Shifting perspective: Jordan Toombs creates beauty from adversity 

By Simone Denard

October 17, 2025

Art has often been said to imitate life, and the art that Jordan Toombs (’22, BFA) creates reflects the beauty and perils that coexist in his life and those close to him. Through authenticity, courage and an unwavering diligence, Toombs has begun a career that speaks to both his brilliance as an artist and his resilience as a person. 

“I knew before Howard that I planned to achieve a career in the arts, but Howard prepared me for all of the possibilities that I could walk into. Before Howard, I didn’t fully understand how to become an artist. Many people discourage painters, claiming that they are not successful until after they pass away. After I graduated, I left with a spark inside me to pursue this career full-time,” said Toombs. 

He credits his professors at the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts for giving him a solid foundation in Black art. By studying the work of legendary artists like Aaron Douglas and Alma Thomas and staying engaged with his peers, Toombs harbors the creativity needed to produce his art.  

“Now, instead of running or shying away from my emotions, I cater to and embrace them. I create from them. When I’m sad, I draw inspiration from that emotion to create something from the heart. I have been in a season of getting inspiration from feelings, friends and family, and overall culture,” said Toombs. 

During his time at Howard, professors advised Toombs to choose a specific subject to paint that would set his art apart from others. Initially, he struggled with deciding what to focus on, as he overthought what would make his work stand out. After deciding to paint from the heart, the idea of portraying his younger cousin came to him. With this initial piece, Toombs aimed to capture the concept of infinite representation from the perspective of a young girl. 

“I wanted to talk about what it is like being in a position where you have so much representation of who you are in a world where you can begin to flourish and feel royal in spaces that don’t typically shine a light on you,” said Toombs.

His epiphany prompted deeper reflections on representation in his own life. Evan, Toombs’ younger brother, has a chromosome 1 deletion disorder that affects his neurological function, as well as his ability to walk and speak. When talking to others, Toombs often shared what his brother could not do rather than what he could do, until Toombs shifted his perspective. 

“My family uses this mantra: ’Beauty amongst the thorns, which is about changing your focus from your insecurities or thorns and turning them into something beautiful. That has been the mantra for all my work and why I have centered it around children. We can all recall insecurities developing at a young age, and it is important for children to recognize the beauty in themselves and within each other,” said Toombs. 

Through his work, Toombs expresses the delicate power of childhood innocence and the beauty of perspective. Although still early in his career, Toombs has faced his share of adversity. After securing an unprecedented solo art show in 2023, he received a call informing him that the show would be canceled two weeks before its debut. Toombs was devastated, internalizing his disappointment as he began to question whether he was at fault. 

“You often look at yourself like you are the one who did something wrong. Howard taught me that I cannot sit on my behind and let others write my purpose, my plan and my destiny. I have to take control, be adaptable and pivot,” said Toombs.

Toombs took immediate action and started making calls within his network. He reached out to his mentors, Sol Aponte, Melba Farquhar, Tina Knowles and Harmonia Rosales, for assistance. With their help, Toombs rented a small gallery and organized a pop-up exhibition. 

“The show was a success. We had Angela Bassett, Kelly Rowland, Victoria Monét and Fran Drescher stop by. People were coming in from the street to learn about what was going on. It was packed. It was something out of a dream, but it taught me about the ability to pivot and readjust, rather than being overly focused on failures,” said Toombs.

Toombs prioritizes his integrity and the importance of walking in faith as he navigates his career. With achievements including commissioning pieces for Beyoncé and Victoria Monét, Toombs is a testament to remaining tenacious and diligent in the face of disappointment. He cherishes the support of friends, family and faculty at Howard, including professors Alexander McSwain (’10, BFA, magna cum laude; ’12 MFA) and Akili Ron Anderson (’08, BFA, cum laude; ’08, MFA), who impart valuable words that keep him grounded and motivated. 

Toombs has not forgotten where he came from, and Howard played a significant role in his story. He prioritizes giving back to the institution and the organizations he was part of as a student. Recently, Toombs started Alpha Theta Sigma Fine Arts Fraternity Inc. at Howard. The organization focuses on creating opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in the fine arts or creative industries. The organization assists students with resume building, interview preparation and collaborates with companies to prepare for life after graduation. 

Toombs believes in reaching out with a helping hand to uplift those following in his footsteps, ensuring that there is room for everyone to pursue their dreams if they are willing to shift their perspective and find beauty among the thorns. 

A gift to the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts can launch the careers of talented and creative artists. Please donate here: Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.