Meet Jasmine Wooten | Mother, Social Work, & Artist

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

Hi Jasmine, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I grew up in Columbus, Ohio, with a large family of six siblings, where I am the eldest. From a young age, I have had a passion for creating art influenced by my Father in different mediums, and I’ve always been known as the “Crafty” one. Whenever we had a project that required artistic skills, like designing a presentation or drawing a mural, I would be the one selected to take the lead. I was particularly drawn to black-and-white pencil portraiture because I found color to be intimidating.

Having experienced motherhood, I have gained a deeper understanding of the value of being a purposeful parent. Through my years of single parenthood, I found that art served as an increasingly prominent means of self-care. It not only provided me with a creative outlet but also acted as a channel for releasing stress and dealing with the various difficulties that come with being a single parent.

As I’ve continued to explore new horizons and further develop my skill and creative style, art has fed my Soul and lifted the weight off my Heart and mind. While also serving as an essential tool to support my mental health as a method to process and express difficult emotions, ground myself when Im feeling lost in the chaos of a million tabs being opened in my mind, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase my self-awareness.
Life experiences involving Trauma for my family; and my children trying to understand their identities have yielded so many questions I haven’t always been prepared to answer. I’ve had to develop a way to respond, support, and teach them. Mainly, My Beautiful Daughter, who has struggled with colorism for a long time, questioning why she has a darker complexion than myself and her brother. And while we discussed the biology behind family traits and that Blackness is a Spectrum. She needed more reassurance.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown, I decided to stop being intimidated by using color, picked up the paintbrush, and used art to create pieces reflecting the BEAUTY IN BEING BLACK.
I worked to answer all these questions for my children, creating pieces representative of our Culture, Expressions, Originality, and Unique Style; that would allow my daughter to see a reflection of herself while showing the variations of Hair and skin textures, physical presenting conditions, shapes, sizes, and Colors. Pieces that teach and inspire my children of the Beauty in our culture as they continue their journeys of self-discovery; and that others can identify with when they look upon them.
As a mother and artist, I’ve worked to intentionally model the positive impact, benefits, and resourcefulness of creating art for my children. The lessons being, “It’s not about the final product, and you don’t have to use the most expensive materials to create beautiful work; you can create pieces by utilizing everyday materials around the house and repurposing materials creatively to create, and always have fun.”

My “Crown Collection” features 3-dimensional portraits of Black individuals. By exploring various mediums and textures, my work combines sculpture and canvas art using Plaster, Acrylic Paint, Faux Floral arrangements, Human hair extensions, hair jewelry and accessories, fabric, garden supplies, and more. Each piece is One of a Kind while also representing the absolute unity of the Collection.
My Mixed Media Paintings feature Black individuals of all shapes, sizes, and colors, using various mediums, such as Acrylic, glitter, pencil, fabric, jewelry, faux flowers, foam, hair accessories, garden supplies, beads, Puff paint, buttons, and more.
Art tells a story and touches each individual differently. My aspiration is that my art conveys a message of strength, Beauty, and resilience and inspires solidarity among my community and allies. In a world full of Trauma and chaos, in need of Empathy and Creativity more than ever, I wish for my art to be a source of reflection and celebration of human uniqueness. While also serving as a reflection of the lessons I’m teaching my children; and conveying the positive impact of creating art on the human spirit as a form of Self-Care.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have a deep passion for uplifting and empowering people, advocating for social and economic justice, and highlighting disparities. My life revolves around the intersection of these things, and I move with intentionality to make a positive impact. Despite facing various challenges, traumas, and forms of abuse, I am a survivor who is paving the path not just for myself, but for many other women as well. I started my higher education journey in 2016 and became involved in activism through campus programs and community engagement. In 2019, I graduated from Columbus State Community College with my Associate of Arts degree. With newfound courage and belief in my skills, I applied for and was accepted into Ohio State’s College of Social Work. Once again, I found myself relying on my strengths and support networks to balance full-time schooling and parenting as a single mother. I reminded myself that with love, I was capable and powerful, and it was my responsibility to create the life I wanted for myself and my children.
In 2021, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work degree. Despite the ongoing global pandemic, I was determined to continue my education and applied to Ohio State University’s ASAP MSW program. This is a highly competitive, 1-year accelerated graduate program, and I was thrilled to be accepted. On August 7th, 2022, I officially became an OSU Alum after completing the program and earning a Master of Social Work degree.
I have recently accepted a position with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners Family Stabilization Unit as a Family Stabilization Specialist. In this role, I will be working under one of their special initiatives with the Office of Justice Policy and Programs – Youth of Incarcerated Parents program. My job will involve serving justice-involved residents and their families by utilizing my passion for advocacy to help them navigate challenges and remove barriers that prevent economic mobility and self-sufficiency. The most important lesson I learned during my journey, and the one I want to share with others, is that you have the ability to achieve great things, no matter what obstacles you may face. Your circumstances do not define who you are; it’s your determination and perseverance that will ultimately lead you to success. Keep moving forward, and never give up on your dreams. You already have everything you need inside of you to overcome any challenge and reach your full potential.

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?
One of my favorite places to visit in the city is the Franklin Park Conservatory. I enjoy going there alone or with my children to explore the different exhibits, meditate, reflect, and ground ourselves. It’s a great place to recharge and replenish our energy. When I feel like indulging in some self-care, I treat myself to delicious treats and drinks from Dough Mama, Fox in the Snow, or Upper Cup. I also like to rejuvenate by getting a massage at Replenish Day Spa. While strolling around Easton Town Center, I always discover interesting people and things. For art lovers, the Streetlight Guild and All People Arts Gallery are excellent options.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I credit my growth as an artist to the amazing support and encouragement I received from local non-profits like Zora’s House, YWCA Columbus, Dress for Success Columbus, New Directions Career Center, and Motherful. These organizations provided me with various opportunities to explore my talents and were always there to offer moral support on my journey. I would like to give a special shoutout to my valued friends Shelby and Donte Woods-Spikes. They are true inspirations and my biggest supporters in the community. Thanks to their unwavering belief in me, I was able to see my potential and find the confidence to pursue my dreams.

Website: www.intuitivelycreated.com

Instagram: @intuitivelycreated

Linkedin: Jasmine Wooten

Image Credits
The picture with myself and my children sitting in my room on my bed was taken by Photographer Brooke LeValley/Columbus Dispatch.