We sat down with illustrator and lettering artist, Jennifer Hines, to discuss her inspirations, creative processes and what it’s like to create Moments…
What’s your background and how did you become an artist?
I’ve always loved creating. My mother is also a very creative person, so art was always encouraged and came very naturally to me. I studied art in high school, before going on to study creative writing at university, however I quickly learnt that I couldn’t live without visual art and new that I eventually wanted to go back to it.
How would you describe your own work?
Colourful, fun, whimsical and playful.
Who are your biggest influences?
I love the work of Mary Kate McDevitt, Lisa Congdon, and Lauren Hom. They all have a very playful and fun aesthetic, using lots of colour and lettering in their work.
Where do you seek inspiration?
Everywhere! I take walks, which always spurs some ideas. I also enjoy visiting to art museums and traveling to see new perspectives. In my spare time I also read a lot and am often inspired by good food and recipes!
What keeps you creative?
Doing it regularly, but also taking time off. I always get ideas when I’m thinking about something else, so it’s good to spend time perfecting my craft, but also taking time to do something entirely different.
What do you do if you ever find yourself stuck in a creative rut?
I often take a break and try not to feel guilty about it. There’s often the assumption that to be a good artist you must draw every day, but that isn’t true. Spending time reading, watching a movie, or handing out with friends all feeds into your creativity, so permission to take a break is essential in my opinion.
Talk us through your creative process
Thankfully I have so many ideas, I never really have an issue finding something to draw. Usually, I’ll create work on my iPad in Procreate, which feels just like drawing on paper.
I tend to start out with a pencil sketch to perfect the layout and styling. I might even create multiple sketches or use different layers so I can move and resize things to ensure I get the layout exactly how I want. I’ll also conduct a lot of research around the subject so that I have some references.
Once I know what I’d like my sketch too look like, I draw in the outlines using a textured brush in a colour a bit darker than the intended colour of the object. I use a lot of layers so that I can move or recolour things if needed. I also like to add a little bit of texture and shading. Most of my work includes lettering in various styles as well. Finally, when I’m all done, I bring the Photoshop file onto my computer to do any last touches, before hitting save.
What memorable responses have you had about your work?
Usually giggles at my dumb dad jokes and puns, but they make people smile, so I keep drawing them.
What’s the one piece of equipment in your kit your couldn’t live without?
My iPad (and Apple pencil). If it broke today, I’d be grabbing a new one right away!
If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self – what would it be?
To trust the process. I didn’t know that I would end up where I am now. Sometimes I’ll find myself questioning the past, or previous decisions, but in the end, I know that my journey to get where I am was important. I learned a lot that still feeds into my work today. Plus, there will always be time to do more and re-explore
How did you feel when you first saw your work published in the Momentful app?
Warm and fuzzy!
Which is your favourite Moment of yours that’s available in app?
I’ve always been partial to ‘Slay Your Doubts’, both for the fun colourful nature of the piece, but also because I can always be reminded to focus on the positive and not fall into self-doubting.
Explore Moments from Jennifer Hines by downloading the Momentful app today on iOS and Android.
