Jennifer Dunn is a watercolor artist nestled in the foothills of the Cascade mountain range. Drawing inspiration from the flora and fauna of the Pacific Northwest and the relentless pursuit of freedom and simple joys, her creatures are deeply infused with whimsy, joy, and furious love.
ANY PERSON WHO REALLY HELPED YOU IN YOUR AWESOME ARTISTIC JOURNEY?
My family has been instrumental, from my watercolorist dad teaching me the ways as a youth, to my grannie, a surprisingly diehard fan of my work since a child, and even now I draw inspiration from conversations with my siblings and nieces. I am very lucky to have them as my core support in making what seems to be a crazy career move.
LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE YOU WORK? ANYTHING SPECIAL IN YOUR WORK SPACE THAT UNLEASHES YOUR CREATIVE JUICES?
Absolutely. We all come up with little rituals to sync body and mind into creating. Mine right now is a lightly scented candle, toss on something with a funky groove (think Khruangbin) and get to work.
WHEN YOU GET A NEW PROJECT FROM BLUE Q, HOW DO YOU BEGIN? WHAT’S THE STARTING POINT?
I get to work. Not artwork, but rather chores, or my restaurant day job. I need to daydream, and the best way to unlock that for me is mundanity and repetitive tasks.
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST ART INSPIRATION? THIS MAY NOT BE VISUAL. LIKE, ANYTHING!
The woods, especially if there’s a stream up in there? Oof. Peak. I keep making jokes about how my Instagram page is sponsored by “the woods™”: go get in ‘em. I mean it. Forest bathing. Try it. Go get in there.
WHERE DO YOU WORK? WHAT’S YOUR WORKSPACE LIKE? ANY OBJECTS YOU’VE HAD A LONG TIME?
I am lucky enough to live where I can allow my studio to dominate the living room. Who needs a couch, amirite? I am a “maximalist” to a degree, so you know it’s got some cool clutter. Bones, including a coyote skull, tools of the trade including some vintage paintbrushes from my dad, paintings, and So. Many. Plants. -- and the occasional typewriter.
