Welcome back to the StudioHouse Quarterly Newsletter!
We’ve made it to the second newsletter of the year! Yay!
And for those just joining us, I’m Jakia Fuller, a multidisciplinary artist, designer, writer, and podcaster living a life full of adventure in Albuquerque, NM. I create art, clothing, spaces, and experiences that bring a smile to faces, spark joy, and welcome calm and stillness. I explore various forms and concepts of landscapes: internal, relational, environmental, societal, and cultural. Specifically, intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships, expressions of self, ecological awareness, and evolving narratives of the Black diaspora. I welcome you to bring your interpretation and experiences to the work.
Reflection Time
These past few months since I transitioned full-time in my creative practice and expression, have been an experience. I don’t know what I thought it would be like, but it didn’t look like this. It is full of humbling and vulnerable moments, many shifts in mindset and realignments, and steep learning curves. There were times of celebration, excitement, and accomplishment while shedding light on where and how I needed to step it up and grow. I’ve grown a lot, even though I haven’t gotten any taller.
But through it all, I’m grateful for this window of time where I am living out my dreams and being fully present in my creative expression. It’s one heck of an adventure, and I know it’s just the beginning. I’m looking forward to this journey I’ve committed to, by putting foot to path, one step at a time.
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) Round-Up
- Previous StudioHouse Quarterly Newsletter
- Greg and Gary: The Newest Residents of StudioHouse. In mid-January, I adopted brothers Greg and Gary, Great Pyrenees and Siberian Husky Mix, from the Westside Animal Shelter. My days are definitely full in ways that I could have never imagined and I’m grateful for it.
- Black In Project
- Introduced a new area to the project, educational illustrations, focusing on highlighting the amazing work, accomplishments, and achievements of those across the Diaspora.
- Writings
- Personal Essays: When I cook, I see my father’s hands
- SideBar: An Ode to Applesauce
- SideBar: Friend, A Definition
- SideBar: Trust, Exposing the Root
- RDC Guild Journal: Ready? It’s time to add a sense of adventure to your everyday life!
- RDC Guild Journal: How to add a sense adventure to your everyday life
- Sustainable Fashion: 25 Resources to learn about sustainable fashion
In the Studio – Art
We got alot to be mad about…And yet we still rise, 2025
Current # in series: 8
Inspired by Solange’s Mad and Dr. Maya Angelou’s poem Still I Rise, We got a lot to be mad about..And yet we still rise, acknowledges that from our collective histories and today’s climate, we do, have a lot to be angry about, but in spite of it all, we still rise. I focused on the use of bold colors because every issue, platform, group, etc has a color that it is associated with. I welcome viewers to sit and reflect on which issues and topics come to mind. As the series title suggests, there’s a lot to be mad about and it’s okay to be angry. But I propose the following questions; what will you do with that anger? Will you allow the opposition to have you become bitter, downtrodden, dejected, helpless, disassociated, and the like? Or will you face it head-on? Will it be channeled into a righteous and inspired anger that serves as momentum to move the collective conscious forward in its intended direction?
Now more than ever, we need more joy. And yes, two can be true. It’s imperative in these challenging times, that we are able to chew gum and walk at the same time, meaning, be present in the anger, but don’t let your joy or laughter be taken from your spirit. Because that is what “they” are counting on. Just as Solange gives us permission it’s okay to be mad, but reminds us to release it and let it go. While Dr. Maya Angelou encourages us to look it directly in the face, question it, state it plainly, and rise. Rise in spite of the hatred, shame, and pain. And Toni Morrison cautions us by stating anger is a paralyzing emotion where if you’re not careful you can’t get anything done. So I ask, what will you do?
Stillness is here…within me 3B, 4B & 2B, 2025
Drawings| Plants of the Middle Rio Grande Bosque
While doing research, I came across this amazing resource inaturalist, where a local organization the Yerba Mansa Project worked with Albuquerque students to create a field guide of the plants of the Middle Rio Grande Bosque. While browsing I came across plants that I had seen while taking the train to Santa Fe, but could never get a clear picture from how fast we were moving. This was my chance to learn more about some of those plants and create drawings.
Internal Landscapes – An Abstract Perspective on Mercurial Topographies
Current # in series: 6
An abstract perspective on the mercurial topographies within us. There are various ways to express and communicate how we feel to ourselves and others internally and externally. It’s my normal routine to check in with myself. To see how I’m doing and feeling throughout the day. Some examples are, ‘What’s the landscape or terrain looking like today?’, ‘How high is the river?’, ‘How fast is the current?’ or another favorite, ‘What’s the forecast?’. What I like about each of these questions is that they allow for constant, abrupt, and volatile change. It serves as a reminder that it’s healthy to go through various states throughout the hour, day, and week. Allows for multiple truths to be true all at once, simultaneously, dependent, and independent of one another.
Orbit: Friendship Cartographies
A visual representation of coming to terms with the state of my friendships: the frequency of engagement, proximity, strength of bonds, and seasons. As I age, I’ve learned to detach and embrace how people come in and out of my life. Some present for a moment. Others for a season. And some who are more consistent. There are also levels to these relationships. For me, it was necessary to lay it out to get a better grasp and understanding of the people in my life and how they showed up. I found this process therapeutic in finding closure in the chapter on friendship insecurity. I’m inspired to turn this into a series, where I’m exploring in more depth the different transits we make and create in one another’s lives. So stay tuned for that.
What’s On The Horizon
I’m truly looking forward to being more present in the various communities I’m a part of through collaborations, partnerships and being physically present and actively engaged. I’ve planted seeds and am excited to see what germinates and sprouts.
On the Calendar
- May 10th: Live Art for the 5yr Sprouting Kitchen Party
- July 11th – July 25th: First Solo-exhibition: Oscillation
- July 11th: Opening Reception
- July 12th: Tentative | Artist Talk
Writing
- Review + Critique of the film Sinners
- SideBar: Maturing in friendships
- Sustainable Fashion: Conscious Consumerism…What’s that?
- Sustainable Fashion: How to build a capsule wardrobe
- Sustainable Fashion: Getting dressed: How to love what you wear daily
- Sustainable Fashion: Questions to ask yourself when shopping
- Personal Essay: Shedding Narratives + Other Stories of Self
- RDC Guild Journal: How decorating your space is an opportunity for moments of adventure and wonder
Black In Project
- Main Feature: Eric Nixon
- Main Feature: Nakita Pope
- Educational Illustrations:
- Althea Gibson
- African American Senators Pt. 1
- Mary McLeod Bethune
- A Word From Our Ancestors: Debra Johns
- A Word From Our Ancestors: Peter Williams
In the Studio – Art
- Oscillation Exhibition Prep
More information coming soon!
Really rough sketches of works for the exhibition
- Exploration: Daily Sketches
I’m challenging myself to create quick brief sketches each day of my favorite teas, topics I’m writing about and more.
Remnant Design Co.
- Photoshoot for Variant by Design’s Collection, The Precipice, with clothing coming to the Shoppe in late May.
Shoppe Update!
After much reflection, I realized that I was undervaluing myself, and that’s not okay. I truly believe in myself and the beautiful, thoughtful, and intentional work I create. Therefore, there will be changes in the Shoppe and what I’m offering.
Ways To Support
If you love and resonate with the work I’m creating, you may be thinking how can I support Jakia? Well here are some ways you can support:
- Become a collector of my art and clothing designs.
- Comment or write an email sharing what you are resonating with.
- Share my art, design, writing, and projects with a friend, family member, colleague or acquaintance.
- If you know of any opportunities that may be a great fit for me, send it my way.
- Donate
Stay connected: IG, FB, Pinterest and Cara
Jarifuller 
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