Hi, I'm Jaxx! He/Him
I am a Fine Artist & Graphic Designer, born and raised on Kumeyaay land (San Diego, CA). November of 2024, I drove cross-country with my dog and ball python to build a life with my wonderful wife, Kirby, on Lenape land (Pennsylvania).
I enjoy designing jerseys, building brands, and working with my hands. 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 watched The Princess Diaries in the theater, on my sixth birthday. Helen Thermopolis – the mom – was a successful full-time Artist, a rock climbing enthusiast, 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, artistic, and athletic accolades, I continued my education and Track & Field career at Franklin and Marshall College. 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 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 G.E. classes at San Diego CCs, I transferred to Point Loma Nazarene University 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 myself.
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 creative voice and be(com)ing more daring in my authenticity continues to evolve my creative expression and inform my direction.
Dissonance becomes Amalgamation
Once quarantine lifted, I began playing competitive rugby again. 2022 was a year of major shifts: I designed my first jersey, began tabling my work at various community events, won a 15s National Championship with San Diego Surfers Rugby, moved out from living with family, all while balancing three jobs. Yes – I was exhausted. Spring '23, I retired from womxn's athletics and made the shift to exclusively play in men's leagues (and the occasional Trans or Inclusive match). In 2024, I returned to my home team, San Diego Armada, the first ruggers I met and my first jersey clients!
Following seven years of freelancing, in '23, I landed a season contract as Graphic Designer for San Diego Legion Rugby (now California Legion), San Diego's first MLR team. My time at Legion awarded me a rare opportunity to marry two passions – rugby and design. Another opportunity presented itself June '25, when I was asked to design the 3rd annual all-Trans match jerseys for NORAM Boston! Since NORAM, I have had the opportunity to continue designing jerseys for Queer teams and lead the branding initiative & UX web design for Rucktacular, an annual multi-national Gay & Inclusive rugby tournament hosting along the West Coast.
I did not expect my athletic background to inform my creative voice so intimately. I also did not expect to unintentionally fulfill a quiet childhood dream of designing dynamic athletic apparel and seeing friends proudly dawn my designs.
My Dream
Revolutionizing what it means to be an Athlete. No more "shut up and dribble." Today's athletes want their athletic organizations to reflect them and their team's culture, not the bottom line. We, athletes, do not need corporate sponsors or a "platform" to inspire change. Athletics have always been political because they are the Great Equalizer.
My other passions include supporting girls' and women's athletics, spending time with my wife, winning staring contests with babies and dogs, weightlifting, gardening, and dismantling oppressive cycles.
I am in pursuance of a childhood dream to sell my Art in galleries and make a living through my creative endeavors, while traveling the world and continuing my advocacy for Queer & Trans inclusion in athletics. I hope my gifts bring healing, understanding, and inspire lasting, inclusive change. You can tell a lot about a person by their musical taste.
Here is my go-to playlist for when I'm Creating!
Here is my go-to playlist for when I'm Creating!
Disclaimer: I (Jaxx) DO NOT consent to my creations, words, or likeness being fed to Generative AI applications. I reserve the right to refuse or terminate service(s), at my discretion. Circumstances that may lead to termination of services include (but are not limited to) threats, verbal or physical abuse/harassment (including repeated misgendering), feeding my work to AI and failure to pay. Services are non-refundable.