Meet Jessica Clark | Actor & Artist

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

Hi Jessica, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My professional life has always been very organic. Actually, more so than that, any plan that I ever made did not work out the way I expected. So early on I decided that I would stay open to opportunities, say yes to any that felt good, and then maximize the experience.

Taking that approach I realized that I needed to keep my schedule as flexible as I could manage. That in turn made it very difficult to operate within traditional employment. I was lucky to have a decent amount of success early on that I could parlay into other opportunities, and so developing my own business, centered around my brand just made sense.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I would consider myself to be a multidisciplinary creative. However, I’m definitely most well-known for my acting work.

I was a fashion model prior to becoming an actor. I lived and worked all over the world, and at its best it was a very exciting, privileged way to travel, meet and work with some of the biggest talents of that industry, and learn so much about what it takes to make your living creatively. At its least, it was, for me, very challenging to maintain my mental and physical health within the parameters demanded of fashion models at the time.

During that time, I was encouraged to take acting classes, and acting, as a craft, represented a freedom I wasn’t experiencing within the rigidity of the fashion industry. I loved it. I poured myself into it, I soaked up every tool, every skill that I could, And, ultimately, I chose to make it my next career.

Maybe it’s an obvious statement, but making your artistry your career immediately brings in business elements. I hadn’t really thought about the impact that would have, and it was very challenging for me at various times.

I don’t naturally gravitate toward continuous self-promotion, but to have a career in the arts, or indeed any independent business, it’s just an essential part of what is needed to gain and maintain success.

I really wish I had accepted this inevitability sooner and pulled myself out of my self-consciousness sooner.

I would want people to know that unless you’re very diligent at recognizing your successes, it’s so easy to move the goalposts all the time and never acknowledge your wins. That can have the effect of feeling as though you never accomplish anything.

When I catch myself in this negative pattern of thinking, I remind myself that I’ve crafted characters, and been lucky enough to be a part of projects that still mean so much to people, even years after I worked on them., I’m truly grateful, and as an actor I absolutely feel that that is real success.

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 Broad – An amazing collection of modern art through the decades, constantly updated, and held within a great piece of architecture in DTLA.

Hiking – several in Malibu, and of course the iconic Runyon Canyon (which will always be relevant because it’s so central that you can skip the gym, have a friend date, get your sweat on, some fresh air, a quick green juice and be on with your day in just a couple of hours.

Of course, some of these trails have been devastated by the recent fires and my heart breaks for the city (and the surrounding ones) and everyone affected. But I also know that you can’t keep LA or its people down for long, and we will rise again.

Angeles Crest scenic route – through the highest ranges of the San Gabriel Mountains. Just an incredibly beautiful sweeping nature experience. Whenever I get overwhelmed or just need a moment of peace, I drive this route, and it never fails to bring me calm.

The Pasadena Playhouse – an inspiring 1925 theater that’s the official theater of California. Always an incredible schedule of plays and performing arts.

Crazy Rockin’ Sushi in WeHo – There are so many phenomenal restaurants in LA, but this always hits with super fresh sashimi for very reasonable prices that don’t feel like they’re going to break my bank accounts.

Modo Yoga LA – Centrally located on La Brea, just great quality hot yoga classes that are accessible for all practitioners, without being pretentious.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I believe and know to be true, that no one succeeds in a vacuum. I’ve had incredible support, mentorship and inspiration from several different people in my life to date.

Generally speaking, they’re private people. However, shoutout to the Head of English at my Secondary (High) School in the UK. To a very ethical Model Agent I was lucky enough to have in NYC. To my long time and current Entertaiment Manager, Martha Sanchez, in Los Angeles. To a dear friend, and incredibly talented writer also in Los Angeles. And there are more. I am so fortunate to know these people and grateful for the parts they have played in my success, but also my sanity!

Special acknowledgments to the books “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” by Susan Jeffers, and “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron.

To my incredibly loyal fans who have traveled with me throughout my career.

And finally hats off to some very talented therapists and mental health professionals!

Instagram: @thejessicaroseclark

Image Credits
Dom @ Warped Vision (only for 2 shots with warmer tones, shorter hair)