This interview was curated by KIR ART & FASHION & START Shows

Justine Norris, known professionally as Jus The Artist, is a multidisciplinary visual artist whose work explores healing, identity, and becoming through bold expression and storytelling. Guided by lived experience and inspired by nature, culture, and lineage, her practice blends visual art with poetry and spoken word to create deeply emotive, story-driven pieces. From intimate studio work to curated exhibitions across the country, Norris is building a body of work that invites connection, reflection, and transformation. Her most recent exhibition, Vibes + Vibrance, curated by Xavier Fine Art in Pensacola, Florida, marked a pivotal moment in her career—affirming her voice as an artist while signaling a new era of soulful, intentional creation designed to heal, connect, and elevate her growing community of collectors.

How did you get your Artist name?

When I decided to take on the challenge of turning my passion into profit, I knew I needed a name that was memorable and built to last. I’m a multifaceted, multi-passionate person and artist—simply put, I wear a lot of hats both personally and professionally: wife, mother, sister, friend, curator, graphic designer…the list goes on. While I wear those hats proudly, I also knew that if my art was going to thrive, I had to keep the main thing the main thing—creating intentional space for Jus The Artist to grow, evolve, and stand on its own.

How did you get into creating?

My mom is actually the reason I began creating—every part of my creativity started with her. My family is from the Bronx, New York, and we were born into the projects. Both of my parents had to grow up earlier than they would have liked because of their circumstances and environment. When they became parents, my mom especially was very intentional about keeping us busy so we didn’t go looking for trouble, as curious kids often do.

My father joined the military as a young man, looking for a way to care for his family when my mom became pregnant with me. Because military life took him away often, I think my mom was always searching for ways to keep our spirits—my sister’s and mine—lifted. She would bring home little crafts for us to do; it felt like art class at home. Those moments creating with her and my sister meant everything to me. Nothing else really mattered.

As the years went on, my dad began receiving orders overseas, and I started experiencing life as “the new kid.” My environments changed quickly, and I turned to drawing—to create worlds when mine felt lonely or hard to handle. I was about 10 years old when we started moving, and I would draw makeup looks and fashion designs just for fun. Drawing became medicine, a way to cope with my anxieties.

Over time, I would put my pencil down for a while, only picking it up again for high school art credits. But as life’s challenges became more complex, I always found my way back to the sketchpad—almost like I was asking it for answers. I’d put my headphones on and sketch cartoons, tattoos, dreams, feelings—whatever I was holding inside.

Around 17, I had a moment where I realized, damn… I haven’t been practicing, but my skills are improving. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a random interest. My talent was a gift. And I think that’s where my creator arc was truly born.

Where are you from?

I like to say Im from Earth. Not a simple answer as a military brat so lets break it down. I was born in the Bronx, New York and I do feel the most at home there in many ways. I was raised over seas, completing highschool in Japan. I started my family and currently reside in Jacksonville, FL. My family is Puerto Rican and I keep that pride with me always.

How did growing up in your neighborhood/city affect you?

While being the new kid often stirred up the occasional anxieties, I absolutely loved traveling and experiencing other cultures. I was blessed to be able to complete all middle school years in one place; Sicily, Italy. And all my highschool years in Tokyo, Japan. Each of these cultures imprinted on my heart immediately for so many different reasons. Being exposed to these different cultures, seeing, absorbing, experiencing different ways of life; My family was breaking bread with Sicilian locals and educating ourselves on Japanese customs; I think experiencing these moments as a child, made me "well-rounded", compassionate, and not just tolerant of other cultures, but made me forever interested in the cultural difference of man and how that impacts our lives.

What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?

I am self taught; 95% of my knowledge has been acquired through Youtube, TikTok/IG tutorials, or imitating my favorite artists or cartoon characters, I have this belief that with enough instruction I can do just about anything. I didn't realize or believe art school was an option for me until later in life, after I had children and was in my 30s. I decided in 2025 to attend school to pursue my degree in Graphic Design; adding another medium to my tool kit.

What does your current setup look like?

I had a storage unit that I partially used as a studio space in the fall of 2025, but my family and I fell on some hard times. I was a stay-at-home mom from 2023 to 2024 after my son was born, following a difficult pregnancy. Sacrifices had to be made, and my in-laws provided a much-needed soft place to land—but it didn’t leave much room for a dedicated studio. As a family of five, I couldn’t ask to take up more space than we already were. We’ve been here for about a year now, and they’ve been incredibly supportive, allowing me to temporarily turn just about any space into a place to create. Because I haven’t quite manifested my studio home yet—and resources are often stretched—I create wherever I can, with whatever I have. I’ll paint on my bed, on the floor, in the garage, or in the backyard (my favorite place to work is outdoors, surrounded by nature). I sketch during church. I’m quick to throw down a tarp and paint right where I stand if the moment calls for it. I keep a sketchbook with me at all times because you never know when inspiration will strike. I work across multiple mediums—my favorites include acrylic markers, paintbrushes, spray paint, sponges, canvas, clothing, leather, denim, sketchbooks, and pencils. As I continue to grow and mature as an artist, I’m excited to explore oil paints and charcoal next, while also diving deeper into my fashion designer bag.

Who inspires you?

I draw most of my inspiration from nature, my culture, and my lineage. My work is deeply rooted in lived experiences and the possibilities of what can be experienced, more so than any single individual. I’m inspired by Mother Nature and by women—the powerful beings that we are. I’m also inspired by history, specifically origin stories and the journeys of different people.

There are artists I admire deeply across a wide range of styles, from legends like Pollock, Warhol, Kahlo, and Van Gogh, to living artists such as Cose, Joe Stublik, C1mah, Chris Clark, and the team at Xavier Fine Art. I remember Joe speaking on an artist panel at my very first art show—ironically, also with Start Shows—when he joked that he thought the opportunity was a scam. In that moment, I knew I had found my people.

I’m inspired by each of these individuals’ ability to change their lives and harness creativity as a way to persevere. What’s more inspiring than that?

What is your goal when you create?

To remind people—my people specifically—that we live in a world full of infinite possibility. And while that can be terrifying, it can also be deeply encouraging, because when we allow ourselves to be, we are co-creators of our own existence, and what we choose to enable and feed into determines the outcome.

To encourage those who need it, when they need it. To inspire others to get curious about their lives and realize that you can do whatever it is you want—you just have to be brave enough to try and go for it.

And to be clear, my people extends to any group or like-minded individual who encourage freedom of expression regardless of race, gender, social status, occupation, or background. Art is for everyone, simply put.

Why do you create?

For so many reasons, I create for my mental health. I don’t feel like myself when I can’t be creative. In fact, no matter the environment I find myself in—personally or professionally—I will always find a way to create. Like water, finding the path of least resistance, I flow.

I create for my family, because my kids are watching me. I need them to know that life is what we make it—it isn’t just happening to them—and that there is no “can’t,” only “won’t.” All you have to do is try, and your passion will guide you.

Lastly, I create because I feel a sacred duty to do so. I was given this gift, these ideas, for a reason—not just for me or my family, but for the world. And if sharing my work, my story, and my experiences helps even one person change the momentum of their life, it’s worth it.

How has choosing your creative path affected your life?

It is still changing my life as we speak; everything is happening so fast. I still feel like a small fish in a big pond, building my name and my brand, but I can feel the shifts happening. Each opportunity to share my work has led to bigger opportunities and unexpected blessings.

It has been incredibly validating to witness people not only show interest in my work, but in me. I doubted myself and my abilities for so long. I convinced myself I wasn’t worthy of what I’m now receiving—that I wasn’t skilled enough, didn’t have the right connections, or lacked a signature style.

2025 showed me what was possible for my art career. 2026 is where I execute and make it my reality—and I’ve already started. My family and I are now able to move into our own space. I have investors reaching out to me directly, interested in my work and collecting my pieces. I have artists and other creatives recognizing my name and coming to me to collaborate.

It’s truly beautiful to witness your hard work paying off in real time.

Did you have to overcome any obstacles along the way?

Honestly, obstacles have been a constant in my journey. I’ve had to pivot my entire life—financially, creatively, emotionally. There have been so many moments where I questioned everything I was doing and wondered if it would be easier to quit. But my spirit just won’t let me. Every time something goes left, I’ve been forced to get more creative, more resourceful, and more honest about how badly I want this.

To date, I’ve been part of four shows, and every single one has come with an unexpected challenge. Looking back, those moments are what shaped me—and honestly, they’re how I became a traveling artist.

My very first show was with Start Shows at the BAM Red Dot exhibition in Manhattan. I was living in Jacksonville, unemployed at the time, and feeling stuck. I remember scrolling Instagram, frustrated with my circumstances, when the open call popped up. I applied thinking I had nothing to lose and didn’t really expect a response. When I got the message that Sophocles loved my work and wanted to feature me, it felt unreal. Manhattan. My first show. As a self-taught artist, that wasn’t something you turn down.

I applied before even telling my husband, which made that conversation… interesting. Finances were tight, and here I was asking to fly to New York to live out an artist dream. But before I could finish my pitch, he was already booking flights and scouting the gallery. That kind of support changed everything.

I shipped my work a few days early, wrapped carefully—but made the rookie mistake of using standard mail. We arrived in New York on Wednesday, with the show opening Friday, and my work still hadn’t arrived. The next day, I checked the tracking and realized it had never even left Florida. I panicked. I was convinced I’d be the artist with an empty wall at my first show—thousands of miles from home with zero supplies.

Soph asked me one simple question: “Can you paint something new?” At first, I said no. Then I realized it was my only option. I bought the most basic supplies I could afford, turned my cousin's living room into a makeshift studio, and painted nonstop for nearly 18 hours. I was exhausted, my body hurt, and there were moments I cried while working through the piece. But I kept going.

By 5 a.m., Ancestral Hands was finished. I slept for two hours, delivered the piece, and—ironically—found out my original work arrived on time after all. But something tells me that if I had quit, the outcome would’ve been different. Ancestral Hands sold, and today it’s still a symbol of my resilience—it even lives on my business card.

That experience taught me that the work will always test you before it rewards you. And every time I choose not to quit, something meaningful meets me on the other side.

What's your go-to song right now and why is it important to you?

Music is such an important part of my life. It has the power to change my mood in an instant; the right song has the power to transport you to a different time, place, or mindset. I always have a few songs on repeat; right now the first song I always play to set the right tone is " Better " by Erica Mason; see Ive always been better at articulating my feelings and thoughts visually, but with words? They get in the way and my message never comes out right. This song puts into words perfectly how I feel about life and my ability to keep persevering despite everyone else's judgment and opinions. I listen to it almost daily, to remind myself that I have nothing to prove to anyone but me. My favorite line: "This the last time I ever dim my light to make you feel better
People will try to silence you when they know they ain’t on your level"

What is your dream as an artist and what steps are you taking to reach your dream?

I’ve been reflecting on this a lot lately. I dream of living a fully creative life every day as a result of my work. I dream of people recognizing my art at first glance. My goal is to build multiple streams of income, all born from—or deeply connected to—my creative genius.

I currently have an art print mail club in the works, designed to bring exclusive pieces directly to people’s mailboxes. I also dream of opening my own gallery—one that serves as a space to curate meaningful creative experiences, showcase both emerging and established artists, and provide resources directly to creatives. My hope is that the gallery grows into something expansive enough to give back to the community, including sponsoring emerging artists and creating pathways for those who may need them most.

My heart aches for all the art that never gets made and all the dreams that go unfollowed because of circumstance. I’ve always felt that the art world can be gatekept, and I’m on a mission to help change that. Art is for everyone, and the right imagery at the right time has the power to influence culture—and history itself.

Beyond the gallery and the print club, I want to explore fashion and develop an elevated streetwear line for both men and women. I’m normally a private person and don’t love showing all my cards at once, but I will say this: I’m actively working toward each of these goals. Through collaboration with incredibly talented artists and creators—such as Xavier Fine Art—I’m curating experiences that blend art, music, and fashion, while also pushing myself to pitch Jus The Artist to investors and potential sponsors.

What would you tell someone else with a dream?

Friend, dreamer, if your'e reading this. I don't care how ridiculous your dream seems, if it sets your soul on fire...you cannot afford to ignore it. Your dreams, your passions..they aren't random. They are assignments. Your gifts will absolutely make a way for you but you have to feed the passion and allow yourself to become the person you are dreaming about. It wont be easy, in fact it will be the hardest thing you've ever done. You may be surprised who falls out of your life as you align with your purpose, but when you use your soul as a compass you really can't go wrong. My high school vice principal said something to me on a graduation day that stuck with me "as long as you make every decision with your heart, it will never be the wrong choice".

Just go for it. What do you really have to lose?

Tell us about your most recent release

I’m actually writing this fresh off my most recent exhibition, Vibes + Vibrance, curated by Xavier Fine Art in Pensacola, Florida. It was a luxe, elegant show that created space for genuine connection—both with collectors and with investors throughout the Gulf Breeze and Pensacola community. The Xavier Fine Art team did an exceptional job curating an experience where artists were truly taken seriously, and where storytelling was central to the work.

During the show, I had the opportunity to share spoken word alongside my visual pieces, which allowed collectors to engage not just with the art itself, but with the intention and emotion behind it. That depth of connection translated meaningfully—I sold two original paintings and one print during the exhibition. One of those originals, Not All Seeds, was my first completed work of 2026 and was paired with original poetry.

That piece also served as a soft launch and teaser for my upcoming art print mail club, The Soul Post, which focuses on healing, connection, and elevation through art and written word. Vibes + Vibrance felt like a pivotal moment—both affirming my voice as an artist and signaling an exciting new chapter in how I share my work with collectors and the community.

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/_justheartist/

Facebook.com

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557408037615

Website

https://www.cohart.com/justheartist/profile

Photography credit: Onyx J. | Brand Elevation & Visibility Strategist