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

Juniper, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Looking back, it feels like art has always been a part of me. Maybe it was all those Saturday mornings spent glued to cartoons, or maybe there was just something about creating that resonated deep down. Whatever it was, the love for art has always been there.
Dealing with my mental health, homelessness and grief definitely cuts into my creative time. But I’m learning to manage it, and honestly, the whole experience has become a big part of what I express in my art. Those struggles, the discomfort, the limitations – they all come out on the canvas.

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’s a mix of influences, from childhood cartoons to the making different things using what I find around the house. I use acrylics, watercolors, and even digital tools to create vibrant characters that explore my experience with mental health and my love for animation.

It’s not just about the art, though – it’s about sparking conversations and using my platform to make a difference.

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

My artistic journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Early on, I faced some obstacles, including periods of homelessness. However, art became a powerful tool for me. It provided a healthy outlet to process the stress and navigate the challenges I faced.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

There’s definitely inspiration behind my artistic journey. Like many, I faced some tough times early on, between homelessness and mental health. It can be isolating, But art became this incredible tool, a way to express those struggles and find a sense of control. The colors and fantastical imaginations of my work.? They’re a transformation of those experiences, a reminder that even darkness can be turned into something beautiful.

That’s why I love teachers who tackle tough topics in the classroom. It sparks these open conversations, these bridges between people from different backgrounds. Art can do the same thing, you see? It can transcend words and create a shared experience, a way for folks to connect with emotions and stories that might otherwise feel unfamiliar.

So, my goal… It’s to use my art to keep those conversations going, to bridge divides and build a stronger community, one vibrant canvas at a time. Because let’s face it, a community that can talk openly, a community that can appreciate different perspectives – that’s a powerful community, a community that can truly thrive.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/junipermoonart?igsh=Z2xkMHZpczY4ZXMz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/cHrZHejYuhBv6zKh/?mibextid=qi2Omg
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@junipermoonart?si=Fm7mt6dGTiRxsNNZ

Image Credits

J. Grier