We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jonathan Morris. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Jonathan , we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
With the birth of our first child a couple weeks ago, I’ve had a lot to be happy and proud of. It’s been a journey, and I love seeing how quickly he grows and develops. He gives me a new reason to be proud, and several reasons to laugh, everyday.
I’m proud of his mother and how well she’s adapting to her new role. She’s doing an amazing job with him and making sure he’s happy, healthy, and on track with his development, and so I’m immensely grateful for her sacrifices and for her help.
In my career, I recently had some of my photographs selected for an exhibition In Tokyo, thanks to The Holy Art Gallery, that took place Sept. 12-16th. This is the first time my work has been in a gallery space, so I’m proud and excited for a possible future in that, and I’m looking forward to seeing where art takes me next.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jonathan Morris, and I am the owner of A Sweet Tooth Clothing Company. I am a multidisciplinary artist, designer, photographer, and lifetime learner. My brand is based around remembering the small moments that make up the bigger picture. It’s important to remember that the person you are today informs and decides who you will be tomorrow, so the small moments are where the growth is shown. The small interactions you have with the people in your life, even though they may not all see the same side of you, comes together to show the full scope of who you are as a person. I’m working on making sure the brand continues to grow and better represent that message, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to do so in front of a broader audience.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
I think the relationship that most shaped how I see myself would be my relationship with home. I grew up in a home where my mother, sister, and grandmother never really judged me, so I was able to try a lot of new things without necessarily fearing the outcome, was able to have my alone time and enjoy long periods of silence, but was able to enjoy long periods of loud music as well, was able to play and laugh and sing if I pleased, and it wasn’t met with negativity or backlash. I could exist at home in whatever room I pleased, and even when they were enforcing the rules I was mostly undisturbed unless by laughter or singing or dancing through the house like they tend to do to this day. I feel like remembering that that’s the environment I came from keeps me positive and reminds me that small moments like that really matter. Those are the most prominent things I remember, and that kind of space is what I want to be for other people. I feel like the world needs that.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think that for a while I had a weird problem with not wanting to be seen practicing. Everything had to be to my highest standard before anyone else could see it, but that really isn’t sustainable and it isn’t much of a life. The part that takes most of your life is getting good, getting it right. That’s where the story is, so that’s what they have to see. Now I try to be the whole show instead of just the climax.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to believe that I had to reach certain accomplishments before I deserved to have fun like a normal person. I’ve always thought things like, “I’ll start to dance more one day; when I have my own art studio or can get my first big apartment or something, but until then, I don’t dance. That’s not how I act right now,” or, “I won’t sing anymore. One day I’ll start to again, or maybe not. I’ll start to sing when I feel like I have less work to finish in life.”
I now think those thoughts are foolish, so mush so that it’s hard to even think of examples for a lot of them because they literally have no legitimacy. Wait why? Why would waiting change anything? What would I legitimately lose or gain by doing it or not doing it? I realize the answer is nothing; I would lose nothing. At all. But I would feel real. The restrictions I’m putting on myself serve no other purpose than hiding enjoyment from myself and me from enjoying something. I know now just how wrong that really is.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
Art and a kind spirit. Curiosity and love. Growth and the commitment to becoming the best me I can be. If I had nothing at all in this world from this day forth, my eyes couldn’t stop seeing the world this way if I tried. I could stop seeing the framing around the flowers, I wouldn’t stop watching the birds drift overhead. The water would still crash loud and fold over and over, and I would remain their audience, satisfied and awestruck. I would still see things in the world and think about how they work or how they’re made, so I would still be learning about the world and my place in it. I would search for every way I could improve, and I would still want to be the best I can for my family and friends to help them do the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.asweettoothclothingcompany.com
- Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/_suav.e
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@suav.e
- Other: https://Www.Instagram.com/asweettoothclothingcompany
