Jenny is a senior graphic designer and illustrator based in the Pacific Northwest with 15+ years of experience in the creative field. Her artwork focuses on soothing color palettes, femininity, and wellness, among other themes. In addition to design and illustration, Jenny teaches and motivates other creative people through online tutorials and classes. Jenny has a passion for conservation and environmental activism through art. Jenny has been an INPRNT artist since 2020.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hello! I’m a designer and illustrator based in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve been drawing my whole life, and working in the creative field for 15+ years. I picked up my first iPad and Apple pencil two years ago during the pandemic and haven’t stopped drawing since.
What is the main medium, content, and/or themes that are frequently present in your work?
I love to create digital illustrations that focus on my favorite things—tea, yoga, wellness, feminine perspective, cosmos, spirituality, motherhood, soothing colors and nature. I work in both vector and raster-based programs such as Illustrator and Procreate.
What is something you want our audience to know about you or your work?
I am a collector of quotes and this one has always been one of my favorites: “The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang the best.” It helps me remember when I need motivation that there is a place and audience for all of us in the art world.
Keeping a balance with social media can be challenging for artists. What is your approach to social media, online community, and promoting your work?
I am still looking for that happy medium at the moment. I’m either consistently posting every two days or my Instagram page goes crickets for awhile.
However, I’ve found it does take a level of consistency to build up a following and improve your art. I’d recommend to anyone to plan for a good 1-2 years of consistently posting and commenting on others posts to see growth. You have to engage and be social with others. After you consistently post, you then need to decide if that level of intensity is going to be sustainable for you. If not, don’t beat yourself up. The most important thing is to draw every day, and you don’t necessarily have to share everything online.
I’ve found that if I want to get illustration work or sell my art then I’ve got to post. If I am overwhelmed and just need a break, then I stay offline for as long as I need. I try not to let the algorithm make me feel guilty. I always try to think back to why I’m creating, which is the joy of the creative process and connecting with other artists.
How do you find inspiration and what are those inspirations?
I’m inspired by poetry and the things I read. Since I was a child, I have kept journals of my favorite poems or sayings, whether it’s a famous writer or just a little saying on my tea bag. Words move me a lot and I am always in awe of people who can speak and write well. I’ve always found those forms of communication difficult, but art has always been the easiest way for me to express myself. I find inspiration in written ideas, song lyrics, and concepts and give them my visual twist.
“Words move me a lot and I am always in awe of people who can speak and write well. I’ve always found those forms of communication difficult, but art has always been the easiest way for me to express myself. I find inspiration in written ideas, song lyrics, and concepts and give them my visual twist.”
How do you get motivated or inspired to push past creative blocks?
When I hit a creative block, it’s a sign I need to shake things up! Physically, I get my body moving by going outside for a walk or doing yoga. Mentally, I step away from my work and try to take a class from another artist online or on Youtube. Sometimes creative blocks come from stagnancy. Analyzing the work of others helps me find new tools (like a Procreate brush I’ve never tried) or techniques that will spark creativity in my work.
Above all though, overcoming creative block is simply putting in the hours and LOTS of patience. Nothing great comes easy. You really do have to work for it. I recommend drawing as much as possible. No drawing (good or bad) is a wrong one, but just another step in the process.
“Above all though, overcoming creative block is simply putting in the hours and LOTS of patience. Nothing great comes easy. You really do have to work for it. I recommend drawing as much as possible. No drawing (good or bad) is a wrong one, but just another step in the process.”
Who are artists or people who have influenced you?
My middle school art mentor, Ginny Freitag, was a huge inspiration. She not only taught art professionally but is a successful mixed media ceramics and sculpture artist. After school I would get spend time in her art studio and we’d work on projects in all sorts of mediums. She had cabinets of different art materials, clay, beads, sculptures, wall hangings, and oddities. Her artwork showed me that you could create art based on a woman’s perspective in a deep, emotional and abstract way. She was an amazing advocate and supporter of my work. She will always be one of my biggest inspirations.
Do you have any advice for students or other artists who are looking to start sell their work?
I would definitely recommend selling your work on INPrnt! I’ve been so impressed with the paper and print quality. I was beyond giddy when I made my first art print sale! What’s holding you back?!
What’s next for you?
I love drawing art series. I have a few ideas I’d like to accomplish this year. First, I’d like to illustrate 26 images based on the ABC’s of Self Care. Each letter of the alphabet would get it’s own illustration showcasing alternative medicine modalities like acupuncture, color therapy or simple self-care practices. Second, I’d like to do a flower series for each astrological sign. And finally, I’d enjoy doing a color series that would convey the psychology and mood of each.
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