Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenn Joslin.
Hi Jenn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Jenn and I became an artist in a bit of a roundabout way. I started drawing as a kid and dreamed of being a Disney animator. Throughout high school I was heavily involved in the art department then went to college for animation. At the time I wasn’t yet focused enough to stick with the program, so came back home and jumped between several wildly different non-art majors at the local community college until I finally settled on pursuing my interest in biology. I moved to Oregon to finish this degree and discovered I really enjoyed the classes that focused on environmental ethics, conservation issues, and the natural history of the western US. After graduating I worked with local organizations like the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and Bird Alliance of Oregon as an environmental educator. I still wasn’t making much art as I moved between odd jobs here and there, but once I started taking solo adventures (with my senior pup Charlie) everything changed. At first I just went out into the wilderness to escape the chaos of daily life. I had no idea what I was doing and felt so out of my element, figuring out gear and clothing and safety out in the middle of nowhere for days at a time. But eventually I got the hang of things and started to learn more about the wildlife and ecology around me. I was inspired to draw and paint all of the beauty that I saw, and very slowly over the years it developed into the creative practice I have today. Still deeply inspired by the uniquely rugged Western states, I create bold fine art portraits and dynamic natural science illustrations that invite informed and heartfelt connection to the wild world we depend on. It all came full circle back to my love of drawing cute and charismatic animals as a kid.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all! There were a number of years where I held myself back from taking my work seriously because I was so deeply conditioned to believe that art and creativity weren’t worth pursuing. While my interest in art was supported when I was a kid, no one around me seemed to think it was possible to make a viable business from it. Fortunately I have met a lot of creative people pouring their hearts into their creative work and becoming super successful at both their craft and their business, so having real-life examples have been extremely important to helping dismantle that old destructive trope of the “starving artist” in my mind. Some days are still a bit of a mental struggle, but thanks to inspiring people, therapy, and constantly seeking out inspiration in the wilderness I have been able to actually enjoy the process of creating and make work that supports environmental causes I’m extremely passionate about.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I create visual art with a focus on wildlife conservation. Through detailed and emotive paintings I explore the science and stories of the natural world, blending natural science knowledge with personal and folkloric narratives. I like to think about it like I’m co-creating with nature, looking outside and connecting with place then transmuting what I learn, see, and feel onto the page. These days I mainly work in watercolor and graphite but also use oil and acrylics for larger paintings on wood panels for galleries and client commissions. I have also started making these cool biodiversity posters that highlight the different species of birds and other wildlife you can see in the Pacific Northwest, and have been using a digital tablet to draw and design those. I like to learn, so exploring new mediums and color palettes is one of the most enjoyable parts of being a creator. I used to think that jumping between mediums was somehow less legitimate than an artist who chooses one and sticks with it forever, but eventually came to realize that some of my favorite artists are ones who have diverse skillsets. I think using whatever you need to in order to tell your story is the most important thing. There can be a lot of “rules” and gatekeeping in the art world, but accepting that you really can make anything you want, how you want, is so liberating.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
That’s a good question, and I think at this point it’s more difficult than ever to predict the future. With the rise of AI, the economy tanking, and general fear and anxiety about the state of the world, we as creatives are facing massive hurdles. The creative field has always been quite competitive , but now we’re up against these giant AI companies who have stolen our work to train bots then tried brainwashing the public to believe that AI-generated art is the same as hiring a real living breathing artist. Spoiler: it’s not. But it makes me feel better seeing so many creators out there spreading the word about how destructive and terrible AI is. I also appreciate the environmental organizations who go to great lengths to educate folks on why AI is so damaging to our planet and what we can do to make our voices heard when developers come knocking. I think the biggest shift we are already seeing is a huge push toward imperfect, handmade work, which is so refreshing after a decade or more of only seeing perfectly polished work posted on social media. Now that we are better at sniffing out AI-generated visuals, I have seen a notable demand for original artwork of all styles, sizes, and mediums. I also have noticed a big shift toward in-person events like art fairs and community markets. People want to buy locally, meet the makers, and know they’re supporting real humans instead of faceless megacorporations. Despite the negatives, I think this is going to be seen as a sort of renaissance where creativity will be a lot more valued in Western culture than it has been during modern times.
Pricing:
- I like to offer products in a wide range of price points. Art should be accessible to everybody and I want my work to be priced in a way that is fair for all of us. Typically I stock a range of products from $5-$100 for stickers, cards, and framed prints. Then original pieces range from about $200-2,000 depending on the size and medium.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jennjoslin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennjoslinart
- Other: www.jennjoslin.bigcartel.com
