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

Alright, Jodie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I wasn’t going to pursue a career in design until my Art teacher at school submitted one of my pieces to the local gallery competition where I was later featured. I never even went to see the exhibition when it was on and told no one about it, as I didn’t think I was good enough still! I then studied Art & Design at college, specialising in Textiles. After this I studied a BA (hons) in Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern at Leeds College of Art. This is where I truly came into my own and found what I love doing, illustration for children.
I have always been interested in doing things by hand. Painting, collaging, Lino-cut, generally making a mess! But I love the process and letting time get carried away. I find it really therapeutic.
I sometimes wish that I studied Illustration at university, as I am now about to start a Masters in Illustration online from Falmouth University, but I feel that when designing patterns the basis for this is generally to start with an illustration anyway! And it is always super cute seeing my designs on childrens clothing, this is something that will never get old!
The skills I found essential was generally drawing from life, keeping sketchbooks, finding colour palettes in every day things, and creating by hand because this helps you embrace imperfections that can sometimes get lost when working digitally. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy using both hand and digital, but working by hand will always have a special place in my heart.

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?

I’m Jodie, founder of Dolly Pepper Studio and also freelance childrens illustrator/surface pattern designer (gosh, long title!). I set up my small business in the height of the first lock down in the UK and this really gave me some focus and pushed me to keep going. I am also part of the Neurodiverse community and I am passionate about creating designs that aid my own and others wellbeing. Whether that be through carefully thought out colour palettes that could be cheerful or calming, or even illustrations that generally make you smile. It is important to me. Before I had my daughter in 2021, I worked on Dolly Pepper Studio part time whilst also working in retail. I would attend markets, craft fairs as well as sell my greeting cards, gift wrap and stationery online and via Etsy/Folksy.
As well as having a product based business that I am aiming to work on again this year, I also freelance for various markets. Including childrens illustration for picture books (something that I love to do and want to do more of this year), surface pattern designs for clothing, greeting cards and stationery. I also would love to see my illustrations animated and have had interest in this already this year!
I feel that my style is quirky, playful and bright. I like to use handcrafting techniques combined with digital means to create lovely designs.
My proudest project so far has to be designing a collection of 20 greeting cards aged 1 to 10 for male and female markets. This then expanded into various captioned cards such as ‘Granddaughter, Nephew, Son’ etc. It is lovely to see my designs out in the wild too, something that always makes me proud.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Those that know me know how much of a struggle it has been for me to just even keep going. To get up in the morning and face the day ahead. Those that don’t may not see my invisible disability however I am quite open about it as I want to raise awareness more. In 2017 I suffered my first experience of stress induced psychosis. I was in my final year at university, just completed my dissertation and was working on my final major project. This was the first time I admitted that I was struggling with my mental health. Luckily my university granted me an extension for my deadline, and I completed my degree and final show with a 2.1! A few years down the line and a few relapses later, and after the birth of my daughter, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. This explained so much and meant I could start my long journey of healing. Fast forward to now and I also have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. I receive great support now with mental health teams etc and so mostly look forward to the future.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Seeing the positive impact on others that my work gives. Knowing that in some way I am giving back and this makes me feel proud and hopeful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jodiepsmith.wixsite.com/dollypepper
• Instagram: @dollypepperstudio

Image Credits
Childrens Dress Image – Milk Thistle Studio Playful Peppers Greeting Card collection – International Cards & Gifts