We recently had the chance to connect with Jesse Ryan Crosby and have shared our conversation below.
Jesse Ryan , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
My music and art always carries me home. Sometimes it takes a few hours for me to find my flow. I usually spend that time just flushing out concepts over and over and over. Sometimes it takes weeks for me to feel like I’ve really exercised all my energy and efforts into bringing a piece to life, and other times words or ideas come to me in the middle of the night and songs or visual works will come together much quicker than a piece I spent months on. I always say that my creativity is all I have. It’s really all I am intrinsically good at. I know that there is nothing else for me. I read something the other day that really resonated, “Art is medicine. It heals in ways that cannot be measured or explained. It reaches places therapy cannot touch. What you do is not optional. it is essential.”
So, without a doubt- my creativity is my safe heaven.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jesse and I am a multidisciplinary artist, poet, and musician. I am the sole owner and artist of my business, Jesse Ryan Crosby Studio. You can find me and my work at community art markets all over town, and I am also a consignment artist in a local storefront in Denver called Chroma, which is a really cool space selling a variety of local art, candles, flowers, and goods. I sell a variety of fine art prints, relief prints, stickers, screen printed totes, and tees. 10% of proceeds from each purchase of my screen-printed garments are donated to alternating LGBTQIA+ non-profits. I am also a part of the North Boulder Arts District, and most recently debuted a solo show from a massive body of work titled Unlocking Hope. That was a major personal and professional feat, and super well-received, which is everything any artist could ask for. Right now, I’m just continuously creating and allowing myself to experiment and expand. I’m also in full-swing of my busiest market season, which I am super grateful for!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
This is a hard one. I’m not necessarily sure this part of me served its purpose, but more-so was a version of me that I had to let go. For a really long time, I really tried to control a lot of what I did and how I did it, in really unhealthy coping ways-and it just ate me up inside.
The past handful of years has been me just working on my healing, and releasing control. On all levels and all layers – personally and creatively.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Treat yourself with so much more kindness, love, and care. You deserve it. I love you.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Returning to my breath. There’s this line from a piece I wrote, “With presence of my breath, I am home.”
It was something I learned in mindfulness therapy a handful of years ago to help me manage my panic attacks and depression. Now it’s something I try to commit to daily. Some days it just doesn’t feel like it will happen for me. But when you arrive at this place where your mind settles for even just 30 seconds and you’re just sitting in the moment, fully aware; nothing else matters.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What light inside you have you been dimming?
Just sharing all of me unapologetically. Some days, I notice that I still hold back from sharing parts of myself or creative works because of this weird internal dialogue I have about being good enough and being received well. Still workin’ on that one!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jesseryancrosby.com/
- Instagram: @jesseryancrosby
Image Credits
All images and artwork provided by the artist. All images and text remain the sole © of Jesse Ryan Crosby.
