Introducing Jacqueline Harvey, author and Founder Women in Art Fair
meet jacqueline harvey, author and founder of the women in art fair. Jacqueline has worked in the health and creative industry for several decades covering the areas of art, fashion, broadcasting, and journalism. She is an award-winning businesswoman and has a number of critically acclaimed books to her credit and is also a regular expert voice in the media. Her work is achieved through face-to-face interaction, online or alongside individuals, and has successfully helped clients from all walks of life. Jacqueline’s broad range of experience in a number of fields has enabled a holistic approach to all aspects of her work which has been recognised within the larger community as well as with corporate brands.
“Since 2017, I have been the founder and director of Women in Art Fair and Crystal Clear Health Limited, which has been providing holistic therapies and advice for over 20 years. I’m also the author of several books relating to health and well-being, the first being Your Health is Your Wealth and, most recently, Body Cycles.”
Join us as JACQUELINE SHARES her INSPIRATION AND EXPERIENCE WITHIN THE WORLD OF ART AND WELLNESS ALONG WITH HER DETERMINATION TO BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR FEMALE ARTISTS.
PERSONAL Website | WOMEN IN ART FAIR WEBSITE
What was the inspiration or experience for you to do what you do?
I suppose my main inspiration has always been to provide support and services for personal development, be it for health, or to boost creativity. I believe in self-empowerment and our ability to take care of ourselves, heal ourselves and creatively grow as humans to the benefit of all others on the planet. With health, mind, body, and spirituality, I’ve always felt prevention is better than cure and studied and provided expert commentary on what we can do to improve the quality of our lives. I suppose I’ve always come from a philosophical point of view – Aristotle, Plato, Jean-Paul Sartre. My start in life was very unbalanced, so I’m always seeking a form of harmony and peace. I came from an immigrant family and am a single parent.
What are some of the challenges that you are looking to overcome in the art industry?
With Women in Art Fair, the challenge is big because the history of art, until fairly recently, underrepresented and undervalued women artists’ work. Centuries of inequality both in art prices and in opportunities for representation within galleries have been a major issue, let alone knowing how to sustain and balance one’s life as a female artist. We are attempting to change that and we believe the time is right now, especially with the younger generation being more aware and attuned to such issues. The establishment and museums are now beginning to correct their collections and look at the opportunities for women within this field of work.
You have such a broad range of experience and expertise. From art to writing to wellness. Is there something that binds it all together?
Well, it depends on how you look at your skill sets. When you work for yourself, which I have done my whole life, you look at the skills that you have and try to apply yourself. Health and well-being have been my career my whole life, so I’ve written about it as a journalist as well as an author and built a company around it – all on the same topic. Art came into my life as a business over 15 years ago now. Initially, I was headhunted to start a gallery for a client who became a very dear friend. What binds them together is my commitment to providing a service that enables people to grow and develop holistically. I love tools such as art that help people to look inwardly at themselves and then creatively put something out, whilst impacting the lives of others in a positive way. The whole creative process of art is its beneficial exchange of energy and talent, between those who create it and those who receive it.
Is there a particular area of work or project you are especially proud of?
I am proud of all my work, because my companies exist in very competitive and difficult fields. I’ve created a position in both areas and remained motivated to make them work. I also feel grateful that I’m in a position to provide services that make a difference, whether it is on a micro level, helping individuals to heal and repair their bodies or improve their mental health and quality of life, or for wider social impact. I’m proud of helping female artists achieve a better deal within the art market for all aspects of their work, generating work for female art professionals and building awareness about this particular equality issue that has been swept under the carpet for so long.
What advice might you give to someone looking to enter the art world?
Speak with art professionals and other artists to build a strategy about how you want your career to go and where you sit within the art market. Having a realistic plan and getting the know-how on implementing this plan is very important and can save a lot of heartache, wasted funds, etc.
What have been some of the highs, and lows, throughout your career?
I think the only lows in my career have been when I’ve tried to get my voice heard and the messages in my books published and I have had to be patient and persevere until my work has broken through and been accepted. I wish I had more time to write and I’ve always had to work full-time to support myself.
Can you tell us about any interesting projects you've worked on lately?
I’m really excited about the opportunities we are creating for female artists over the next few years and the implementation of technology into the business, which will enable us to reach more artists from around the world who have very little or no visibility.
WEALTH
Describe your relationship with money and personal finance in three words?
Conservative, generous, flexible.
How do you define Wealth?
To me, health – mind, body, and spirit has always been wealth; I acknowledge that we need money in this world to survive and money gives one a great amount of freedom to help not only yourself but others. Ultimately, my first book was called your Health is Your Wealth and I truly believe that.
What money lessons did you learn when growing up? What would you have done differently?
My mother was an incredible money manager – she had eight children in the UK at one time and still managed to feed us all, pay her mortgage, and take care of the home until the time of her death, which was a couple of years ago. She taught me that if you look after your money, it will look after you and not to be reckless.
Going to university under the Local Authority Grant system, I had to work to put myself through university - I learnt to balance my books fairly quickly, and I had the great fortune of leaving university and working with Deloitte managing accounts for the General Rates and new business tax when it came in, which taught me a lot about money. I’ve always been given a lot of responsibility with funds and have felt confident in managing large amounts of money. My only regret is that I didn’t go to business school, where I would’ve studied finance and management and I think this slowed me down a bit. Since I am a very cautious person by nature, I would’ve taken more calculated risks with money if I had had professional training, which may have helped me with my businesses earlier on in my journey.
What has been the most helpful tool for you to learn about money?
I think accounting. It’s quarterly and yearly. Looking at expenditure regularly is very helpful and gives helpful insight into one’s habits – it always amazes me how much we spend on food per month! I’m not willing to compromise on the quality of food I eat because my body is a temple. Neither do I really consider the supplements and therapies that I buy to maintain my body at my age as an extravagance, as I see these as good investments for my future health.
How do you organise and manage your own finances?
I set mental budgets and keep a record in my head constantly of my expenditures so that I do not go beyond any particular point, especially when I have wages and other responsibilities. If I see something that I want for my partner, or if I need to help someone out financially, I tend to leave room in my budget to do that too.
What is the best money decision you have made?
Investing in my home, and business
What is your number one financial priority?
Creating enough wealth to enable my business to exist independently and making provision for retirement.
How often do you talk about money with your friends?
Not very much generally…
Which area of finance do you wish you knew more about, and why?
The Stock market – there were a few industries and companies I would like to invest in, but I don’t feel I know enough about the process and the fees to be able to do this either by myself or through a company.
WELLNESS
What do you do to relax?
Meditate, listen to music, laughter with friends and family, getting in touch with nature. I love the sea and rivers, so going on a cruise or going down a boat on the river – I love doing that. Reading is a big one for me and I try to do this everyday. I value being in the countryside or in nature to rest.
Do you have a mentor or inspirational figure that has guided or influenced you?
I have many! Mentors have come into my life at different times. They range from my mother, who was a great inspiration to me in many ways, and a very wise woman – she was a strong woman who had a very hard life. She still managed to laugh and enjoy life and fight for equality for others at work. I have my elder brother, Douglas, who has always been a friend and father-like figure to me. He was born in Jamaica and came here at the age of 17, and we became immediate friends and remained so all my life. And we work together as he is a therapist and advisor. He has a great sense of humour coupled with a beautiful, calm energy that makes you feel safe and heard. We’ve been on many journeys together emotionally within our family, and I’m very proud of the work he does in the community and within his own family.
For work, I’ve been fortunate to have my very dear mentor, Jonathan Blanchard Smith who has advised and guided me in business for many years – we were introduced by my dear friend, and again, he is a guiding strength for me and support in business. Generally, my teachers, whoever they are, are my mentors and inspiration.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
You never know what each day will bring in work, so it is very rewarding to solve problems, issues, and the engagement around all of that to make things better – creating order from chaos. Start-up’s are very invigorating and appeal to my sporting nature. When I write, it is a peacefulness and the deep connection of thought then clarity that I find very rewarding – before you know it, you have a book!
What is the most important life lesson you have learnt?
I suppose I have to say patience – because it has taken me a long time to truly manifest and achieve the level of stability, peace, and harmony that I now have in my life. I can only seek to continue in this way.
What is a quote that you live by?
You reap what you sow... because if you don't put in the work, you cannot expect a good result.
Where do you go to escape?
You will find me by the River Thames or in St James Park – meditating, thinking, and watching the boats go up and down.
What are you currently reading and listening to?
At the moment, I’m reading three books: the Adumat, a text about the ancient Egyptian relationship with the gods. Reading and writing Your Health is Your Wealth part two. Re-reading Katie Hessel’s The History of Art Without Men.
Music is very important to my mental health and whole sense of balance. I listen to relaxing classical music all day long then mixture of jazz, soul and house music in the evenings.
