Meet Jada Tufifn | Collegiate Athlete, Student, and Artist

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

Hi Jada, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks is incredibly important in not only the process towards a successful career/future but life in general. I live by the saying “If you are comfortable, you are not growing.” There is a strong level of discomfort that comes with taking risks and stepping outside of your routine. In my strides to becoming a better person, artist, and athlete the biggest steps were made when I put myself in risky and uncomfortable positions. You must become familiar with loss, embarrassment, and failure to progress your career and work your way towards the best version of yourself.

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 like to treat the very act of living as an art. I’m constantly curating a mental space that digests life in its rawest most destructive form and generates something beautiful and euphoric. In an attempt to fulfill the constant urge to create, I fill the rooms around me with physical works made with whatever materials I can get my hands on. From four-foot canvases decorated with months’ worth of oil painted brush strokes to a knitted top I weaved together in a few days, I’m constantly creating. Because I have so many interests in many different fields inside and outside of the artistic/creative world, time for focusing on my artwork is limited. Because of this limited time, I often let aspects of my art flood into my everyday life. In my intricate and bold style, I’m usually wearing jewelry I made myself, hand me downs I’ve upcycled and sized, and loud/bright makeup choices. In my grueling but rewarding life as a collegiate athlete I turn to photography to capture emotions that arise from the intensity and turn these images into collages of motivation. In the strive to deepen my academic integrity I find every chance I get to turn an essay into a piece of poetry. It is never easy to put yourself out there and loudly be yourself in a world that judges and belittles difference. I’ve learned to find it empowering and often times comical to be looked at like I’m crazy. Or to receive backhanded comments about my style or bodily choices. Or to not be taken seriously as an academic or athlete because of my artistic inclinations. People always have something to say, but I’ve found that whenever I actually get to know someone being authentic to themselves, no matter how different they are from me, I can’t help but love them. And the goal of my art is to help me become myself and spread love while doing it.

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.
I’m a huge nature person and love to find little secluded spots around me. We would definitely start the day strong by getting coffee/lunch and plants at the local spot in Boston Green Haus Cafe. The food and environment there is fantastic and doubling as a plant shop makes leaving without another leafy kid nearly impossible. Then I’d show them all the little spots around Boston College campus where I like to go read, listen to music, and paint. To end the day off I’ve been dying to go whale watching and am in the perfect city for it! Would definitely head to the cost and pick up some binoculars and sketchpad.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shoutout my dad for never letting me believe I am anything less than capable of greatness and my mom for reminding me to always keep creating no matter what I achieve. And to the strangers I’ve met along the way who have made themselves incomprehensively important to my interpretation of what it means to be loved and understood, a special thank you.

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/jadatuffin

Instagram: @Jadatuffin