SULLEN ANGEL MODELING CONTEST

Hey there, it's Jaymie here. If you clicked on this link and are currently reading this, you probably have known me for a while and know what I am trying to fundraise for.

My pursuit of modeling started when I was 17. I always found it to be a creative outlet and a great way to show different sides of myself. I decided to pause pursuing it as a professional route for a while because I found that traditional modeling didn't seem to align with my identity. Long story short, I felt as if I was being pressured to be someone who I was not to fit into traditional expectations—my alternative style didn't fit into industry standards.

I continued my modeling journey as a hobby. I have a passion for collaborating and creating art with photographers and am a photographer myself. As a creator and collector of art, I was always fascinated by tattoos. The idea of collaborating with artists and collecting their work on my skin was neat to me and I wanted every part of it. Because of this, I have tattoo pieces that I've accumulated over the years and have plenty more ideas to come that I plan on adding to my skin.

I have been turned down by agencies since, being told that the art on my skin essentially annihilated any possibility of me making it into the modeling industry. Yet I was determined to find opportunities, because if I could see others with tattoos in the modeling industry be successful, then why couldn't I be?

That is why when I saw that Sullen Art, Co. was hosting a competition to find a new face for their brand, I knew that I would be making a mistake if I didn't put my heart out on the line to see if I could at least be selected to compete. A company rooted in love for tattoo artistry, connection, and art in their work provides an amazing window of opportunities for what I am working towards and am passionate about. When I received word back from one of Sullen's angels that I was selected to compete, I was both absolutely elated and somewhat in shock. Finally, after all of these years, I felt like I was being given a chance to follow my dream again. And so I will be traveling to the opposite side of the country to pursue an opportunity I have been working for.

This fundraiser is intended to help cover all my travel expenses: flights, hotels, food, and any potential emergency funds that could come up. I will not be traveling alone as I do not feel entirely safe doing so during these times, so I will be covering the costs for the person who is accompanying me as I know they will also need to break away from their responsibilities to be able to join me.

I will have immense gratitude for any contribution you make so that I can pursue my dream. And if you decide to donate anything at all, it will not go unnoticed.

As ever with love, thank you from the bottom of my heart.