Meet Jenna Sherman / Crux my heart: Artist, Painting Instructor, DJ, Music Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenna Sherman / Crux my heart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenna, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
In my Kindergarten yearbook I wrote, “I want to be an artist when I grow up”, I always knew my purpose and I followed it. The pure fantasy and obsession with painting, drawing, and music I had as a little girl was unstoppable, and as an adult, blossomed into this fierce drive I have to succeed in what I do, because I refuse to do anything else. Risk is in everything that I do.
It all started when I made the risk in applying to only art schools for college, and all across the country far away from Los Angeles. I moved to Boston, and attended The School of the Museum of Fine Arts. I learned so much about myself, my talent, my interests, it was where I blossomed. I was one of the only students at my school that painted hyper realism, I honestly felt alienated. But, I followed my passion and my heart and I did what I wanted to do no matter what anyone said.

I taught myself how to DJ in my dorm room on my Traktor S4. I soon moved into my first apartment and threw the wildest ragers. I Dj’d in my basement all night long for underage college kids, and that was my practice. By the time I was 19 I used my fake ID to get into bars and clubs and started DJing every weekend all over the city. I got a residency at the newest club by 20, and opened for my idols. Without the risks I took I wouldn’t be anywhere today.

I moved back to LA after school, and that’s when I realized that the career path I chose was the biggest risk in every way. But, if you’re going to take a risk you have to go all the way because there is no turning back. And I am all in.

By the time I was 25 I was sick and tired of struggling financially, I wanted to succeed more than anything! That’s when I created my business Blaze & Brush, a weed friendly step by step painting class. It was terrifying but I knew it was the answer, I had to create my own job. I took that risk and put everything I had into it, I had zero dollars for marketing, but it took off (it was not easy). All it took was determination and true passion.

Takings risks is the key to being an artist, you have to or else you won’t get anywhere. The risks I’ve taken have brought to me where I am today, and that’s incredible. I’m sure there are many more obstacles that lie ahead of me on this path I have chosen but those moments of hardship are what shape me & make me a better artist. My best advice to anyone is trust your intuition, take that risk, give it your all & don’t look back.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a multifaceted artist focusing in oil painting, music production, graphic design, and photography. My work, in some shape or form, embodies nostalgia, I am highly inspired by my memories. I also use my synesthetic capabilities to bring my music and visual art together. (Synesthesia is a neurological phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences between color and sound). One of my favorite projects was my senior thesis, I used synesthesia to paint three portraits. The subject of each portrait provided me with a playlist of music. After listening, I was then able to construct a composition and color pallet based on the synesthetic experience I had. I then created an electronically produced soundtrack to emulate their energy. The result revealed how ones identity can be defined with color and sound.

My artwork today is mainly realism portraiture. I love painting people, it is a very challenging and tedious process, but the moment I capture ones soul in their eyes is the most satisfying experience. I am working on developing my style and trying a more free and expressive approach to painting. I am constantly trying new things and pushing myself to go out of my comfort zone, that is where the magic happens.

I have been a DJ for 9 years, I can spin just about any genre from the 70s to present. I was an open format Dj for many years which is truly what made me an excellent DJ. Crux my heart is my music project, and my music to come embodies nostalgia through minimal electronic trap production. Im highly inspired by 2000s hip-hop, sampling from my favorite artists, and highlighting my greatest influences. In the next 6 months I plan to release some remixes and originals!

Because I have many creative outlets I am constantly working on something. I have my own art studio where I work on my paintings, and an at home studio where I work on my music. When I’m not working on my personal art, I am running my business Blaze & Brush, a weed friendly step by step painting class that I started in 2019. I often do graphic design work for music artists, and love to paint album art! I always have a film camera with me to shoot my crazy friends around me. And lastly I am a scenic artist and set builder for film, and photoshoots! This is why my friends call me a “Hustler”.

How I got to where I am today was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I have overcome many challenges by giving myself no other option but to succeed and hustling hard. You have to be absolutely obsessed with what you do, especially as an artist. The pure desire and determination to follow your dreams is simply unstoppable, you just have to believe in yourself. I’ve learned that things will fall into place if you work hard enough, the universe rewards you… eventually. Reaching a point of satisfaction and completion still feels so far away, and I’m not sure if it will ever come, but that’s what keeps me going. I know there are many challenges ahead and I am not at all done yet! I am always striving for more, but I’ve learned how important it is to remember where I started and give myself some credit for how far I’ve come.

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.
In Los Angeles there are endless things to do! I would take them to Venice Beach, where I grew up so they can see where it all started. I’d bring them to my art studio in the heart of downtown. We’d go on a few of my favorite hikes in the Hollywood hills. If bars and clubs were open I’d take them to Sound Nightclub, Brickyard pub to play some pool, and my next DJ gig! We’d have a long list of restaurants to go to; 26 Beach cafe, HOME restaurant, Izakaya Osen, and Sonoratown. We’d hang with my amazing group of friends who are all music artists, writers, producers, musicians. Lot’s of game nights and dance parties! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my Mom who never once questioned my career choice. I love you.

Website: JennaShermanArt.com BlazeandBrushLA.com

Instagram: @Cruxmyheart @JennaShermanArt @BlazeandBrush

Twitter: @Cruxmyheart