We recently connected with Jillian Zepeda and have shared our conversation below.

Jillian, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I always try and have stories behind each collection that I work on. I think that comes from my creative writing background. I also think having a story and meaning behind the art gives it a voice. You, as the viewer, might not know it by looking at the piece, you might have your own first impression of it. But once we, the artist, tell our version of the collection or the individual piece, you, the viewer, connect with it on a deeper level.

I always work in collections and rarely do a one-off piece unless I’m testing a style. Each of my collections stems from showing the women’s body and always comes from a place of realism, even though some of my pieces are very abstract. I would say my most meaningful collection was my “Inward Exposure” collection. It was a collection I did in 2018 over several months for my first solo art show. It was encaustic on canvas. For those of you who don’t know Encaustic painting is painting with hot wax. It is a medium where you have to allow the imperfections to speak for themselves and they become part of the painting. Which is why I love that medium so much.

I keep a journal and sketchbook and I started sketching out the bodies for this collection and writing little poems next to them. The poems were about how I was feeling and how I thought each of the women was feeling from their poses. And I started painting without much thought after that. But what was happening at this time is crucial to the paintings. I was newly married, about 6 months into my marriage and I wasn’t happy. The relationship was not healthy and it was an abusive relationship.

I started sharing the paintings that I was working on with my sisters and family. One of my sisters messaged me and asked “Are you okay?” And I gave my standard “Of course, I’m great,” answer to her. And then I asked her “Why do you ask?” Her response was enough to make me take a step back. She said “Well, typically you paint these very confident open women, and all the paintings you have shown. The women are barely there or in closed-off positions.” I had to take a step back and look at them and she was absolutely right. Without realizing it, I was painting exactly how I was feeling from my subconscious. Even though to everyone around me I had put on this brave face that everything was fine.

When I went back and read my poems and really looked at the not so their bodies I was painting, I noticed that everything wasn’t fine. That it was this form of me calling out for help when I didn’t know how to verbalize it. It was because of this collection that I decided to help myself and get a divorce. I couldn’t lie to myself anymore when I had all these images staring at me telling me that I wasn’t happy and fine. To this date, this is my most meaningful collection and probably some of the most honest work I have done.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

how you got into your industry / business / discipline / craft etc,

I’ve known from a young age that I needed to be doing something creative. When I was in high school I spent a lot of time in the art room just trying to figure painting out. Trying to find my style and at 18 I was lost. I was comparing myself to my friend’s art and just trying to figure out how I can incorporate art into a degree. When I told my parents I wanted to go to art school they told me I needed to have a more stable job and career path. Mind you this was in 2007, well before social media, being an influencer, and being an entrepreneur was sought after. My parents just wanted to me to graduate with a degree so that I could get a stable job, have a stable income, and have stable insurance because that was the thought process at that point. So I applied to schools for Interior Design because let’s be honest I watched Will and Grace and I really wanted Grace’s cool NYC office. Just kidding, it was still a creative business that I could play with color and texture in a more realistic “job” form. And I was constantly doing DIY projects all over the house. I can’t tell you how many colors I had painted my bedroom, or made my own bedding, etc.

So I went from my small town in Central Oregon to Boston, for college. It was a big change, one that I was not ready for. But I attended the art school there, and my very basic drawing and painting classes were my favorite. But when it came time to sign up for my next semester of classes I was met with some very harsh criticism. Even though I was doing well in my classes, the advisor help me pretty told me “Had I reviewed your portfolio, I would have not admitted you.” This lady wasn’t even one of my professors. But at 18 I was vulnerable and she was right, I was not a good artist and I took her word as law. So I gave up pursuing art in that form. I didn’t give up all art because my degree is in film. I just switched my focus from painting to writing, which helped a lot. That was in 2007, it wasn’t until 2014 when I found my portfolio that I asked myself why did I give this up. And I started painting and drawing again. Someone told me at that time “You are doing yourself and the world a disservice by not sharing your talent.” And since I heard that I haven’t looked back.

It wasn’t until 2018 that I decided to actually call myself an “Artist” because I didn’t believe it for a while. But that is when I started to really take it all seriously and establish my business and brand.

what type of products/services/creative works you provide,

I am a painter and I paint in acrylic, oils, and encaustic painting. Lately, it has been mostly liquid acrylic because I like the fluidity of the medium. I sell originals and prints of my work. I have done a few commissions but I think people really connect with the stories that I tell with my paintings.
I help my clients pick the right piece for them, it is much more than picking a “pretty painting.”

what problems you solve for your clients and/or what you think sets you apart from others.

Going back to the interior designer in me, I know how difficult it is to find art for your client’s home. Art is such a personal thing to shop for. It becomes this extension of you and your personality. A designer can help you create a beautiful home, but only you can pick out a piece of art that truly speaks to you. I help my collectors really find the piece that speaks to them. I once had a collector buy a piece from me because of the poem I wrote on the back of it. She connected so well to the poem, that once she read it, she connected deeper to the art piece. And now when it hangs in her home and she tells the story behind it, she is also telling her story along with it.

What are you most proud of and what are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc.
I am most proud that I have stuck with it, even when believing in my work and myself have sometimes waivered. As most artists have this problem. Feeling like we have imposter syndrome or something. But it always comes back to the art and “Why” I create. This boils down to “I have to create…” If I am not creating I feel lost. Creating art is this outlet for me and it is the gift that I was given. I always promise myself that I need to create the most honest art. To put away social media and see what other people are doing, and focus on what am I trying to share. It is easy to get caught in “well I’ll do this because other people are selling stuff like this…” I have tried this and it never sits well and it isn’t who I am. That is what I try and stay focused on, creating the most honest art in the unique way that I paint and share it with the world.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

This is a huge question. And the answer is quite simple. Please treat all artists as business owners. Stop asking for discounts and things for free. We have put years and energy into learning our craft and also a lot of money. I think that is one of the biggest things that society doesn’t understand. Being an artist is so expensive and we have to wear all the hats in our business. To shed some light on this, they don’t understand that in order for our work to be seen, we have to apply to be in art shows which cost money just to apply. And once and IF we are accepted we still have to pay a fee just to be part of the exhibition. But we do it with the hopes of exposure to find a collector base. Some are lucky to make back the cost of fair booths or exhibition fees. I’m not complaining here because I would do it over and over again, because, like myself, all artists love talking about our artwork with people. Being able to show the pieces in person and tell the story behind them. You only get so much from staring at the art on a tiny screen, but seeing it in person will never go away.

So how can society help support artists? By going to these art shows, fairs, etc. And most artists know that most people can’t afford an original painting. So that is why most artists sell prints of their work. it is a more affordable cost and more people get to have that painting, that story to be part of their home. So when they go to these shows, start following the artist, and sign up for their email list. And then share it with their friends and families. I can’t tell you how important word of mouth is. I have had more interest in my work by simply word of mouth.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My mission and goal are to eventually be a full-time artist. And to be able to work and develop my craft on a daily basis. I have a lot of big dreams, like Oprah size goals over here. And it isn’t just for me, it is also to be able to help support the creative community starting at a young age. To help other upcoming artists that are struggling to get to a point of financial freedom. So my goals and my mission aren’t purely for myself, they are to help the community as a whole. Because I learned a long time ago that paying it forward goes a long way. To the people who have generously helped me in my journey, I hope I can turn around and provide just as much help to the people coming up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jillianzepeda.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillianzepedaart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-zepeda-a20ab131/

Image Credits
All photos were taken by myself or by my significant other.