Artists draw from a variety of sources that serve as their muse. Some of it is from the wide spectrum of fantasy and sci-fi. Some of it is from other walks of life such as pop culture, advertisement, other art forms. Our feature artist today keys in all all of them, focusing them into laser-precise works that still carry soft glows and organic shading. Her leap from cartooning to digital media has only given her more options that have caught the eye of top shelf licenses where her work really shines. She has a polished professional style that still retains a fresh, endearing feel to it. Any fan would be satisfied to have her work adorn their walls.
Jenn DePaola (Dee-Pay-Oh-La) is a freelance digital illustrator with a focus on classic Pin-up Art and Portraiture. She grew up in Southwestern Virginia, which is where she currently resides with her husband, Paul, and their two kitties, Rex and Cody. (Yes, they are named after Clones from Star Wars.)
Jenn has been drawing pretty much all of her life. She started early with drawing cartoons and comics. Eventually, she found her way to portraiture where she worked to refine her artistic skills and continues to do so. In 2006 she began to venture into digital art and found a medium that she really enjoyed that allowed her to expand her skills even more so. Her most recent artistic endeavor is the wonderful world of pin-up art but with a pop-culture twist tying into Star Wars, cult classic films, and nostalgia. Jenn has also worked on several sketch card sets for Topps Trading Cards, including multiple Star Wars sets, as well as a Mars Attacks! set. It was a dream come true for Jenn to work on officially licensed projects for Lucasfilm, LTD, and Star Wars.
At this time Jenn is working on a series of pin-up art for a line of products in the near future. She also takes on commercial work and private commissions when she has time.
What drew you to illustrating Star Wars?
“When people ask me what draws me to illustrate Star Wars, the simple answer is “It’s my life!”
I’ve grown up in a world where Star Wars has always existed. Some of my earliest memories are playing with the original Kenner action figures with my older brother and his Death Star trash compactor playset. Or spending hours playing with and reading the pop-up books and listening to the read-along 45 record storybooks and more. Star Wars was a constant throughout my childhood. That love of Star Wars continued with meeting my husband, Paul. Our first date was The Phantom Menace. We’re still together years later, still into Star Wars and loving it.
The Star Wars Saga holds a special place in my heart and always will. It has helped shape the person that I have become and am still becoming. So, when it comes to drawing, my mind and heart naturally gravitate to Star Wars and that keeps me inspired to keep creating.”
What are some of your favorite pieces to illustrate?
“When I think of Star Wars, I instantly think of Princess Leia. As a young girl, she projected leadership. A no-nonsense attitude that took command of the situation, whatever it may be. It was a pretty big departure from what I had seen in other films and stories and how women were depicted. That played a huge part in my adolescence. Fast forward several decades, and it’s still those female characters that don’t hesitate to take the lead that really calls to me. Aside from Leia, now General – though she’ll always be Royalty; There’s also Ahsoka Tano, Hera Syndulla, Sabine Wren, Jyn Erso, and of course, Rey Skywalker. They have fears, they have doubts, but they still show up and face difficulties. They still try. And I think that’s one of the most endearing qualities of the characters of Star Wars. They face great adversity, but they still try. They still continue on in the name of hope. And I love illustrating characters that have that type of personality or character arc. That, to me, is what a great story with great characters gives its audience… Hope.”
Websites, Links, and Merch
Jenn’s Website: jenndepaola.com
Jenn’s Email: jenn@jenndepaola.com
Patreon: patreon.com/jenndepaolaart
Instagram: @jenndepaolaart – instagram.com/jenndepaolaart
Twitter: @JennDePaola – twitter.com/JennDePaola
Facebook Page: facebook.com/JennDePaolaArt
TeePublic (t-shirts & more): teepublic.com/user/JennDePaolaArt
INPrnt (art prints): inprnt.com/gallery/jenndepaolaart
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