determination to push through it, you will succeed. I’ve learned to take risks, find inspiration in every part of your life, try new things even if you’re scared if you fail because failure isn’t negative, it’s a part of learning, and most importantly don’t fall into the trap of perfection. I got to where I am through persistence and understanding and being honest myself. I think that’s what really sets me apart from others. My work is a constant flow of myself and reaches across many mediums. My art will always be a reflection of myself and I think that’s the important part of my work. It is scary, dreamy, cute, it’s many things and I feel that I don’t need to stick to one thing as I don’t want to ever limit myself to one genre. Getting to where I am was not easy and I’ve made many mistakes and will continue to make some more, but through it all, it has made me a greater artist. I’m very excited to see who I am in the next year and so on.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The most fun and exciting areas in Dallas are definitely Deep Ellum and the Gay Oak Lawn (Gayborhood) area. I have the most fun in these areas when I go out with my friends. Cedar Springs, The Rooftop, Ebb and Flow, Pie Tap, The Round-Up, Station 4, Havana, Gloria’s, Frida’s tacos, and Rodeo Goat are just a few places that I absolutely love. If my friend was he3re I would definitely take them to all these places because eth food is great, the clubs are popping. the [eople are friendly and social. If I was looking for great cocktails that would get you going, I would definitely hit up Gloria’s and order the Pina Colada or the Strawberry MArgarita and ask for a Mexican Candy shot. If I was looking for a cute cocktail for Insta, I would definitely go to Ebb and Flow. Rodeo Goat has the most amazing specialty burgers, Pie Tap has the most delicious pasta you’ll ever eat, and Frida’s Tacos has the trending Barria Tacos that are just scrumptious. I would also go to the Marget McDermott Bridge to hang out as it has beautiful lights in the restaurant area and you can walk the bridge with your friends and enjoy the skyline view.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my mother. She has been with me every step of the way and I feel like there’s nothing I could ever do to thank her for always being there for me. Throughout my life, she has been there to help me and push me to be a better person and artist. I know it’s hard to raise a daughter who has been struggling mentally throughout adolescence and adulthood and is trying to find her way in the world as an artist. She has been the backbone of my artistry and I don’t know if I ever would have come this far without my mother by my side. She deserves all the credit and recognition and more because she truly is my biggest supporter.

Website: https://www.jalynnwogu.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalynnwogu/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jalyn-nwogu/