47_Art Source.qxp_49/51 08/04/2024 18:27 Page 1
Art Source
The A-Z(emanek) Route When Jenny Zemanek was little and people asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, there were three occupations she always listed: A professional equestrian rider, a vet and an artist. While Jenny did compete on the equestrian hunter/jumper circuit, it was her love of illustration, pattern, and design that rocketed the artist to the top of her career-goal list. PG shares the creative journey, life and loves of this Ohio-based artist.
“I am a lifelong lover of all things creative. What started with happy scribbles at a young age grew into a pursuit of photography and graphic design before I eventually found my home with illustration and hand-lettering. Stints at a large publishing company and an independent ad agency gave me the practical and technical know-how as well as the confidence to open my own studio, and I’ve been freelancing out of Columbus, Ohio for the past 16 years. I work digitally, and my first love will always be Photoshop. Working on the computer or iPad allows me to really explore and revise without feeling self-conscious or too precious about my work and helps to keep my perfectionism from hindering the flow of ideas. I love to get my initial thoughts down on paper in the form of wonky lines that only I can decipher, but my artistic happy place will always be the computer. I tend to favour clearly defined shapes and lines, and revel in the joy of adding small decorative details to my work. There’s something soothing for me in zooming right in on a piece and getting lost in small dots, lines and flourishes before zooming back out and seeing how the piece has come to life. I’ve also fallen madly in love with lettering over the years and can’t get enough of exploring the storytelling capability of various styles, as well as the shapes and details of individual letters. This passion serves me well not just in book work, but with greeting cards as well, allowing me to creatively explore various occasions by accenting my lettering with jaunty swirls or elegant flourishes to add movement, create interest, and further reinforce the feelings behind the greeting itself. While I love working on all types of projects, my
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Above left: Jenny Zemanek has been represented by Jehane for licensing for the last three years. Above: A prowess of defined shapes and detailing feature in this design. Left: Lettering, patterning and subject matter feature in this design. Far left: Jenny’s love of publishing features in this Christmas design. Below left: Just one of the many book covers Jenny has designed. Below: A rich colour palette lends itself to this flowing design.
freelance career has been largely dominated by book covers, something that still feels completely surreal and never fails to bring a smile to my face. I’m so honoured to be able to work in a wide variety of genres, and with hugely creative and collaborative authors and publishers. Over the past few years I‘ve had the immense pleasure of illustrating over 50 covers, including an ongoing series of classics for Union Square Publishing. My work has also been published by Templar Publishing, Macmillan, Flame Tree Publishing, American Greetings, Trader Joes, Sellers Publishing, Galison, Rakuten Kobo, Out of Print, Chicken House Books, Amber Lotus Publishing, Sleeping Bear Press, Wentworth Puzzles, Fifth Avenue Press, Design Design, and Tendances Editions. I have recently completed my first illustrated picture book, a complete dream come true and I am currently working on my next book which is a non-fiction title inspired by the origins of language. One of my primary goals with illustration has always been to work in a variety of markets, something that has come to pass in spectacular fashion in the last three years since I’ve been represented by Jehane. It’s been incredibly exciting to see all the ways in which my artwork can be used, and I’ve loved rising to the challenge of figuring out how to bring my style and brand of creativity to not just books, but also puzzles, notebooks, gift wrap, and of course greeting cards! Working as a freelance artist means there’s always a new surprise waiting just around the corner, and I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for me next.” l Jenny Zemanek is represented for licensing by Jehane.
If you are an artist, photographer or verse writer and would like to be considered to appear in Art Source, please contact PG’s Jakki Brown on jakkib@max-publishing.co.uk. This is an editorial feature and as such is free of charge. PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 47