Jaida Garrison often sits cross-legged on the floor, paintbrush in hand, in the vine-covered, snake-patterned space grown from a bland Norfolk warehouse room into her studio. It's her secret garden, sheltered by mountains of antique furniture.
Here is where she paints teary-eyed devils and serpent-tongued dancers. Her latest collection of work, "Bloom," recently opened at Norfolk Botanical Garden and runs through Sept.29. The show is part of a much larger story she’s creating.
“I've always been into storytelling, which is why I'm writing a book and doing art. I think it's all part of the same world that I'm building,” she said.
Garrison was featured in NBG’s 2026 Diversity Gallery exhibition.
“We were thrilled by her initiative and talent, which made her a perfect fit for this display,” said Special Events Manager Ali Barnard.
"Bloom" explores many of the themes Harrison wrestles with: personal transformation, growth and struggle. She contrasts the beauty of her subjects and vibrant colors with surreal and disturbing elements.
Even as a kid, she liked drawing hyperrealistic portraits in a style that was “always kind of dark and weird and strange.”
“I think it's interesting when your artwork looks back at you,” she said. Her portraits at some point in their evolution come to life, as if they are looking for Garrison.
“It’s like a puzzle,” she said. “I found them.”
She also draws thematic inspiration from the idea of the hero’s journey, which will contain light moments along with the difficult and dark. The theme fits well at the Garden, where people and flowers are blooming.
A big part of her growth has taken place in the last few years. Her career started on Sept. 1, 2021, when, at 27, she decided to take her art seriously.
“One day I'm like, why don't I just do it? Why don't I just actually start?”
She assumed she would be only posting pieces online but discovered a local art community with a fascinating history. She wanted to not only be a part of shaping that history going forward, but also in preserving it.
Garrison started documenting vendor markets and shows with her partner, Tony Camarillo, on their YouTube channel, "The Doper Show."
“History can be fun,” she said, “We should remember the interesting things that happened and not just let it get brushed away.”
"The Doper Show" has become a monthly art show with visual artists, musicians and poets.
The pair creates immersive experiences by filling venues with installation pieces such as giant mushrooms, streamer-filled tunnels to crawl through, or a life-sized UFO; Garrison and Camarillo dressed as aliens and interviewed people about what it’s like to be human.
The next show will be at the ViBe’s Creative Well Arts Foundation, where Garrison teaches, on August 22.
“I meet so many talented people. I want to bring everybody up with me,” Garrison said. “I like having a community around me that moves with me.”
She said it keeps her focused on her art. She used to ask people about their weekend plans, and they'd respond that they'd lain in bed and watched Netflix.
“Now I'll ask someone, what'd you do this weekend? They're like, 'Oh, well, at 3 a.m. last night, I had an idea for a book, so I've been writing all night. Or like, I'm flying to New York for a photo shoot.' ”
It keeps her motivated and inspired to keep creating and saying yes to opportunities.
“I just want to be in art,” Garrison said, “I just want to do everything.”
"Bloom" is on display in the Education Hall at Norfolk Botanical Garden through September 29. A reception will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sat., Aug, 8 and includes free admission to the Garden.