Meet J.K. Gordon

Today we’d like to introduce you to J.K. Gordon.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the art, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
All through my youth and into my early adulthood I was a competitive athlete. I played college soccer at Coastal Carolina University and semi-professionally for the Carolina Cobras. Unfortunately, my lingering injuries got the best of my body and I was faced with finding a new way of expressing myself and really just healing emotionally. This is when my career as an artist really began. I had always been a creative and artistic child; Drawing, building things, and writing countless short stories and poems so I decided to water that seed inside myself again.

I started writing poetry daily (although very rarely letting anyone read it) and painting, making huge abstracts and mixed media messes really just to cleanse my own heart and ward of the depression I had from no longer being able to compete at a high level, but then something unexpected happened… people wanted to buy them. So, I sold them silly cheap at first really must to have space in my apartment to keep creating and eventually it becomes my source of income to help support me through the rest of college education and into today. Offerings collective evolved differently.

As I began to study the state of the world, and ultimately volunteering in the Americorps teaching health and wellness to underserved communities after graduation, I realized I wanted to find a way to help people be healthy but in a way that wouldn’t break the bank but also wouldn’t be over complicated. I also realized that a traditional 9-5, and taking orders from someone else wasn’t going to be the way for me. So, the seed of owning my own small business was planted and this started a long road of trial and error and seemingly random endeavors.

Everything changed when I fell in love with plants while growing my first vegetable garden. I was beyond intrigued watching them flourish and wanted to know everything about them. I began studying not only vegetables and their nourishing qualities but all herbs and wild plants as well. I studied and became an herbalist and then felt comfortable experimenting with extraction and product creation, and it just evolved from there! All the products I create are made by me personally, low allergen, and use minimal ingredients, they are an option to health and self-care that is affordable/accessible and not overly complicated.

The name of my business, Offerings Collective, is close to my heart. All the cultures in my DNA utilize offerings to connect to Spirit. To honor Spirit. To me, everything I create is just that, and not only an offering to Spirit, but to the higher good, and ultimately and offering to the community… the people! I chose to make my business a collective because I am a multi-passionate person and I wanted it to ultimately house everything.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t been a completely smooth road, as I outlined in my story. Also battling anxiety and ADHD has made things a little bumpy at times and I’m not always as productive as I feel I should be. Natural supplements help me tremendously. I always make sure to mention these things when people ask because I know I’m not the only one and it’s always better to create dialogue as a form of support and community.

We’d love to hear more about your art.
As an artist I create whatever my heart desires when it desires, usually mixed media pieces or large scale abstracts. I also love mixing my poetry with my art. I also upcycle vintage (take older pieces and essentially make them wearable art! Think hand-painted and embroidered denim, reworked cut and sew pieces, etc.)

As a business owner, Offerings Collective, I specialize in small-batch apothecary products (think tinctures, salves, glycerites, and other personal care and wellness products) and intentional home goods (think handmade herb and sage bundles for burning, hand-shaped clay smudging dishes, candles, etc.).

Overall as an independent artist and as a small business owner, I think I am most proud of having my goods and creations accessible. I’m trying to bring you joy and a form of healing not completely drain your pockets. I am always willing to work with my customers and clients.

What were you like growing up?
I was a very creative and social kid. I was always building, drawing, and writing short stories and poetry and wanting to read and show everyone. My mom always said I never knew a stranger, I would introduce myself to everyone else. lol. I wish it was still like that. I was also a competitive athlete, playing on select teams and traveling the country for tournaments.

Pricing:

• I charge $65 dollars an hour for commissioned art pieces, and prefer to maintain my own creative vision with the clients input along the way.
• All of The Offerings Collective products can be found on etsy.com/offeringscollective and all products are currently under $20

Contact Info:

• Email: jkgordonart@gmail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/sweetearthmamma
• Facebook: facebook.com/jkgordonart

Image Credit:
All photos taken or created by me (J.K. Gordon).

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