We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Calendar. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.

Jennifer, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

I work full time as an Elementary School Art Teacher, however, it never occurred to me that I could sell my personal work. It was not until I began working on illustration and design work for my friend’s weddings that I realized my work had an audience. My friends and family refer to me as “27 Dresses” because I have been in so many weddings. Having an art degree, my friends started reaching out to me for a variety of projects including invitation suites, custom venue watercolors, and even pet portraits. I found that this work was so fulfilling because it allowed me to use my creativity to help me bring my friends’ visions to life.

As time went on, I began receiving interest from people I did not know who were recommended to me. This is when I realized that, not only could I use my creativity, but I could actually earn income from my skills. Over the last year I’ve been working to define my style and identify what I really love to create. I am hoping to continue illustrating children’s books and get into pattern design as well as art licensing.

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

I started my company, Freckled Press, in 2021. I had the name in the back of my mind for a few years, but I was unsure of what sort of work I wanted to create. After completing art school (Tyler School of Art- 2015) and entering into full time art education, it became incredibly difficult to find inspiration to create my own work in my off time.

Freckled Press developed through a series of individual projects like friend’s wedding invitations or custom watercolors. Then, in January 2022 I posted about my recent watercolor row home portraits and it felt as if everything took off. My email started to fill with inquiries and it finally occurred to me that I could make Freckled Press a reality.

Through Freckled Press I provide custom watercolor work including home portraits, wedding bouquet illustrations, and invitation suites. I love to help others celebrates life’s most joyous moments through my work. I am also hoping to explore pattern design as well as art licensing in the future.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

The creative world is constantly evolving and growing! I truly believe that the best resource we have as creatives is our community. Baltimore has a thriving creative community with lots of resources including the Baltimore Cultural Alliance and the Impact Hub.

Oddly enough, I also feel that Instagram is such a huge resource for creatives. While it may feel like the market is oversaturated, I believe that there is room for everyone. I’ve made some great connections over instagram and it gives artists a platform to connect with a wider audience.

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

My core values are Joy, Creativity, & Connection.

I came to these values through the work of Brené Brown and her book “Dare to Lead”. Brown has her values exercise available on her website here: https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/

This exercise helped me tremendously to identify my purpose in creating and what I hope to provide to my clients and audience. I believe that Joy is the purest expression of contentment. Joy is an instantaneous and fleeting feeling, it is rare and special and something I am always seeking.

Creativity, to me, means my contribution to the world. How am I tapping into inspiration in order to add to society? As an educator, I believe that creative thinking is what will set us apart as our world becomes endlessly mechanized and digital.

Connection, I believe, is the most important value. One of the greatest joys of my work is giving my client the opportunity to celebrate a personal milestone, be that their wedding, buying a home, etc. through my work. The pride I see on someone’s face when they see their custom watercolor for the first time is unmatched. Or receiving an email that someone cried when they received their gift because of the connection they feel is what it is really all about for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.freckledpress.com
• Instagram: freckled_press

Image Credits
Headshot- Darian Smelser @darevisuals