Art & Life with Jennifer Ober

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Ober.

Jennifer, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
For as long as I can remember, I have been drawing. I grew up in a small town just south of Albuquerque, NM where there is an abundance of natural beauty and culture for inspiration. There is also a large community of artists, many of whom played a role in teaching and inspiring me throughout my childhood. As an undergraduate, I transferred to an art school in Denver to complete my BFA in Illustration instead of Painting. Here, I solidified my passions for storytelling, especially when it includes animals. Even though I learned a lot in Denver, I wanted to learn more about illustration and pursue a masters in order to eventually teach at the college level. I came to Atlanta to go to SCAD and it has been an amazing experience. During my time at SCAD, I have experienced extreme growth and am excited for what the future brings.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My work is generally fantasy illustration but I especially enjoy creature design. Whether it is a reconstruction of a prehistoric creature or a magical doll, I love bringing a story to life. Nature and wildlife inspire the majority of my illustrations. There are so many unique and wonderful animals and places on this earth, both past, and present, that they are a constant influence. I enjoy learning about the world I live in and then creating a fantastical world to mirror it. I hope my work brings the magic of nature into everyone’s lives and inspires individuals to learn about our planet.

In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
Artists will always struggle to gain recognition as an essential part of society. However, there are different challenges facing younger artists. There are many talented entrepreneurs on social media and I believe the challenge is creating your own unique voice within the common social platforms. Artists have more avenues for their art than ever before, which is beautiful and allows for a stunning diversity within the art community. However, this also means there are more voices to compete with, making it somewhat difficult to be heard.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Currently, my work is online on my website and people can follow me on Instagram. In January, NM BioPark will use my illustration for their “Run for the Zoo” campaign and, in Spring 2019, an illustration will be part of a collection in the “Writers of the Future Vol. 35.” Individuals can commission illustrations through my Instagram page or my website. Supporters can also donate to my new Patreon page at Jennifer Ober Illustration.

Contact Info:

• Website: oberillustrations.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oberillustrations/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofjenniferober
• Other: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=3198257

Image Credit:
oberillustrations.com

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