MEET JASMIN
All the emotions in my palette
Home page and this page images by VIVEK WU PHOTOGRAPHY
Name: Jasmin Pannu. My massi chose my name and I absolutely love it. My nani also likes to mention that back in India she had lots of jasmine flowers in her garden, so that makes my name feel extra special.
Currently: I’m working on two commissions for the city, which is so exciting because I’ll have officially entered the world of public art! Also, after working as a professional, full-time artist for one-and-a-half years, I’m due to complete my first-ever formal arts training in just a few weeks. It’s funny because I feel like my career is backwards – I’ll be receiving the certificate after having already painted 70-plus murals. Nonetheless, I know having certification can propel a career forward, so I look forward to the new opportunities that await. Until then, I’ll be exhibiting at two galleries and a TEDx event, I have an artist talk, three murals and several private commissions in the works. Somewhere in there, I’ll also be making time to work on my Artist Show Podcast, where I help emerging artists make it in the industry. It’s definitely looking like it’s going to be a busy summer, but I’m grateful and excited for it!
Favourite colour: Yellow, because it feels like sunshine.
Favourite designer: I love Mani Jassal, not only because she’s nailed the Indo-Canadian fusion, but also because she’s a young, South-Asian woman who’s unapologetically making waves in her industry.
Favourite Bollywood star: It’s a toss up between Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar. They both built incredible careers and continue to use their influence and platforms for social change. I’m here for it.
Favourite Hollywood star: Keanu Reeves! What a wholesome, persistent and hard-working guy.
Favourite movie: I don’t know if I have a favourite movie per se, but if you put on any animated movie, I will be more than happy.
Favourite singer: Right now, I’m a big fan of Jessie Reyez. favourite song: Stand by Me by Otis Redding. Anything that touches the soul.
Favourite TV show: Not big on TV shows, but while I paint I like to throw on some comedies in the background. Any comedy will do.
Favourite ice cream flavour: Cookies and Cream. Mmm.
Favourite food: Nachos! But I’m transitioning to vegan (from vegetarian) so I might need to come up with another.
Favourite restaurant: Hmm, I don’t have a favourite restaurant, but I do have a favourite place to eat: My grandparents’! Their maki di roti is the best.
Favourite sport: Football! I played in high school and it’s still one of my favourites.
Favourite sportsperson: With the finals on right now, you know I have to choose from our team. I would say Danny Green. favourite book: So many! Here are a few: Sapiens, The Personal MBA, 12 Rules for Life, Getting the Love You Want, The World Peace Diet, Masterpieces of World Philosophy. I do prefer nonfiction, but I’m always open to a good book recommendation.
Favourite activity: Making art, of course! The feeling of creating something and to have a tangible work of art to show for your time, talent and passion is second to none.
I hang out: Nestled in my living room, hanging out with my plants, playing soul music and painting.
I’m freaked out by: Spiders.
I need: To be more consistent in my daily routine. Journaling, meditation, exercising. I’m great at working, but I know that these habits are going to take my career and art to the next level.
I want to be: Deliberate in every action taken, word spoken and decision made. I want to be present far more than I am on autopilot, because I believe that’s the path to living a passionate, exciting and miracle-filled life.
My role models: I’m a big believer in having “strong views, loosely held,” so I try to take just traits/ thoughts of the people that I look up to the most, that helps me stay flexible and evolving. My favourite way to do that is to read books by them/on them. I’m currently reading Michelle Obama, Bill Bryson and Joanna Garzilli (I like to juggle books to keep the excitement of reading going.)
Tips to save the planet: One person can change everything. Start with yourself, make small changes. Every item recycled, vegan meal chosen, light turned off, garbage picked up, and vote cast to support climate change initiatives makes all the difference in the world.
In a perfect world: No one would be bogged down by the trivialities of social constructs. Everyone would live a life aligned with their soul’s purpose.
For more on Jasmin Pannu, visit JasminPannu.com, @JasminPannu on Instagram and ArtistShowPodcast.com.
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