Today we’d like to introduce you to Jan-Mitchell Avilés.
Jan-Mitchell, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Pushing boundaries excites me. I am willing to risk what is proven, for what is different and fresh. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, there was a passion for life birthed in me. Houston is my home for now, and my design is as diverse, textured and colorful as this city. Living in different places helped shape my understanding of people and allowed me to learn and appreciate many cultures. My style in music, design and photography has been shaped by both my environment & innate desire to create. I take joy in my ability to translate human experiences into stories that resonate with others. I dig deeply into perspective – as one’s entire experience is determined by this one thing, I see this as the window into the soul. If I am going to create something, I need it to be both a true reflection of a concept and told in a way that has never been crafted or experienced before. It is my belief that if what you create does not help others, it is time wasted. Instead of simply asking “how” when building a concept, I find that my work takes more value when I ask “why.” My creative ability is so much larger than myself – this life is meant to grow together, build incredible things & find value and beauty in our differences. I strive for this to be the heartbeat of my work.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My art pushes boundaries by developing social, political and religious conversations and perspectives without words. The basis of my design and foundational elements always revolve around understanding different perspectives and points of view. Its purpose is to build bridges and tell stories that are understood across cultures, languages and backgrounds.
Music
Photography
Design
I create because it would be a denial of the very foundation of who I am if I did not. And that would be a disservice to myself and those around me if I refused to take part in creating things that bring people together. My artwork will always be about things greater than myself. It is my greatest hope that those who interact with my work will have an open mind and be better versions of themselves because of the concepts that are experienced.
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
The role of artists has changed in the last few decades. Historically, artists were not taken seriously until post-mortem sales drove their beliefs and opinions into popular culture. As an artist, you are responsible for communicating your beliefs and speaking up on issues, whether or not you find fame during this lifetime. When one takes themselves seriously in this role as an artist, it allows them to reach groups that may not traditionally agree with them and develops mutual respect within different audiences. Television and news are outdated forms of mass communication – artists are empowered to post on social media and shape popular opinion with effectiveness, support and respect through good work.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My music has been published and is available on all streaming platforms, and my social media account is a portfolio of my design and photography. I am currently updating my website to a more service-based platform. I am a full-time creative and music director at Elevate People in downtown Houston, and much of my most current work is seen in various elements of production, social media and music there.
Contact Info:
- Website: jan-mitchell.com
- Email: janpr777@gmail.com
- Instagram: jan_pappas
- Apple Music/Spotify: Jan-Mitchell
Image Credit:
Jen Bedoya
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