In a world filled with noise and chaos, J3nn1b33’s art offers a moment of serene reflection. Her use of geometric abstraction, vibrant colors, and heartfelt stories behind each piece invites viewers to pause and explore the beauty in light and simplicity. For digital art collectors, artists, and enthusiasts, her work is a beacon of both creativity and emotional connection. In this interview, J3nn1b33 shares her artistic inspiration, creative process, and the emotional depth that infuses her work.
The Journey to Geometric Abstraction
Q: Many of your works utilize geometric abstraction, forming beautiful lines and shapes. What draws you to these elements and how do they help you share your perspective on the world?
J3nn1b33: I didn’t originally start my art journey with lines and shapes or even abstract art. As a child, I would create pictures of little monsters, fairies, and animals on the wall of my closet. I wrote stories to accompany them. At night, I would trace lines and shapes with my eyes on my popcorn ceiling when I couldn’t sleep. It was very calming.
As an adult, I continued to make little characters and pictures with my kids. My first project was pixel germutts with two of my children. Little by little, I began experimenting with other styles and found that the best way to express myself was with the use of shapes and lines. They are the core of everything. Before drawing a figure, you create lines for the pose, then the triangle for the bust, and ovals for the arms and head. I prefer to leave my shapes as they are — in a raw form of what I see and experience around me.
The City
Description
The city overlooks the sea.
Influences and Inspirations
Q: Your work reminds me of Piet Mondrian and Brent Hallard, almost like a mashup between the two. Who are some of your favorite artists who have helped to shape your style?
J3nn1b33: I didn’t get a lot of exposure to art or famous artists growing up. My brother, who is twelve years older than me, was always creating something, mostly abstract art and optical illusions. I used to draw and paint with him, which left a huge impression on me. Later on, I started reading about art and learning about artists like Kandinsky, Hilma af Klint, and Piet Mondrian. Those three are the artists who really inspired me to pursue my own style.
The Role of Color in Art
Q: You seem to gravitate toward primary colors or slightly different shades of primary colors depending on the piece. How do you view color as it pertains to your body of work?
J3nn1b33: Color is difficult for me. Sometimes I choose just to do grayscale or black and white with a pop of color. Other times I choose pastel or vivid primary colors. It depends on my mood at the time I am creating it. With “Castle in the Sky,” I was reminiscing about a huge playground I used to visit when I was little. I saw my kids playing, and it made me happy but also nostalgically sad. The colors I chose for that piece bring back that specific memory. In “Airport Art,” I was extremely overwhelmed. I stayed in Miami with a group of people, and one of them mentioned that primary colors would be more appealing with my specific style. I tried it, loved it, and ran with it. The bright colors against the black and white just fit with my feelings.
The Apartment
Description
Multiple families live in one building, under one roof, separate but together within the four outer walls.
Memoir
‘‘I don’t like where I live. Not the apartment, the city, or the state. On the night this was created there was a lady outside – out maintenance lady warned us about her – she threatens other people with her dogs, and has let them loose on people before. The ladies dogs attacked the maintenance worker and her dogs, but nothing was done about it. Our apartment manager is good about looking the other way as long as the rent is paid. My husband was outside walking our new dog, and I heard this lady outside yelling profanities with her dogs barking crazily at her side. I kept praying to myself that she would be gone before my husband circled back. Not long after she started ranting the parking lot outside was lit up with red and blue lights, her obscenities drowned out by the sirens. Within seconds three more patrol cars showed up, an ambulance, and a fire truck. All the vehicles lined up outside the apartment building adjacent to mine. I took a break from drawing to watch the scene unfold. The angry lady shuffled back to wherever she came from, and the ems crew were getting a stretcher from the back of the ambulance. I didn’t stay at the window to keep watching. Instead I sat down and started drawing again. Crazy dog ladies, ambulances, police activities… all daily occurrences where I live. When my husband came in, my drawing had taken the shape of my apartment and so it got its name. ’’
Animation and Evolution
Q: Your upcoming drop utilizes animation, which I know you have played with on other platforms like Foundation. When did you start animating your geometrical works, and what drew you to this new development in your aesthetic?
J3nn1b33: I started animating shortly after I began playing with black and white or grayscale art. I had an image of a factory or warehouse coming alive with vibrant lights, and I had no idea how to accomplish it. I watched YouTube tutorials, which helped me bring my art to life even more than before.
The Light in the Art
Q: Many of your pieces have such heartfelt stories behind them. I’m thinking specifically of your pieces “The Apartment” and “Optical Art.” What inspired your upcoming piece, and can you tell me a bit about the story behind it?
J3nn1b33: “Check Out,” my upcoming piece, was inspired by the checkout lines at Walmart. My husband and I were grocery shopping, and I wasn’t feeling well. They didn’t have any electric carts that day, so I ended up walking the whole time. The line was long, so I went to sit on a bench in front of the registers. I felt really embarrassed because no one knew why I was sitting there sweating with my face all twisted up. To cope, I took out my iPad and started drawing. It helped me separate myself from the anxiety and pain I was feeling. The more I drew, the more I realized I was basically drawing the front end of Walmart. To better illustrate that, I chose to animate it—like how items go down the little belt and the cashier has to watch people at self-checkout.
Check Out
Description
An abstract piece about both Checking out at a store and checking out mentally when overwhelmed.
Memoir
‘‘This piece was created during a moment of pain, anxiety, and embarrassment. I went grocery shopping with my husband even though I wasn’t feeling good. There was no electric carts available, so I ended up walking the whole time. At the register my body was just done, I was shaking, my hips and ankle ached, and because of anxiety I was sweating profusely. I went to sit at the bench in front of the registers because the line was so long, and instead of focusing on people who were probably staring – I took out my iPad and started to draw. I just made lines and shapes until it was time to leave. When I got home, I realized the drawing reminded me of the check out are in Walmart and I decided to animate it. Drawing this helped me temporarily check out mentally so I could calm down and get through my situation at Walmart. ’’
Balancing Simplicity and Depth
Q: You are able to balance simplicity with depth and playfulness so well in your art. How do you manage to strike this balance between beauty and challenging moments, between playing and being serious?
J3nn1b33: I believe that everything happens for a reason. Even a bad situation can be used for good because it helps us grow and become stronger than we once were. In my art, I try to find the good in every situation, or the light at the end of the tunnel. I have been through so much, and thankfully I survived it because I always believed there was a reason. I hope to express to others through my stories and art that even though things might be difficult, scary, or seem hopeless, there is always a light or something good right around the corner. I want my art to be a temporary break from the stressors of everyday life—for someone to see my art, smile, and forget their worries, if only for a second.
Collaborations and Personal Voice
Q: I saw that you’ve done several collaborations. How do you make sure that your voice shines through in a collab with another artist?
J3nn1b33: I have different art styles because it took some time to find my actual style, which can make collaborations difficult. When I am collaborating, I like to add lines and shapes, sometimes animations or little germutts. It’s a way for others to know I collaborated because no one else really meshes multiple things together like that. I have also started doing collaborations where I get to animate or illuminate the art, which has been really fun.
Optical Art
Description
My views of the ophthalmologist office while waiting for my son to be seen.
Memoir
‘‘When my son was exactly one year old, he had surgery performed on both of his eyes. He was born cross eyed, and because his eye muscles were too tight, pulling his eyes inward. His surgery was a success, and he did well for a few years afterward. By the time he was in kindergarten I noticed him turning his head slightly to see his books, tablet, etc. His right eye was fine and his left eye began to turn inward again. We went back to the ophthalmologist and were told he may need surgery again. I was so upset. The doctor said his brain wasn’t using his left eye at all to avoid blurry vision, and because of that his vision was really weak in that eye. He prescribed glasses and patching of the good eye two hours a day. We have done this religiously everyday for the past few years, taking him in every six months for a new check up. This past appointment was D day to see if his eye has improved enough that surgery wouldn’t be needed. I was sitting in the waiting room with my husband and my son, trying my best to keep it together. Every time I looked at his brave face, I wanted to break down in tears and tell him how sorry I was. So instead of looking at him, or anyone else, I began to draw. I started making lines, over and over until the with soft colors. Then I blurred them to an almost translucent background. From there I just focused on making black lines. When my son was called we walked back to the exam room, and the doctor checked my sons glasses, his eyes, if the prescription had changed. I was on pins and needles the whole time. Finally at the end, he asked if we had been patching still and I said yes. He told me my son would not be needing surgery, and that his sight had improved greatly. He would still need glasses, and we might see his eye turn inward occasionally when he is tired, but otherwise he is doing really well. I was so happy that I think the doctor thought I was crazy because I was smiling so much. It was a happy ending to such a stressful day. ’’
Looking Forward
Q: What are you most excited about going into the summer?
J3nn1b33: I live in Florida now, so I am not as excited about summer as I used to be. Before, I would say the heat, the flowers, the sun because I lived up North. But now, I am excited about moving to a new home, enjoying afternoons on the front porch, and spending as much time as possible with my kids and my two furbabies. Visiting the museum of contemporary art, science museums, and so much more.
Conclusion
J3nn1b33’s art is a testament to finding beauty and meaning in every situation, no matter how challenging. Her use of geometric abstraction, vibrant colors, and heartfelt stories create a unique and deeply personal connection with her audience. For those looking to explore and collect digital art, her work offers a refreshing perspective and a touch of artistic magic. As she continues to evolve and grow as an artist, it will be exciting to see where her journey takes her next.
Her latest artwork, “Check Out,” is available on Mint Gold Dust. Listen to our live interview with j3nn1b33 here.