This week’s dose of inspiration comes from Australian creator, Janni Louise. A self-described generalist, Janni’s work covers a variety of media and styles, but is anything but generic.
She’s a great example of a creator who was nurtured in her youth and only grew as an artist with each life experience. While she has an impressive portfolio of professional work done for clients, we particularly like her fine art collection.
Art makes her happy, and that makes us happy, so let’s all get happy and check out her answers to our 5 Creator Questions:
Who are you and what do you do?
Hello! I’m Janni. I draw things. Bringing my imagination to life through a broad range of visual mediums makes me so happy. Whether with pencil to paper, or an apple pencil in hand, I enjoy capturing beauty and connecting people through my work. I currently use my highly developed skills to create art on a freelance basis.
How did you get started?
Gosh, well I started drawing from the moment I could hold a pencil to paper! I was a bit of an art geek growing up and often spent my lunches at school sketching. My teachers noticed and nurtured me by sending me to specialist art camps and workshops. I followed with studying Multimedia Design at University, and Art Curation with Node-Berlin, courtesy of my employer at the time, Bluethumb. I spent 3 years working for the online art marketplace and learned a lot about art in regards to branding it, marketing it, curating, hard-selling it, and managing other creative individuals. I further learned about the creative process behind brand and marketing campaigns whilst managing creative teams in creative agencies. Behind the scenes, I spent my time drawing for fun and being commissioned by others. Now I’m using everything I’ve learned to draw commercially for small businesses whilst working on my own passion projects: Lacuna Wild, Creative Retreats; and The Animality Project. an A-to-Z art mission dedicated to wildlife conservation.
What sets you apart?
I’d say I’m unique because aside from being a visual artist, I’m a strong generalist with startup and agency experience. I’ve worked as an account manager, creative producer and as ground-floor startup hustler. I’ve created brands from scratch and I’ve marketed them to the point of recognized national success. I know the process that unfolds around the artwork I create and I understand the important role it plays in regards to communicating brand and forming connection.
What obstacles did you have to overcome?
The biggest obstacle I’ve had to overcome is myself! I can be highly critical of my work, like many other creators. This constant need to perfect really held me back in regards to taking the necessary steps to specialising as visual creative. It’s taken a lot of courage to step away from everything I thought I had to be and into the shoes of the person I know I am Janni, the artist.
Do you have any tips for other creators?
Ah, you know, the general – give yourself time and space, as often as you can, to let your mind ponder. Also, If you find yourself in a critical space step out if it right away, and don’t kick yourself before others have.
Lastly, I know it can be tedious but try to invest in learning how to market yourself online. Creative minds are in demand and the industry is rapidly changing. Personal brand has become an important deciding factor. Know yourself and don’t be shy – share your talents with the world.
Bravo, Janni. Bravo.
She’s been smart and cultivated a beautiful personal brand around her imaginative art – every creator’s dream!
She illustrates animals with a perfect balance of life-like realism and artistic whimsy, which gives her pieces a depth you may not expect at first.
Don’t believe us? Then you clearly haven’t seen her Endangered Giraffe on a wood board yet (it’s one of her original creations). You have to check it out, and then check out the rest of her site while you’re at it!
Ready to take Janni’s advice and start marketing yourself online? It’s easy to get started and you can continue playing and building your site over time. Why wait? Start now!
