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 partner, Kirby, on Lenape land (Pennsylvania).
I enjoy designing jerseys, building brands, and working with my hands. I have an eye for colo theory, counterbalance, typography,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, artistic, and athletic 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 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 self-advocacy continues to evolve my creative expression. I've enjoyed the evolution of my abstract work most!
Dissonance becomes Amalgamation
Once quarantine was lifted, I began playing competitive rugby again. 2022 was a year of major shifts: I designed my first jersey, won a national championship with San Diego Surfers Rugby, moved out from living with family, and managed to balance three jobs. Yes – I was exhausted. Spring 2023, I retired from womxn's athletics and made the shift to exclusively playing in men's leagues (or the occasional Trans 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 2025, when I was asked to design the 3rd annual all-Trans match jerseys for NORAM Boston! Since NORAM, I have had the opportunity to design multiple jerseys and lead the brand campaign and UX design for Rucktacular at 2025's close, an annual Gay & Inclusive rugby tournament along the West Coast.
I didn't expect my athletic background to inform my creative voice so intimately. I definitely did not expect to unintentionally fulfill a secondary childhood dream designing dynamic athletic apparel.
My Dream
My other passions include Trans/Non-binary liberation, playing & coaching rugby, weightlifting, engaging in community with fellow , authentic self-expression, and dismantling cycles of oppression & trauma.
I am in pursuance of a childhood dream to share 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, 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'm Creating.
Below is my go-to playlist when I'm Creating.