Entry 009

Entry 009

I’ll start by being real with y’all.

I haven’t written a Monolawgue in over a year.

But I wasn’t about to let this turn into 2026 without checking in and reconnecting with the people who’ve been rocking with me since the beginning.

A lot of us first connected through my personal art drops and the JLaw Experiences. Over the last two years though, my energy has shifted heavily toward community art; specifically public art. And that work has taken a lot of my time, focus, and heart.

Not in a bad way. In a very intentional way.

Why Murals Have me in a Headlock

Murals aren’t just paint on walls.

They’re storytelling without explanation.

They’re representation without context.

They’re an invitation into a community’s identity, without saying a word.

When someone walks into a neighborhood and sees a mural, they immediately feel something. That feeling tells them what the community stands for, what it values, and who it’s for. Murals bring people together. They connect people inside the neighborhood and people passing through it. They spark conversation. They hold memory.

I know this, because I’ve experienced it firsthand.

That’s always been the core of my artwork—telling stories and creating connection. It’s the same thing I did with my personal drops and Experiences, just on a much larger scale that will live through the test of time.

And in 2025, that mission showed up in a major way.

2025 Was an Impact Year

From a business standpoint, ArtByJLaw / Ground Zero Studio grew a lot this year, but more importantly, the impact grew.

Early in the year, I kicked things off in West Baltimore with the Stockton Street project for Parks & People, right behind Pennsylvania & North Avenue. That project was special. Not just because of the mural itself, but because of the time spent with the community.

We held workshops. We listened. We learned from people who live in that neighborhood every single day. And then we painted outside, for 18 days straight (shouts to RodSzn).

When you’re outside for 12 hours a day, in someone’s neighborhood, for almost three weeks, something different happens. You see the same faces. You talk to the same people. Folks walking by become familiar. Drivers honk. Kids stop and ask questions. Elders tell stories.

There’s no other setting where that kind of connection happens naturally. That project will always stay with me.

Building With People, Not Just Projects

Another major highlight was connecting with the Harp Vision family and creating a mural for their new brick-and-mortar space in Highlandtown on Conkling Street. Watching them grow from a small business into opening their second location was powerful—and being able to contribute to that moment visually was an honor.

From there, the year just kept moving.

I worked on school murals, including my largest project to date at Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women—a two-month project that pushed me creatively and physically. I was also able to be part of Artscape, painting pillars under the I-83 bridge with other Baltimore artists, where hundreds of thousands of people passed through that space and experienced our work.

Those moments don’t happen in isolation. They happen through trust, collaboration, and showing up consistently.

Wearing Many Creative Hats

Beyond murals, 2025 had me using my creative gifts in a lot of different ways.

I’ve been building with CTLN Network as Creative Director, helping shape something meaningful behind the scenes. I’ve worked on graphics and visual storytelling for the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. I joined conversations through podcasts like The Creatively Speak'n Podcast. Some projects you’ve seen. Some you probably didn’t even know my name was attached to.

And that’s okay.

A lot of this year and generally the mantra is always about contribution, not visibility.

That same trust and consistency also opened the door to something completely new for me this year; landing my first paid brand partnership with Wonder. That experience was huge for my growth—not just as an artist, but as a creative entrepreneur. Being trusted to create artwork for their bags and for the openings of their Maryland restaurant locations meant a lot to me. For a brand to see what I stand behind, trust my vision, and allow my artwork to help introduce and launch multiple brick-and-mortar spaces is something I don’t take lightly. It showed me what’s possible when you stay consistent, move with integrity, and let your work speak for itself. That partnership opened my eyes to a whole new lane, and it’s something I’m excited to continue building on in 2026: Creating meaningful, localized art experiences with brands that genuinely value culture, community, and storytelling.

Why You Haven’t Heard From Me Like That

You might’ve thought my number changed this year, you didn’t get not one text from me lol.

Truth is, I’ve been locked into a different mission for the past 24 months. But lately, I’ve been feeling that itch again. That pull back into the studio. That desire to create work that comes straight from my vision—personal, raw, and intentional.

That’s where y’all come in.

I call you my homies because you’ve always gotten the first look. You’ve always been tapped in before the rest of the world. And this monolawgue is really a reintroduction. Not because I forgot about you, but because I was building something that required a different kind of focus.

Gratitude & Looking Ahead to 2026

Even if you never bought a print.

Even if you never grabbed a shirt.

I see the comments. I see the shares. I feel the encouragement. That support, whether loud or quiet, keeps me going more than you realize.

This journey isn’t just about art. It’s about health, growth, balance, and learning how mental and physical wellness intersect. 2025 taught me a lot in that area. I feel better, clearer, and more grounded than I have in a long time.

And that matters.

If you made it this far, thank you.

2026 is about to be special (as I think every upcoming year will be, because why not). I’ve learned lessons this year that I’m carrying forward. I’ve got plans. I’ve got ideas. And I’m ready to execute with intention.

This monolawgue isn’t just a recap, it’s a thank you. And it’s a promise to keep showing up, share more, and bring y’all along the journey like always.

To 2026, here we come.

Winning team only.

Much love,

JLaw