Meet Caleb Jay Colours | Multidisciplinary Artist/Muralist/Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caleb Jay Colours and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caleb Jay, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
The first major risk that got me to where I am was quitting my job taking my last paycheck with me and moving to Portland. It paid off tenfold and was the leap I needed to jumpstart my career. It put me in the place I needed to be at the time I needed to be there. The basis of risk in my life is the creation of art.

Being an artist is and forever will be a risk. Risk is what finds your true comfort zone. Throwing yourself into new areas and projects constantly. Risk taking is the basis of art. There are no standards for what an artist can and can’t make. An artist is bringing into the world something never seen before. It isn’t guaranteed to make you money or garner fame. We just have something inside us saying “The world needs this, I hope they understand.”

Every project is a lesson in risk taking. As artists we expose our soul to the world. Our own aesthetic representation of how we experience this life we all share. Then we hope that someone or some people see their own reflection in our work. Fear of rejection is ever present. All your works wont resonate with the greater public but when you do find that vein of success it makes all that risk taking that much more worth it. I wouldn’t have been where I am if I never to the risk and asked my mentor Dan Cohen to work with him. I was way under experienced and had no idea what I was in for painting murals. Spoiler alert he rejected me at first. If he didn’t I wouldn’t have learned what I needed to work on to be successful or that painting murals could even be a career. I put my head down and did the work. Then constant communication and a chance encounter I finally got my chance. Then I painted the most prominent mural Portland has to offer.

I have never been risk averse since I was a child. So Ive learned that the anxiety with a possible decision could pay off into something life changing. If you truly believe your talent, art, craft, services are something the world needs then go for it. That fear is a guide that leads you to where you will grow the most.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My grandmother was an artist. She used to take care of me while my parents were at work and my brothers and sister were at school. Her favorite artists were Claude Monte, Vincent Van Gogh, and MC Escher. We used to paint and draw as playtime. I was the youngest of five children. So instead of fighting for T.V. or computer time I would just sit at the table to draw. As I grew my parents never discouraged me from creating or that following an artistic career was fool-hearty. So when I pursued art in college and professionally I had the unwavering trust of my family. We didn’t have a lot growing up. A person would expect my family to tell me to go for a “safe” career. Being that we came from below the poverty line. They believed that art could take me as far as my mind could dream. My success is a testament to that belief and encouragement.

I chose to pursue an artistic career because I had something to say that went beyond words. Painting murals helped me to have a greater voice than my mouth could hold. Through my artistic practice I could help others find their own voice as well. Art is a constant challenge for me to grow. Each day I show up for myself and my own ambition. It gives me a drive to make the most of each day and to forgive myself when it doesn’t feel that way. Because there are no mistakes, only happy accidents.

Not having a lot of resources growing up forced me to use the materials at my most convenient: Markers, crayons, watercolor, pens, pencils, house paint and aerosol. No one taught me how I was supposed to paint or draw. Anything could be a canvas. I just sat down and used the mediums I felt could best transmute my desire to create. This often meant using whatever medium had the color or texture I was looking to use. So when I make murals I’m now using mediums in ways contrary to the norm. It makes my art come with texture and movement hard to recreate with classically trained methods. The creation of art came from what was readily available and persistence to get it right. I’m a stubborn optimist with a knack for creative problem solving. When I do create I leave a lot of area for free flow. I do very basic sketches for light and shadow. Then I just start to work finding the methods and techniques as I move along.

I intuitively draw and paint. When I’m making a mural or drawing I know what the subject matter will be but Im not quite sure how it will come to be. That is not to say I don’t have the methods to concisely create what I mean to convey with my work. This leads to very detailed pieces that from a distance read just as well as when you are face to face with them. My methodology might make areas move slow at times but I create one of a kind art that draws a viewer in. Causing the viewer to stay with a piece and find new things every time they view it. The creation of art and the ability to have fun while making it is key to my motivation. My experience at college was mixed. I went to an informal school with no grades.

What The Evergreen State College lacked in technical training. It made up for with training in theory and project building. Evergreen was self directed and you approached each assignment in your own way. They taught me how to define my theory and do research to back up my projects and vision. If I went to a more formal school the rigidity of creation would not have led to me defining my own style and growth. There I met some of the art community that surrounds me today. Best friends all of which are doing well for themselves in their artistic careers.

Networking and putting myself out there in the art community has given me so many opportunities. Having strong support and trusted people to lean on for advice and crucial feedback was key to me continuing art post college. After I was out of school it is up to me. I have to show up everyday, I have to figure out how to monetize my passion. There wasn’t a guild to work for, learn from or be paid by. So staying connected, teaching and learning was optimal to the success of me as an artist. I strive to be a knowledgeable resource for technical questions. I am a paint nerd. To feel alone with a problem or no one to ask about such a fickle field of work is debilitating. So if I can spare a new artist or friend from that feeling Im an open book.

Portland is such a small market. So a difficult time is usually knowing that me and my friends are all competing for the same jobs. I am very forth giving with my knowledge about mural making. So in a way I’m not doing myself any favors by letting my knowledge and skills go to people who are seeking the same jobs. Many people would think I’m creating my own competition by teaching people around me. I would disagree I see it as the more we learn and teach we grow as a community. The more respected my individual peers are, the more respect we all get as a community. It is an honor when more well established artists come to me to teach them the craft of mural creation. Especially how to bid a project. We as artists are great at devaluing ourselves. So the industry preys on that. If I can set a standard for what artists/murals are worth then that will only benefit myself at the end of the day.

A challenge to being an artist is finding your clients and establishing your worth along the way. Being a new artist trying to get over the hurdle of monetizing my art was very rough. Creating art was this thing I did for love. So I doubted whether I was worth anything at all. Then transitioning to doing it for monetary gains to support myself got very muddy. When I started to get gigs and price my work I heavily undervalued myself because I was new no one knew my name and how can I price my art so high? Every artist does this for a time. Then you start talking to your community and you find out what people are charging. You do a mural for pennies and realize just how much time and effort it takes. So each time you do another project you up your value. It’s time and experience. I think back on the first mural projects I did quite often. I actually secretly call one of the first murals I did “The Devil is in the Details and I Only Have So Much Soul to Sell.” It was a massive mural painted with no airflow in a heatwave. I was in the negative emotionally and financially by the end of it. I said never again and didn’t balk when placing a bid moving forward.

I just laugh at how much time I spent doing my first murals and how I was basically paying the person to paint the mural in the end. No one asking me for my art knows what it’s worth but they see the value or they wouldn’t ask for it. It’s trained into American culture to think of art as not necessary but an after thought. Art wasn’t needed for the frontier. We didn’t have the renaissance, or impressionist movements that ingrained the professionalism, or craftwork, of art into our culture. So art and artists have always been secondary in professional American society. I would argue art is paramount to a thriving society. All humans are capable of art. Whether that is “traditional” means like painting, drawing or sculpture. The arts are a true lense to what is happening in our world. So the value that we each hold is astronomical. Charging what I’m worth is only right due to the nature of what art provides humanity. Now society is in a digital age. Almost every artist is at our fingertips. So are our clients and viewers. Thats only if I can get the algorithms to let people see my work.

With the rise of Social media we are in a whole new playing field. I don’t need galleries or curators to get in touch with my clients. Now I can connect straight to them and this can be a blessing and a curse. I’m not just expected to create art but to grow my brand in frankly an uphill battle against artificial intelligence.

Social media wants us to put everything about ourselves online. It’s more about the person than the art they create sometimes. So balancing that self image against your creation is disheartening. It’s something that I still struggle with even with all my success. Art is not a competition but with these numbers associated with my art represented by “likes” and “followers” it’s hard not to slip into comparisons. My success will never be numbers on a computer. The trick to not slipping into this comparative mindset is to understand that social media wants to make money off my life. So learning how I can use that to my advantage is key to not getting swept up in self-doubt or “like” chasing. My best jobs all came from word of mouth and had nothing to do with social media. Really it’s just me running a race at whatever pace I want. The success is just being further than I was when I started. So I’m doing a pretty damn good job.

I started by creating work because I had to get out what I was feeling. It was not just having “content” to post on a social media platform. So with social media it’s a way to connect with people not only a means to make money. Art didn’t start out for me to make money. The money is a means for me to make art. Staying true to my craft and my desire to connect hasn’t led me in the wrong direction. This is true for me but doesn’t have to be for every other artist out there. Having this mindset has help me overcome slow work periods. Especially right now as I am just learning how to walk again after I had major surgery to repair a broken leg. Staying true to my methods of creating to make sense of my life. I am now right back into mural making before I am even done healing.

When I started creating art as a child I wanted to just draw the day dreams that I had in my mind. I wanted to distill the world around me into lines and color, creating fantastical landscapes and emotions represented by animals. That is what I still do today as an adult. The reception of my work is separate from the why I create it. So when people are excited by viewing my art It only adds to the experience. Murals give me the opportunity to connect with people I will never meet. A mural lives on its own and hundreds of eyes take in what I created free of my physical presence. Those moments I won’t witness but what my murals have provided are priceless. It goes beyond what I earn financially. So for as long as people want to pay me to create I will continue to grow so I can provide just that much more with every project.

A couple of my greatest accomplishments haven’t even been my own work. I’d say the first big accomplishment, besides my first mural ever, was working with Dan Cohen to paint the Fair-Haired Dumbbell with the artwork of, world renowned, James Jean. The Fair-Haired Dumbell sits at the heart of Portland at the intersection of NE MLK Jr Blvd and SE Burnside Ave. These two six story buildings are covered street to roof with colorful flowers and geode banding imagery. It is arguably the most prominent mural in Portland. If not one of the most controversial works of art this city has to offer. The Dumbell is really hard to miss and working on that building taught me so much about the mural process. For that experience I am forever grateful to my mentor and teacher Dan Cohen. The other mural of which I consider to be the greatest accomplishment of my life thus far. Was being asked to recreate the work of a 16 year old artist with autism.

I was hired by Graham and Tooze Farm Store to paint artwork created by a student at a neighboring school for autism. The artist usually sits outside and draws the farm animals on her I-pad. So when G&T was renovating a barn to convert into an event space. They asked if the talented young budding artist wanted to design a mural for their space. While painting that mural I was filled with resolve that all my training and experience led me to this moment. I wasn’t able to meet the artist because of covid but I heard that she was very happy to see her work painted to such a large scale and her parents were brought to tears. I could say that many pieces I’ve created were very instrumental to that moment. I am very proud of each piece of art I’ve created over the years but nothing will compare to that experience and what I was able to offer to someone who deserved it the most.

When I moved to Portland, OR from Tukwila, WA I only had the dream of supporting myself through my art. Where my journey would take me over the course of the last 9 years has been humbling. I’ve had the chance to work with so many incredible artists and community members. There have been so many fantastic projects and events I’ve had the pleasure of being involved with. Being a part of the community is what helps me succeed in life. Art for me has always been about connection even if sometimes I’m by myself creating it. In the end I want my art to connect people to me, to their community, or to emotions they never have encountered before. Self discovery through connection is the ultimate goal of my professional artistic journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Portland’s to-do list changes with the seasons. Winter, spring, summer, fall all bring unique activities and experiences. Portland is renowned for its food and beer. Oregon is famed for its stunning forests and pristine coastline.

If someone was coming to my city I would recommend packing a second stomach. You will EAT, EAT, EAT. My favorite places are:

Obon Shokudo(CEID)- Vegan Japanese comfort food
Luce(E Burnside)- A’la’cart Italian food New menus daily follow it up by walking across the street to PIX an amazing desert and champange bar.
An Xuyen Bakery9FoPo)- The best most economic Bahn Mi you’ll have
Ha or Rose VL(Jade)- Hands down the most authentic Pho you can get in the city. As traditional Pho is breakfast they have two soups of the day until noon. If you don’t arrive early you will miss out. Ha is the original and still a hidden gem besides all the awards.
Paiku(St. Johns) and Bar Carlo(FoPo)- My two favorite breakfast/brunch spots in the city. These will also set you up to start you day in two of the coolest neighborhoods in PDX.

My favorite spot to take out of towners is by far Rimsky-Korsakoffe House. A quirky late night desert speak easy. The tables are magic and the homemade deserts are fantastic. CASH ONLY!!

The best part about Portland is that just outside the city there are a whole range of hikes and day trips. You can work off that belt line by visiting some awesome waterfalls and hiking through emerald forests teeming with life.

Lateralis Falls and Dog Mountain are two of my top spots to visit in the Gorge. Dog Mountain is a long but rewarding hike. If planned for April-June Dog mountain is in full bloom with wildflowers partnered with a panoramic view of the Columbia River Gorge. (Pack a Lunch) If you’re not ready to leave the city thats okay Portland has a massive stretch of protected forest known as Forest Park. You can spend a whole day exploring the trails there. Id recommend Parking in St. Johns walking over the St. Johns Bridge and hiking along the Wildwood trail. There is no destination so just explore til you feel content. I go for weekly walks in Forest Park to clear my mind and remember to slow down. There is also a “Witches Castle” in Forest Park its a fun find if you’re up for the adventure. If you want to stick to the city there is a ton of Urban Exploration.

Portland is known for its neighborhoods. So telling you one spot to go doesn’t really do the city justice. The neighborhoods of Alberta Arts District, Mississippi ave, Foster Powell (FoPo), Knob Hill, St Johns CEID Mural District and Hawthorne are some of my favorite. Foster-Powell has an incredible shop called Higher Self that houses the work of Wokeface and many other Portland street/sticker artists such as myself. St Johns is a small but great area I’ve already mentioned but a great place to explore. Its named after the settler James John who was a philanthropist of early Portland. Gaining him the name St. John. St Johns bridge is the crown jewel of bridges in Portland. It was designed by the same engineer that did the Golden Gate bridge but predates it by 6 years. Underneath the bridge is Cathedral Park. A fun event is Playground Phenomenon a family friendly EDM concert that brings out hundred of Portlanders to dance and swim in the summer shade of the bridge. Which was Hawthorne has the best vintage shopping in town. You’ll find all the best threads and this is the best place to pick up gifts and presents to bring home. House of Vintage is the pinnacle of vintage in Portland. Alberta Arts District and Mississppi Ave are two bustling neighborhoods day and night. Alberta has an event during the summer called Last Thursday. On the last Thursday of every month Alberta shuts down the whole street for artists, crafters, and performers to sell their wares and entertain the masses. The whole city comes out and its an amazing time. The CEID, Central Eastside Industrial District, is a new hotspot for the city to showcase large murals. Many of the buildings are covered street to roof with art. The is also a place called Taylor Electric. A rotating mural parking garage that has a Saturday Flee Market. A fun area to rent a bike or E-scooter to explore the murals up close and personal. Day and night these area provide endless fun and places to eat. Some of my favorite spots to enjoy the nightlife.

If you still have energy Portland catches it’s second wind and the nightlife in Portland can rival most cities. Bars, clubs, music halls, art openings, and street events make the whole year easy to not get disheartened by the weather. You have to experience Portal Party/Shaq-Time at the StarDay Tavern on Tuesday nights. What a dance party and fun crowd. The Get Down, The Goodfoot and the North Warehouse are always poppin on the weekends with dance parties to make you never wanna leave. If you just want to grab a drink The Portland Whiskey Closest has one of the largest whiskey collections in the world and is a must see to believe. If I just want to go zone out and have some fun the two arcades in town Ground Kontrol and Quarter World always provide. Grab a drink and play some video games. It will give you the boost you need to feel content with you day.

This is just a scratch of the surface and Portland is amazing. I moved here 9 years ago and am still discovering places to fall in love with. I have shared a lot but just know you will want to comeback even if you did everything I talked about. Each season has its fun. Chanterelle picking in the fall is too secret to talk about but its an experience of a lifetime. So maybe a local could give you some tips on where to explore if

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
YO!!! S/O to Dan Cohen of DC-Creative Labs outta Portland, OR. *fog horn noises* On a real note though Dan Cohen thank you so much for believing in me and giving me my first big wall experience. Wouldn’t be where I am today without your tutelage on mural painting and charging what Im worth.

Also my artist community which is far more of a family than just contemporaries. The brothers and sisters I call when I need an ear are Leo Shallat, Alex “Dusty Fox” Southworth, Munta Eric Mpwo, Wokeface, Devin Finley, Mari Shibuya, Betsy Yates and Danny Stephenson they deserve recognition beyond words. Having an incredible support system of creatives, who are smart business leaders, was key to my growth as a successful artist. All these people have been there for me when I needed help. They all have reached out to me when they needed mine.

Website: Calebjay.net

Instagram: www.instagram.com/calebjay.art

Image Credits
Beth Kerschen Lyra Photography Henry Cromett