My creative journey
Hey all, I am Jay, a creative writing and textile art graduate turned writer, painter, and comic artist.
I have lived in four different countries for some amount of time but am currently based in the United States.
I am a queer artist, author, and occasional witch. A combination creates the perfect trifecta for insanity or devilry.
At the moment I work a full-time job and create the rest of the time. I am currently writing a series of five linked novellas or painting.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed your stay. All support is appreciated and welcome!
Creative philosophy
I strongly believe that art should be accessible to everyone in form and concept. Color, texture, and abstraction are a universal language that speaks to the senses and emotions.
My identity
As a queer artist and writer, my work is deeply informed by my experiences and the communities I cherish. And sometimes it’s fun to just see what happens.
Writing
I find joy powerful narratives that challenge stereotypes and highlight the beauty of queer identities.
CV
- Bachelor of Fine Arts; Major: Textiles; Minor: Art History, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
- Bachelor of Arts; Major: Creative Writing, University of Evansville, Evansville, IN
2025
“Sparks,” Gather Gallery, Bloomington, IN
2024
”Last Minute,” Backspace Gallery, Bloomington, IN
2023
“Candy. Love. Lust. Heartbreak,” Backspace Gallery, Bloomington, IN.
- Group show, two abstract paintings titled, “Hard Candy Crushes.”
2022
“Comic and Color,” I Fell Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
- A solo show exploring the connections between traditional abstract painting and digital comic art
”Holiday At Fair,” Bloomington Art Alliance, Bloomington IN
2018
“Sketch: A Group Show,” Ivy Tech John Waldron Art Center, Bloomington, IN
- Group Show organized by Jay Garst featuring art by Amanda Thompson, Juliana Burrell, Nicholas Burrus, Yvette Rosa, Kayla Fields, Jay Garst and Adrianna Heffner
2017
“Your Goddess is as Good as Mine,” I Fell Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
- Grow show/one night event organized by Amy Burrel
2016
”How the Feather Sisters Came to Rule the Night,” publication by Mantissa Etherbright
- Cover art, costuming and photograph by Jay Garst
“Manifest,” Ivy Tech John Waldron Art Center, Bloomington, IN
- Textile garments, modeling and instillation by Jay Garst
- Photographs by Amanda Thompson and Amy Fender
2013
“The Complete and Lesser Works of Shenanigan Cheesfield, ” publication by Richard McGowan
- Illustrations by Jay Garst
“Kamishibai Coppelia,” Ruth N. Halls Theater, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
- Visual Design collaboration with Amy Burrell and Jay Garst
2012
“On The Body,” The Fuller Projects, Bloomington, IN
- Group show with other members of The Textiles Artist Assembly.
- This show featured works that were shown or related to the human body.
“Hanging Tales,” The Fuller Projects, Bloomington, IN
- Solo show exploring the interconnections between types of narrative through art.
- A cross comparison between figurative narration and object association.
”Majestic Freiks,” publication by Richard McGowan
- Illustrations by Jay Garst
“The Bellvue Group,” Gallery Group, Bloomington, IN
- Mixed group of artists of varied mediums and backgrounds
“NSAL Emerging Artists Show,” Old National Bank/Monroe Bank Theatre Art Gallery, Bloomington, IN
- Juried group show, put on by the National Society of Arts & Letters
“The Kaleidoscope Project,” The Lodge, Bloomington, IN
- An interdisciplinary collaborative show, from a variety of artists
- This timed sequence of responses, and inspirations
“Floating,” Sweet Claire Bakery, Bloomington, IN
- Put on in tandem with the Bellevue Group
2011
“Eleven – Eleven – Eleven,” Fuller Projects, Bloomington, IN
- Textiles Artist Assembly, a group show
“Conflict within Containment,” The Fuller Projects, Bloomington, IN
- BFA interdisciplinary collaborative show, designed with Chris White
“Illustrated Moments,” Grunewald Gallery, Bloomington, IN
- BFA Graduating Show
“Indiana University: Textiles Area Show,” The Grunewald Gallery, Bloomington, IN
- Joint, BFA and MFA art show
2010
“Indiana University, Fine Arts Textiles Exhibit,” Donna’s Custom Framing, Nashville, IN
- A display of works from the Indiana University Textiles department
“The Slide Show Project,” The Lodge, Bloomington IN
- Planned, produced and created jointly between the Indiana University Textiles and the Sculpture students
“Hammer & Nail: The Space Between Us,” Performed at the Buskirk Chumley, Bloomington, IN
- Collaboration between students from the school of dance and the school of music
- Costume design done with Amy Burrel
“Polar Drifts: Projects from Northern Crossings,” The Grunewald Gallery, Bloomington, IN
- Performance designed by Leslie Sharpe to work in tandem with her show
- One night performance with Leslie Sharpe and Amy Burrel
“All Points Bulletin: Interventions on Climate Change,” The Grunewald Gallery, Bloomington, IN
- A group show put on in collaboration with the Canary Project
“Indiana University: Digital Art Area Show,” The Grunewald Gallery, Bloomington, IN
- This work was designed and constructed in tandem with Amy Burrel
“Indiana University: Textiles Area Show,” The Grunewald Gallery, Bloomington, IN
- A display of works from the Indiana University Textiles department
2009
“Indiana University, Fine Arts Textiles Exhibit,” Donna’s Custom Framing, Nashville, IN
- A display of works from the Indiana University Textiles department
“Dialogues,” The Fuller Projects, Bloomington, IN
- With Adolfo Cifuentes, Julian Hensarling & Amy Burrel
“Lotus Festival,” Bloomington, IN
- Collaborative projected between Indiana University’s Textiles Department and Lotus Festival, Visual Art’s Village
“Indiana University: Textiles Area Show,” The Grunewald Gallery, Bloomington, IN
- A display of works from the Indiana University Textiles department
Art & Writing by J. Garst 