Today we’d like to introduce you to Jo Doak.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When it comes to being talented, a lot of people believe you’re either born with it or you’re not. My mother likes to say I was born an artist and looking back at elementary age school projects, I understand why she would say that. Especially about her own child, haha. For me, the truth is that everyone is has a unique talent and everyone is an artist. Although there are so many who have always held a natural urge to create, there are many that have worked hard to wield the talents they do. I myself had to understand that I was, at one point, really bad at a lot of what I can do today. I spent years learning and practicing to grow the skill set I am proud to have.
I like to look at my artistic abilities as my own personal garden. There have been seasons in my life where I had a vast array of blooms, times where I only had one type of flower, times I was busy planting new seeds and brutal seasons where I neglected it altogether. I know that can seem far off but it takes time to truly nurture what matters most to you. Life can and will 100% dictate what you are able to give to your art and creative urges.
Lucky for us, being creative and making art goes beyond paint or canvas. It’s in our homes, how we dress and express ourselves, dancing to music, the mug we drink our coffee out of, mother nature! The core of art is the intention and passion behind it, and how much of yourself you are willing to pour into it. How you implement that into your life is honestly boundless. I feel very fortunate to pour my heart into every endeavor, whether that be a commission piece, rearranging my home, or drawing whatever imaginative creature my kids ask me to draw for them. Even if it feels impossible, it matters that you try. In an age of AI generated art, it is imperative to be supporting artists and creators who work hard at what they do. So many people out there are talented in a way that is just absolutely mind blowing and they can’t wait for their next project. We have a vast amount of resources at our finger tips that can teach us just about anything we want to learn as long as we’re willing. I tell my oldest son all the time “just make it exist first. even if you don’t like, even if it’s not what you want it to be right now. you can adjust it as you go.” The biggest reward in being a creator is the process that lead you to the result. Nothing can replicate the humanness of that. I’m just happy to be here and able to gift little pieces of myself through my art and the way I move through life.
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?
I don’t think this journey was ever a road in the first place. It feels more like the Fellowship trying to make it to Mordor in time to help Frodo.
My life and my experiences have been deeply painful at times but they are part of the fabric which weaves a bigger picture. I had a complicated childhood that I could not understand while being so young, and even to this day I am unraveling. I was violated and assaulted in my early adulthood, I’ve lost my daughter during pregnancy, and so many tragedies in between. It all felt and still feels unbearable at times. There are continuous lessons we learn every time we inevitably circle back to what has hurt us until we can learn to move through it better each time. I do believe that’s why I lean so heavy into so many different forms of art. It doesn’t *need* to be explained, others don’t *have* to find meaning to it. I just know it feels necessary for me to make. As I’ve gotten older, moved around the country, learned of other walks of life, repaired some of the brokenness, I’ve been blessed to have gained an even bigger sense of how to take the heartache, hold it, and then transform it into something positive. Even if it’s sometimes only understood by me, every season has its purpose.
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?
Nothing sets me apart from any other artist that is throwing everything they’ve got into their work. I do what I can, I work at what I lack, and I mourn the skills or projects I know I am not capable of doing. And that’s okay with me!
As a teen I used to paint and draw on cardboard, or sticks, myself, whatever I could find. Anything and everything had potential in my eyes. I still feel that way. During the covid pandemic I gave birth to my first son and became a stay at home mom. My wonderfully supportive husband has always encouraged me to create but back in 2020 he fully pushed me into digital art. Thankfully I crash landed into an incredible journey. Through that, I have designed tattoos, logos, created fan art for bands, designed book covers for independent writers, made designs for apparel, and even took on portraits. Recently I picked up embroidery and it has quickly become one of my favorite ways to create. I also do thrift flips, my own house decor, and homeschool both of my sons so the creativity is constantly flowing.
My specialty and what I am most proud of is always going to be pouring my heart into every detail of a piece. Pet portraits have become a very specific commission request for about three years now and I feel so honored to be asked every single time. I may or may not cry typing out my email to the recipient about how special it is to hold this honor. I love learning about the personality behind the pet and doing my best to help that shine through. I’ve always been steadfast in creating things worth being proud of.
I don’t know that I am actually known in any capacity for my art but if you’d ask someone to explain it, they’d say I can take what they envision and give them a piece that exceeds any expectation. That’s a frequent response I am so glad to receive. It truly motivates me to put even more love into my next piece. I mean that’s the whole point!
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I was born and raised in Michigan and although I’ve not lived in the Detroit area for 11 years now, every time we visit we make it a point to go out and support local businesses. The growth of Detroit over the years, despite all odds, has been one of the absolute best parts of our visits. Detroit’s reputation is 100% created by outsiders and that is my least favorite part. This city has so much HEART.
Since moving out of Michigan I have lived in Texas, Hawai’i, Florida, and Tennessee. Every place is so unique and has taught me such valuable lessons that I needed at those points in life. Each place hold significance and appreciation in its own way. Cultural differences, lifestyles, music, local artists, even down to the architecture. Every place has it’s purpose but I find that there are specific nostalgic elements of Michigan and that feeling does hold a lot of inspiration for me.
Pricing:
- Digital Portraits start at $25 additional details will ultimately determine final pricing.
- Embroidery ranges from $15 – $100 dependent on request
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @cupofmamajo_
