Hi, I'm Jaxx! He/Him
I am a Fine Artist & Graphic Designer, born and raised on Kumeyaay land (San Diego, CA). In November 2024, I drove cross-country with my pit bull/staffie Precious and ball python Oscar and settled on Lenape land (Reading, PA).
I have an eye for color theory, counterbalance, and typography, though I enjoy Branding and working with my hands most! I pride myself on my written, visual, and verbal communication skills. I value – and seek – vibrance and authenticity in all aspects of my life; my favorite color is 'sunset orange' and my favorite book of all time is Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Marquez.
Where I Started + Finding My Path
I'm often asked how long I've been an Artist or when I knew I wanted to be one. The short answer? I had just had my sixth birthday and saw The Princess Diaries in the theater. Helen Thermopolis – the mom – was a successful full-time artist, a rock climber, and involved parent who lived in a converted firehouse! It was my first time encountering an example of a life I wanted – a life unencumbered by cubicles, centered around self-expression, full of variety, and rich with community.
Time for the long answer!
After graduating from Francis Parker HS in '13 with academic, athletic, and artistic accolades, I continued my education and Track & Field career at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. Two years later, when time came to declare a major, I accepted the terrifying realization I had chosen an institution that didn't have any majors I wanted. Soon thereafter, I chose to take a self-care gap year and prepared to transfer to an institution with a 4-year Graphic Design program. Following a mind-blowing summer internship at Herman Miller Inc. in '15 and a year of classes at San Diego CCs, I transferred to PLNU in Fall '17, where I finished my collegiate Track & Field career and (finally) earned my B.A. in Graphic Design in 2020, during the height of the Covid Pandemic.
Admittedly, I needed that time with myself. The solitude, combined with experiencing less daily scrutiny and prejudice, helped me reconnect with my Inner Child. Meeting Him in August 2020 changed everything for me – I decided I wanted to start transitioning...my egg had cracked.
Finally free from the bone-crushing fear of being known and becoming more embodied each day, I am more unapologetically myself than I ever have been and love myself more than I knew to be possible. Reconnecting with my voice and being more daring in my self-advocacy continues to change my creative process and expression for the better.
Dissonance becomes Amalgamation
Once quarantine was lifted, I began playing rugby again with my first competitive team, the San Diego Surfers. I earned 'Most Improved' and a starting lock position during my rookie WPL season, while working three jobs and selling my blood to pay dues. Yes – I was exhausted. Spring of '23, we snagged the Div. 1 club 15s national championship and I retired from womxn's rugby to begin HRT and pursue my rugby dreams as my full self.
Making the tough decision to exclusively play for men's and inclusive teams led to unexpectedly falling in love with the sport all over again! In 2024, I returned to San Diego Armada, the first group of ruggers I met! If not for that group of kind hooligans, I'm not sure how long I would have taken to accept myself as a Man or dare to carve space for myself in athletics.
Following seven years of freelancing, in '23, I landed a season-long contract as Graphic Designer for San Diego Legion Rugby, San Diego's first – and only – MLR team. Sharing a sandwich with Ma'a Nonu and being too starstruck for words within 3 feet of Ilona Maher were merely a couple of many highlights from my rare opportunity to marry two passions – rugby and design. I had another opportunity this year, at NORAM Boston, when I was commissioned to design the 3rd annual all-Trans match jerseys!
I didn't expect my athletic career to help my artistic career or to have so many opportunities to join Art with the sport to which I owe my life.
My Dream
My other passions include Trans* liberation, playing & coaching rugby, weightlifting, engaging in community with fellow QTBIPOC, authentic self-expression, and dismantling cycles of oppression & trauma.
I am in pursuance of a childhood dream to achieve financial security through my creative endeavors, traveling the world, advocating for Queer inclusion in athletics, and connecting with fellow Artists. I hope my gifts will bring healing, understanding, and inspire lasting, inclusive change.You can tell a lot about a person by their musical taste. Below is my go-to playlist when I need to get the creative juices flowing.
Give it a listen!
Looking to Collaborate?
I look forward to creating together!