Meet the Artist: Jill Labieniec
Meet the designer/illustrator behind our two latest prints, Ginger & Savannah! We are thrilled to have partnered with Jill Labieniec for these two exciting new patterns. Shop the full collection here. Read on to learn more!
Could you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about yourself?
Sure! I currently live on a small island in the PNW but grew up running wild in New England ;). My mom homeschooled us in the early 90’s so I got to spend a lot of time outdoors and following creative whims. Entering public school in the 6th grade was a WILD ride and I leaned heavily into my creativity as a safe space from all that is middle school.
After college I moved to Seattle where I met my husband and created a life full of art and hobbies that I love.
How did you get started with illustrations and design?
I've always been a creative person, perhaps more of a maker than an artist. I knew from an early age that I wanted to follow that creativity wherever it led me. At one point I wanted to be a craftsperson in a living museum but I ended up studying illustration instead. Like most things in my life, I didn’t have a clear vision of what that would mean for my future but I jumped in and somehow it all worked out. I spent years working as an inhouse designer where I learned so much about manufacturing and the practical and logistical sides of running a product based business. It's a fascinating world and I have so much respect for all the hands needed to bring a product to life.
Can you give us a little insight into what inspired the designs behind this collection?
Ginger was inspired by my own small backyard flock of chickens. Our gals are all named after fictional detectives and we have one rooster who goes by potato. I love watching them roam around, sun themselves and run. If you've never seen a chicken run it's kind of the best. They truly are wild little dinosaurs!
Savannah is a design purely based on imagination, although I wish I could say it was based on my backyard menagerie hehe. I love nature and drawing animals in a way that's both whimsical and sophisticated, making my art full of imagination for both adults and children.
What is your creative process like day to day? Where do you draw inspiration from?
I run my own freelance illustration & design business now so my days can look very different from one to the next. Some days I get to draw and paint while others are spent emailing, reaching out to potential clients, editing photos or creating marketing materials. I love the variety and the challenges that come with being a business of one.
My art is inspired by daydreams. Not the practical kind but the big fantastic daydreams we allowed our minds to travel to as children. My biggest hope is that my art allows people to escape and drift off to some magical place—even if it's just for a brief moment. We all need to give ourselves space to rest, daydream and grow.
