Discover the work of Jacqueline Coley who creates fun and fabulous illustrations from her home studio in London.
What inspired you to become an artist, and when did you first realise that you wanted to pursue this career path?
I knew from a super young age that art was my favourite thing to do I'd happily spend hours working on drawings and making posters for my bedroom so my parents were happy to let me do that as it kept me busy! I knew that ultimately I wanted to get through normal school and go to art school from around 11 as soon as I found out that there was such a place!
What are some of your favourite materials and mediums to work with, and why do you prefer them?
Im a real process person; I have to work through several stages to create my art. Starting with pencils and simple recycled printer paper I sketch out a composition over and over until I'm happy then I'll do a colour sketch version usually combining felt tip pens with coloured crayons as the felt tips give nice flat colour and the crayons give good texture. If I'm happy at this point I will scan the sketch into my computer using a basic desktop scanner and then rework it in photoshop either because I want a digital version or because I want to make the separations to print my design either with a risograph printer or by hand with a silk screen. I love the end effects these printing techniques produce with lovely textures, colours and happy accidents!
How would you describe your artistic style, and how has it evolved over time?
It's definitely a bit pop art and very graphic I've always loved Andy Warhol and the concept of elevating everyday objects and popular culture motifs. I studied Graphic design which heavily influenced my love of typography so there is often a typographic element to my designs and I love to delve into the world of mid-century advertising which is a never ending source of inspiration to me.
What themes or ideas do you explore in your artwork, and why are they important to you?
There's an over arching theme of optimism and positivity I use my art to cheer myself up so bright colours and upbeat phrases, words or imagery are reoccurring themes. Otherwise it might be capturing a place I have visited and loved trying to whittle it down to it's concentrated essence that's what I attempted to do with my Palm Springs and NYC prints combining all my favourite things together and throwing them at the paper it an organised way!
What challenges have you faced in your artistic career, and how have you overcome them?
My creative career has been a very meandering journey and it's taken a long time to build up enough confidence in my work to put it out there. I studied graphic Design for Communication at Chelsea with all male tutors and often found that my ideas 'scored less points' for pleasing a female over a male audience after some failed attempts at making work for men as that seemed the only 'prestigious' work you could make. I gave up and went back to making work I loved. I think only time and practice has helped me build my confidence and believe in my work allowing me to pitch it to potential collaborators and share it online it's still a process and having a baby recently and stepping away from my work for a year to raise her has again knocked my confidence in what I'm doing. It's easy to fall into a spiral of 'what is the point of my work' but it's best not to let those voices in and just get on with doing something, anything, whatever my brain can handle!
Who are some artists or other creative figures that have influenced your work, and how have they inspired you?
Working for H&M in Sweden introduced me to the work of Josef Frank who has a really unique approach to pattern design stepping away from the expected florals and making designs that incorporate a wide range of themes. A contemporary artist that I love is Lakwena her use of colour and typography is always so uplifting. I tend to seek out art that makes me happy and so that why thats often a goal for my own practice.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out on their artistic journeys?
I'd advise people to stick with it the path can seem so meandering but if you are passionate and keep on making and sharing the work and then making and sharing new work! You start to find your people and build a community. Doing markets was instrumental for me to honing my craft as you get instant brutal feedback from people and that can be tough but also so instructive. I still do the occasional market as they are a great way to see old creative friends and meet new people perhaps even find a fellow collaborator and of course get scouted for projects!
What are your goals for your art in the future, and where do you see your career going in the next few years?
I love experimenting with building 3D versions of my illustrations with papier-mâché at the moment. It's a real creative outlet for me; getting away from my computer, using my hands to build a shape and then using paint to decorate. I'd like to keep on making time for that as having a creative practice outside of my computer is good for me!
What's your favourite piece that you sell on Fy! and why?
I love the Change is the only Constant piece it's exclusive to Fy! and it will never cease to be true. It's ancient wisdom from Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher and it's always reassuring to me
