A deep love of color, pattern, and nature is the foundation of Jennifer's work as an artist, illustrator, author, and teacher. Her joyful gouache paintings of flowers, random objects, people, and occasional meditative abstract musings open a colorful and enticing window onto a detail of the day one might ordinarily overlook.
1. Tell us more about your background and journey.
I've been an artist my whole life, As a kid drawing and painting was my passion, and I spent my free time making art. I took lots of classes. But it never even occurred to me that I could go to college and make art my career.
After an art teacher suggested I go to RISD, it set my path. After art school I spent many years in the textile industry, designing and styling patterns for fabric.
2. When did you decide you wanted to be a painter/illustrator?
While I was in the textile industry, I was more of a director, when I left to go on my own I decided to become an illustrator. I had extensive experience painting in gouache so that's the medium I chose to primarily use in my art.
I started a daily sketchbook painting in 2014 and began posting them on Instagram and my career unfolded from there.
3. Is it a financially stable career?
It definitely can be, as a freelancer there are dry and busy spells. In quiet times, it’s a good idea to make a lot of personal work to build on your portfolio.
4. Who is your favorite illustrator and why?
Maira Kalman. I am inspired by her endless creativity, storytelling, quirky thinking, colors, and style.
5. Where do you get inspired to create art?
Inspiration is all around, It might be the shape of a teapot, a color combination, fresh flowers, a person I pass on the street, the farmers market, or the weather. I try to be mindful of what is around me so I don’t let the little daily happenings pass me by.
6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring illustrators?
Don’t be precious about your work as you are exploring who you are as an illustrator, You can learn so much from making mistakes, playing, and trying out new things. It will eventually help you to find your style,
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
I read a lot of novels but the ones I go back to most are art books. I love to be inspired by how artists through history approached different subjects and styles.
A deep love of color, pattern, and nature is the foundation of Jennifer's work as an artist, illustrator, author, and teacher. Her joyful gouache paintings of flowers, random objects, people, and occasional meditative abstract musings open a colorful and enticing window onto a detail of the day one might ordinarily overlook.
Ten years ago she made the move to switch careers from textile design to illustration, to fulfill a long-held goal, and began a rigorous daily sketchbook project, doing a 30-minute painting every day.
The looseness and intuitiveness of those paintings became her signature style and they are the source of much inspiration to herself and others. She is endlessly amazed and satisfied to see her shelf filling up with completed sketchbooks.
Jennifer's work has been featured on many products and brands worldwide, including Anthropologie, Abrams Books, Chronicle Books, Eeboo, Kate Spade Home, Tocca, Seattle Chocolate Company, Roger LaBorde as well as many others. Her books include two inspirational sketchbook journals published by Abrams that encourage and inspire people to develop their own daily drawing practice.
She also wrote a book called All Hail the Queen with Chronicle books, which empowers girls and women through informative and fun illustrations of powerful woman monarchs throughout history.
Jennifer Orkin Lewis
Painter, Illustrator, Author
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