We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Janessa Reimer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Janessa, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I first started painting back in 2020 when the world shut down. I was a new mom, struggling with severe postpartum depression and needed something to help my mental health. I found an artist offering free virtual paint nights and decided to give it a try. To my surprise I really enjoyed myself. I started practicing drawing, painting with acrylics every day. I painted for my family and friends to start.
I am a huge book nerd and started my fantasy journey just last year 2024. I got inspired by what I was reading to start creating artwork. I am now officially licensed with multiple authors to create and sell art prints, stickers and bookmarks.
I think what would have helped speed up the learning process would be to take art courses but I didn’t have the money nor the time. The most essential skills were to learn how to look at an image and break it down into easy shapes, to build up the image piece by piece. I would say finding enough time back then and now is the biggest obstacle to learning more.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My art style has changed and evolved over time. I love experimenting and using different tools and techniques. My focus has turned to fantasy landscapes inspired by the books I read.

I do not have a creative background. I became a unit clerk/secretary and worked in a hospital in Winnipeg for 7 years before moving to Alberta. My artistic journey didn’t start until I had my son. Currently I work as a Volunteer Coordinator with Alberta Health Services while doing my art on the side.

My artwork is fun, bright and colorful. I express myself best through my paintings. I have fun splattering, mixing and using different tools and techniques. I enjoy getting completely immersed in the process.

I work with multiple authors to create beautiful pieces inspired by their incredible books.

I’m most proud of my landscape pieces, though my style is not realism, I believe I have found my artistic style. I believe its so important to be continually learning and growing as an artist. I look forward to seeing how my style changes throughout this year.

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

When I first started painting, all I did were cute nursery style animals, moving onto trying out landscapes and even portraits. I’ve had many failures in my painting journey that very well could have prevented me from pushing onwards but thanks to an incredibly kind artist and her encouragement and suggestions I kept up my practicing. I spent countless hours watching tutorials on YouTube, mixing in different styles with my own. I never would have thought I’d be at this point today, creating wonderful landscape pieces that I am so proud of. My goal is to continue working with other authors creating fantasy landscape scenes and fantasy creatures that they can use.
Painting has a way of calming my mind and being in the present moment, so as long as I enjoy what I’m doing I’ll be content.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I am an avid reader, all things fantasy and romance are my go to. I joined the bookstagram community and started ARC reading for authors and writing up reviews for them as well as showcasing their book. I was so inspired by what I was reading I really wanted to start painting certain scenes from their incredible books, so I started creating fan art and showcasing that along with the book. From there, that is how I built up my audience on social media and now I have a small Etsy shop selling my art prints, stickers and bookmarks that are officially licensed by the authors.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://janessa-reimer.kavyar.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jr_creations16?igsh=cmwzaGRpMWJwcHY3
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@janessareimercreations?_t=ZM-8tj5A394hkc&_r=1