Meet Jeffery Schuster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeffery Schuster and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeffery, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I don’t think I chose to be an artist, I think it chose me. It’s just a part of who I am. I come from a family filled with creativity—my parents and several relatives are not only artistic but incredibly talented. Even so, it took me some time to recognize that same spark in myself. It wasn’t until the woman who would later become my wife asked me a simple but profound question—“Have you ever thought about selling your art?”—that I truly began to consider a creative career.

After feeling a little lost in the early years of high school, It wasn’t until later that I felt a draw to art. I started college with the intention of becoming an art teacher. But like many young people, I made some mistakes and got caught up in a legal system I had long believed to be broken. That experience shifted my focus. I changed my major to Sociology and Criminal Justice, driven by a desire to fight for justice and prevent other young people from facing the same challenges I had. I was determined to build a stable, financially secure career—and to make a difference.

Still, art never left me. I continued to paint and create, more as a form of therapy than anything else. During my senior year, I painted a piece inspired by Ouray, Colorado—the town where my wife and I would eventually marry. When she moved in with me and one of my best friends, our small apartment quickly filled with my artwork. I hadn’t planned on selling anything—I created purely for the joy and emotional release it brought me. But when she asked again about sharing my art with others, I paused. It was hard to imagine parting with something so personal, something I had poured my soul into.

After some reflection, I realized that creating art wasn’t just a hobby—it was a calling. So I took a leap of faith. That decision opened doors I never expected and allowed me to connect with others through something I love. Pursuing a creative path has been one of the most rewarding choices I’ve made. At that time my primary mediums of art were charcoal, pencil, tempera and acrylic painting. That would soon change though as I expanded my working space.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is deeply personal, rooted in raw emotion, life experience, and a desire to connect with others on a soul level. Under the name Art Esoteric Studio (ArtEsotericStudio.com), I create pieces that explore the intersection of beauty and chaos, healing, love, and time. What sets my work apart is its honest, sometimes raw vulnerability—there’s always a story behind each piece, even if it isn’t immediately obvious. I want people to feel something when they engage with my art, even if they can’t quite explain why.

My art is an exploration of texture, depth, and storytelling, often created from materials that carry a history of their own. I work across multiple mediums, blending traditional fine art techniques with reclaimed and unconventional materials. Acrylics, oils, and mixed media form the backbone of my painted works, while found objects—such as pallet wood, salvaged metal, secondhand canvases, repurposed furniture, and architectural remnants—bring an element of authenticity and raw character.

Each piece often begins with a spark of inspiration from the environment or a fragment of history I’ve stumbled upon—a weathered piece of wood, a section of scrap metal, or a timeworn frame discovered at a garage or estate sale. These materials not only add visual texture but also infuse the work with a sense of place, memory, and transformation.

The result is art that invites viewers to look deeper, to see beauty in imperfection, and to feel a connection between the past and the present. Whether it’s a vibrant abstract on a repurposed canvas, a landscape layered over reclaimed wood, or a sculptural assemblage built from industrial scraps, every piece is a conversation between material, story, and emotion.

As for how I got here—it wasn’t easy. I’m a first-generation college graduate from Colorado Mesa University who was raised by a single mother and worked my way through school. Although I didn’t graduate with honors and my path was anything but linear, I never stopped pushing forward. For many years I worked in nonprofit leadership and public service roles—from forensic interviewer, victim advocate, and funeral director to youth services coordinator and program manager.

Through it all, art has remained my therapy, my passion, and my way of making sense of the world. There were times I doubted myself—wondering if anyone would care about what I was creating or if it was “good enough” to share. With the encouragement of my wife, my family, and friends, I took a leap and began sharing my work more openly.

2019 was a turning point—it was the year I officially established my LLC and truly felt like things were beginning to take off. Then the pandemic hit, bringing challenges I couldn’t have predicted. Even so, I stayed committed, and despite the obstacles, the journey continued to move in a positive direction. The response from others was overwhelming, and that support gave me the confidence to grow Art Esoteric Studio into what it is today.

I’ve learned that success doesn’t always come quickly or look like you expect it to. It takes grit, vulnerability, and the willingness to keep going even when no one’s watching. I want the world to know that Art Esoteric Studio is more than just a brand—it’s a reflection of a journey. My journey. And if my work speaks to even one person, then I consider that a success.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
With a diverse group of friends, each with their own unique interests and personalities, the itinerary would definitely vary depending on who was visiting—but a few staples would absolutely make the list. None the less, all my friends know that creativity and art are at the core of almost everything I do.

First, I’d make sure they experienced the undeniable beauty of the Colorado mountains. There’s something grounding and awe-inspiring about being surrounded by that kind of natural majesty. Whether it’s a summer hike followed by a dip in a glacial lake, or a winter snowshoe trek capped off with ice fishing or a soak in a natural hot spring, that physical connection to the landscape is essential. I believe it all ties back to art in some way—it’s a reflection of who I am as an artist, and I feel those experiences shine through in my pieces.

The mountains have always been healing for me, and as both an artist and someone who values inner reflection, I try to weave nature into almost everything I create, including my work at ArtEsotericStudio.com.

We’d also carve out time for gallery hopping and art walks—there’s endless inspiration to be found in the work of other creatives, especially in Colorado’s vibrant art communities. I’d take them to a few favorite spots in Grand Junction, Paonia, or Salida, depending on where we roam.

For food and drinks, I’d go with something indulgent but laid-back. A rich meat and cheese board paired with a good whiskey flight sounds just about perfect to me—preferably somewhere with mountain views or tucked into a cozy, locally owned spot with character. I think that kind of slow, intentional experience—good food, good drink, good conversation—is what memories are made of.

And if I had to choose one destination that never fails to deliver, it would be Ouray, Colorado. It’s one of my absolute favorite places, full of charm and tucked deep in the San Juans. It’s also where my wife and I got married, and the town continues to inspire my artwork today. Just not during peak tourist season—I prefer it when it’s quiet, a little wild, and fully itself.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This is a tough one—not because there’s no one to thank, but because so many people have supported me along the way. While I’m primarily a self-taught artist in several different mediums and didn’t have formal mentors in the traditional sense, I’ve been surrounded by people who believed in me, encouraged me, and even supported me financially by purchasing my work or helping fund a piece.

First and foremost, my wife, Danielle Bridges Schuster, has been my biggest champion. Her belief in me, even in the earliest stages, gave me the confidence to pursue my art more seriously. My mom, Linda Schuster, has been by my side every step of the way as well—always cheering me on with unwavering support. I’ve also been lucky to have a core group of family and best friends who have stood behind me, offering encouragement and showing up for me in so many ways.

It might sound unconventional, but I also have to thank history and the environment for inspiring my work. A large portion of my art is created from found objects—materials with their own past lives and stories. I work with pallet wood salvaged from alleys, treasures uncovered at garage and estate sales, and other reclaimed or discovered items. The photos I provided are perfect examples: they include pieces made from a tabletop, a secondhand canvas, pallet wood, a section of redwood decking, and much more. I love the idea of giving new life to something that’s been discarded, allowing its history to become part of the art.

Lastly, I wouldn’t even be part of this Shoutout Colorado feature if it weren’t for Kristin Stockham, who made the connection and believed my story was worth sharing.

To all of you—thank you. Your support means more than words can express.

Website: https://Artesotericstudio.com

Instagram: art_esoteric

Facebook: Art Esoteric

Youtube: @artesoteric21

Image Credits
All images are of me and my work and taken by me.