Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaime Coker.
Hi Jaime, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My story starts like so: I’ve always drawn and been attracted to art and popular entertainment culture (tv, movies, cartoons, etc.). Even though a turbulent childhood and foster care, I have always been drawn. I stopped drawing for quite a few years but missed it immensely. This was especially true since it had been a part of my daily life so so long and how I made sense of my surroundings and the greater world around me. I was at a crossroads about whether to continue on the same path or follow my passion. After exhibiting at my very first comic con, I decided that following my love and turning a hobby into a business was what I wanted to do. So I put all of my energy and efforts into making it happen. With my wife’s assistance, we have created work for many known corporations, smaller companies, and everything in between. We have traveled across the country exhibiting our artwork in many states and have made many connections that will last a lifetime!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like many other endeavors, It has had its challenges. By getting started, there was a lot to learn and overcome emotionally regarding taking such a huge gamble. What if things don’t work out? What if people don’t like your artwork? What’s the backup plan? What if you lose it all? It’s hard to answer those questions, especially when you don’t have answers, so your confidence wavers. Additionally, the era of COVID-19 impacted our ability to travel and exhibit at shows, greatly affecting us in many ways: from our income to acquiring materials and technology to our ability to meet with clients.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My wife and I are Pop Culture Artists. We specialize in mashups and creating artwork featuring characters in various forms of popular entertainment. Currently, we are working on a series called “Villainous Villains,” which features the ‘bad guys’ from pop media in moments of frustration breaking the toys of the heroes from their respective stories. All the toys I draw are based on actual toys released in stores (primarily from the 80s and 90s). Regarding accomplishments or what I’m most proud of, people have bees open to our creativity and ideas in our artwork. But speaking strictly from a personal viewpoint, I’m proud that we have been able to make our passion a profession, that we continue to see growth and evolution in the artwork, and that our footprint is growing.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is a tricky word. Some might define it as being famous, or merely being able to pay for things, or from a more monetary standpoint, but I think it’s more than that. For me, success is primarily being able to say I was a kid from a troubled home who wound up in foster care and tried to live a normal life, and did but decided an extraordinary life was worth striving for.
Pricing:
- Fine Art prints: $30
- Platinum prints: $60
- Canvases: $199-$999
- Framed Art: $50-$200
Contact Info:
- Website: jaimecokercreations.com
- Instagram: jaime.coker_artist
- Facebook: Jaime Coker Creations
