YAY! Another friends Friday. From time to time I like to showcase one of my friends that’s doing amazing things. I met Jenn in Honolulu and recently she’s been putting out some amazing design work on Instagram so I asked her to do an interview. Here it is!
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Jenn thanks so much for doing this interview, I love love love your work. I don’t think you remember this but when were in Honolulu together working one time I was cleaning out the sound area and you were doing landscaping and I stomped on this spider egg sack that manifested thousands of spiders and I screamed like a girl. I remember looking around and only seeing you around and being like… gosh that girls gonna think I’m crazy. hahahaha anyway…
What do you do?
I am a painter, crafter, and graphic designer.
How’d you get started in that?
I have always loved arts and crafts so that has always been in my life. Graphic Design was recently introduced to me about 2.5 years ago. My brother’s girlfriend graduated in graphic design and it sparked my interest so after coming home from a lot of traveling and figuring I wouldn’t be settling soon I decided to finish my degree in graphic design online.
What is the most amazing thing you’ve seen?
The most amazing thing I have ever seen is just the natural beauty in the world. The landscapes beat anything.
What is the most heartwarming thing you’ve seen?
This is so hard and I can’t think of anything pertaining to art but the most heartwarming thing I’ve ever seen is when I went to the Philippines and worked at an abused girls home and there was a tiny girl there that was about 4 or 5. Every morning I would wake up she would run up to my legs and hug them and look up at me and say Hi Ate! (Older Sister in Filipino)
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever seen?
The craziest thing I have ever seen is sidewalk chalk art done by Julian Beever. He makes 3d Illusions using sidewalk chalk and I remember the first time I saw it I was obsessed and blown away. Check his stuff out at julianbeever.net!
What is the most encouraging thing anyone has ever said/done to you?
My husband reminds me of inner beauty here and there but when we went to Lake Tahoe for our honeymoon we were standing right in front of this beautiful and mighty waterfall. He looked over at me and said, “You know you are way more beautiful than any of this…It’s so true.” He reminds me how much God loves me and in my opinion just getting that reminder that you are loved like that is the most encouraging thing in the world.
What’s your biggest mistake?
I was a wild and rebellious kid in high school so I wasn’t very present but if I could start over I would get way more involved in art programs and events at school.
What’s your biggest struggle and how did you overcome it?
My biggest struggle was to be happy with my style and finding true enjoyment with what I do. Instead of trying to do what others are doing you need to find what you love to do and become really good at it. Endurance is key!
What keeps you inspired to keep going/creating/working?
It just brings me peace and joy to do it and it comes natural. I love seeing reactions from people when I post new art and when I give people gifts. Also, it’s a part of how I express myself and maybe in a way that I can’t exactly express with words and I think everyone has a special way of expressing themselves.
Who or what resource has been inspiring you lately?
I have been really into hand lettering and typography so there are hundreds of people that I follow to learn all kinds of stuff from. Instagram seems to be my number one resource for inspiration because its right at my fingertips. A few people I follow on Instagram are @handletteredtruth @designspiration @jacycorral @frenchpapercompany @1924us and many more. I also love going outside in nature, there’s so much out there to be inspired by.
What disciplines in life do you depend on to be consistent?
I think it’s important to do something every day whether it be a small doodle to a huge project. Another thing to do is to learn from others and be inspired by their work. We all learn from each other. It’s also very important to get the right tools and stay up to date on them because that can make the world of a difference.
What does your average day look like?
I wake up and drink some tasty iced coffee and spend time in God’s word. After that I’m ready for the day and I go on to check on what work I have for a company I do part time graphics work for. After that is done I utilize the free time I have to jump into doing any kind of art whether it be painting, drawing, hand lettering, graphic design, etc. I pretty much do that on and off and also fit the rest of the schooling that I have left into my day. Then, my husband comes home and we hang out. He may play some music while I work on my art…then the day is done!
Here’s some fun personal questions
If you had a million dollars what would you do with it?
If I had a million dollars, I’d pay my parents’ house off and let them retire and do whatever they want to do with the rest of their lives. Then I would travel for a year to wherever I wanted with my husband and whoever else wanted to come. I would use the rest to buy everything I would need to start an awesome business.
What’s your most recent go to favorite food/restaurant?
Chickfila or this place called Zeus (Greek and Lebanese) If they had a Korean restaurant where I lived it would be that…well, if they were good!
What music have you been listening to lately?
Bethel-Synthesia (It’s a No words album), Us the Duo, Random Jazz
What tv show have you been watching?
Arrested Development
What’s the latest movie that inspired you?
Zootopia was artistically a beautiful movie and it was actually really funny.
Share with us something most people don’t know about you?
If I could start life over, I’d be a professional dancer.
What have you been doing for fun? A current hobby?
Decorating my house! It’s so much fun.
What’s your process look like when you are creating?
I’m usually really excited to just start drawing in my sketchbook so I get my markers, pencils, and pens out and just start going at it. I like thinking of phrases or quotes to draw about or just certain things going on in my life. It either ends up with me drawing something, painting, or turning my drawings into graphics and making a design out of that. Music usually is a great addition to the creative process but sometimes it’s nice to just create in silence.
What question should I have asked you that I didn’t? And go ahead and answer it.
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Fried Lizard. It tastes better than fried chicken.
My name is Jennifer Lee Hester and I was born in Petersburg, Virginia. I was raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I was recently married to my husband Luke and we’re loving the married life. I love being an artist and I am especially in love with arts, crafts, hand lettering and design. I am currently in the process of opening Jszolis Art & Design to pursue my dreams of being an artist. I hope that through my talents I can share the word of God and support missions around the world.
Follow Jenn on Instagram @jszolisartanddesign
