Jennette Brown is taking her talents to San Diego in 2019. The artist specializes in both digital and traditional mediums, creating each piece with her unique style. Like most of us, she fell in love with the 10th Doctor and a geek was born, let’s catch up with Jennette.
What are your expectations for your first SDCC?
Jennette Brown: Well obviously I hope my sales are successful, haha, but I hope everything goes smoothly between myself and my booth partner. We’ll be taking turns manning my booth each day and I’m sure we’ll both be exhausted, but it’ll be fun to explore the giant expo hall! It’s way bigger than anything I’ve experienced before!
Anything you are really looking forward to at SDCC?
Jennette Brown: Connecting with people! Nobody has seen my artwork at SDCC before, so I look forward to branching out to a new audience. I also like to connect with other artists so I’m looking forward to browsing the MANY the artists around me!
What advice does Jennette Brown have for people just starting out in the art business?
Jennette Brown: You need to be able to interact well with people. Be personable, friendly, and approachable, and people will support your art no matter what skill level you’re at. Be passionate about what you draw, and others will recognize that passion. Simon Sinek said it best in a TED talk: “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” That rings true for being an artist!
You started off as a music major but ended up in a different artistic medium, how did that happen?
Jennette Brown: I’m very passionate about music. I play multiple instruments and I was a total band geek in high school. I still was as I entered college as a music major, but the grind of college can be tedious and I craved something else to fill that void. I had always been artistic, but not that great. A few art classes in high school, but mostly self-taught. I discovered the site deviantART and it opened my eyes to new opportunities with artwork that I didn’t even know existed. Specifically, digital artwork. Had I known, I would have chosen a major in art or illustration, but I was already heavily invested in music. So I did art on the side, eventually improving enough to earn money through commissions. Once I graduated in 2010 (with a music degree haha) I went, full-time freelance artist. Maybe one day I’ll be the high school band director I originally sought out to be. 😉
What came first for you the art or the geeky stuff?
Jennette Brown: The art. For the longest time, I drew art because I was paid to do it and did what pleased others and not necessarily myself. It wasn’t until one single show changed my life: Doctor Who (specifically the Tennent era). I became obsessed and had to draw all things Doctor Who and Tenth Doctor. It catapulted me into doing a t-shirt, geek parody designs, and fan artwork. It’s also what started my comic convention career! I was always a geek, but this is where ‘work’ became more fun!
You took a hiatus from art, what brought you back?
Jennette Brown: Ah yes…babies! Haha! After my second daughter was born, it became incredibly difficult to juggle art and a newborn. I made a strong effort to return because I saw amazing inspiration all around me and felt that itch again. I also made goals for myself such as learning to get better at landscape/scenery. It was also difficult when our 3rd daughter came earlier this year, but I have had practice, so I was able to keep on going! It was hard, but I don’t plan on taking another break any time soon.
You use both traditional and digital mediums, why both? Do you enjoy one over the other?
Jennette Brown: Definitely digital! Ctrl+z is heaven sent! That’s one of the reasons I struggle with traditional is I mess up a lot. I don’t have to worry about that much in digital. But you get some gorgeous effects that I can’t really create in digital (yet, maybe one day)!
Are there any characters or fandoms you never get tired of working on?
Jennette Brown: I’ll never get tired of drawing How To Train Your Dragon! Toothless is life.
What was your strangest commission request?
Jennette Brown: Once I got commissioned to draw a transformation sequence of a gothic girl transforming into a unicorn. I believe it was around that time where I decided to reevaluate my art life haha!
You can find out more about Jennette by visiting her website http://www.artistjennettebrown.com/ or following her on social media.
Super fun commission for @dragonhordeshop! Had a lot of fun creating this for her! Always a pleasure! #digitalart #digitalpainting #artistsontwitter #art #photoshop #fantasy #scenery pic.twitter.com/69ra7yGy29
— Artist Jennette Brown ➡️ #SLGC19 C22-23 (@sugarpoultry) June 24, 2019
