Speaking with Illustrator, Jamie Nicole Jones

Jamie Nicole Jones is an amazing illustrator from the West Coast of America. She creates stunning artwork inspired by the natrual world.

In our latest Azutura interview, we caught up with Jamie and discussed how she created her unique style, what nature means to her, her travel bucket list and much more.

Hi Jamie - Thanks for taking the time to speak to me. Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us a little bit about your life?

Hello! I’m a freelance illustrator from San Diego, California. I grew up in Encinitas, which is a coastal town in North County, San Diego.

I went to school at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Illustration. A few months after graduation, I got married in San Diego and now this is where my husband and I are based out of!

So what’s an average day like in the life of Jamie Nicole Jones?

I’m always working on commissions or brainstorming my next project! My husband is an illustrator and designer as well, so we spend a lot of time in our little studio space, him at his desk and me usually on my laptop or with my paints.

Can you tell us about your creative process from the inception of an idea through to the finished piece?

Yes! Whether it is a commissioned piece or a personal piece, I always start out by figuring out the emotions that I want the illustration to portray. My goal is always for the illustration to evoke a certain feeling, whether that be nostalgia, curiosity, inspiration, or whatever else. At this point, I also have an idea of what colours I want to use.

The piece always starts with a very rough sketch, and then I build on top of that sketch with blocked in shapes in Photoshop. The real fun part for me is adding colours and textures, which is when I incorporate traditional mediums such as watercolour.

You have somewhat of a whimsical style - How did you develop it?

Thank you! I’ve always been drawn to whimsical art. Back in art school, I put a lot of pressure on myself to have a distinct style, but looking back, I think that learning different techniques in different classes was what helped me form my own style.

In the process of experimenting with different techniques, you find what works best for you. In the end, style is just a combination of all the things that make you YOU. Those unique beliefs, inspirations, and ideas will naturally come out through your creative voice.

What tools do you use to create your art?

Photoshop and watercolour mainly! I do love to sketch simple paintings in gouache from time to time as well.

The natural world largely features in your work - What does nature mean to you?

Being outside in nature is what makes me feel the most alive. There’s nothing like being surrounded by the grandeur of nature as it makes life’s problems seem so much smaller. That’s why I love to come up with scenes that recreate that feeling.

Other than nature, what else inspires you?

People and culture! I’ve always loved learning about new cultures and stories from around the world. There’s always something new to learn and a new source of inspiration to draw from by talking to people, hearing people’s stories, and even reading about it.

You often include people in your images - Can you discuss why you choose to depict people within nature?

Mostly because I think that it can resonate with everyone. Everyone has their own “happy place” so to speak. For some people, it’s a certain beach, or a certain lookout point, hike, mountain, etc.

Whenever I travel somewhere new and fall in love with a new landscape, I want to incorporate it into an illustration.

Your works feature both the coast and mountains - Do you have a favourite?

I grew up going to the beach all the time, so probably the coast. It’s hard to say, though.

Is there somewhere on your travel bucket list you haven’t made it to yet?

There are so many countries I’d love to visit all for different reasons, particularly in Europe and South America. However, here in the US, I’m still trying to make it to all of our big National Parks. I think Yellowstone is next!

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?

I would say to keep your eyes set on the goals you wish to accomplish and work towards those goals and dreams consistently. Try not to get discouraged by those who are “better” or farther along than you, because it all takes time.

If you draw and paint consistently, always looking ahead, then you’ll look back on the work you created in the year prior and be amazed at how much you’ve improved. I tell this to myself a lot!

What’s the future looking like? Anything big on the horizon?

My husband and I recently moved back to San Diego with our degrees, so we are looking forward to getting involved with our local art community. I’m also looking to launch an online store soon where I will sell prints and do commissions!