We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeanette Lilliane and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Q: Hi Jeanette, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
A: I never really considered anything else because nurturing my creativity is an essential part of maintaining a healthy mental state for myself. My well being depends on having a creative outlet where I can work out my problems, and that outlet has always occupied an outsized portion of my life. Additionally, I’ve found that being a creative professional puts me in the best position to discover other people just like me, who have similar professional goals and personal interests. Seeking out and forming those connections with others is vital in the creative world, and it’s one of the things I find most rewarding.Q: Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
A: I’m really proud of how diverse my body of work is, and I think the diversity of mediums and influences in each one of my projects helps to set me apart. I aim to bring together disparate elements in terms of subject matter and medium, and I strive to bring insight from various artistic disciplines to every project I take on. I’ve always been fascinated by the images conjured in my dreams, and I love to explore those surreal themes in my paintings. One of my painting mentors, Jeff Robin, encouraged me to take special notice of color and to always reflect that when I paint, and it’s an aspect I consider in every medium I work in.In an effort to use my creative powers for good, I also release as much content as I can for free use/download on my website. My free projects and templates are an effort to bring creative expression and the experience of designing and completing creative projects to anyone and everyone that might need it. For me, creativity is the ultimate catharsis and I want to share that with as many people as possible.
Q: If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A: I’m a huge fan of San Diego’s unique biodiversity and open spaces so I’d undoubtedly take my friend to some of my favorite birdwatching locations around the city. Lately I’ve really been enjoying watching the ospreys dive for fish at the Batiquitos Lagoon (and other raptor hotspots as detailed in my zine, HawkStalk), and visiting the La Jolla Tidepools after dark with a UV/Blacklight so I can watch all the tiny creatures and kelp fluoresce in a stunning kaleidoscope of unfamiliar colors.
Reach out to me about commissions, contract work (graphic design, photo editing, brand/social media management for your small business, graffiti removal, or one of my other skills), or projects you might want to collaborate on — I’d love to hear what you have to say, and discuss all the possibilities with you. You can send me an email by using the contact form, or sending me a direct message on Instagram (@jaylilliane). I’m also open to answering questions if you have any!