Pigeon

Artist: Jennica Elizabeth Blanchard
Web site: Bite Studio
Etsy: Pigeon
Location: Portland, Oregon

What do you create?
I create a lot of different objects. I'm attracted to drawing, painting and collage. For the Etsy site I narrowed my focus to pen and ink illustrations on polymer plates.

How did you come up with your business name?
I tend to switch mediums a lot so I wanted a business name that was fairly ambiguous.

Pigeon has been a nickname for a long time because I have a really good sense of direction. I came across the linguistic terminology for pidgin and thought it was a good way to describe how I make artwork-- a distinct particular collection from a large pool of information. I combined the spelling to make Pidgeon-- my own visual term.

When and why did you decide to start your business?
I started making the necklaces about 3 years ago for friends and they got a lot of attention. After selling things at some craft shows for a friend told me about etsy. I set up my online store in November of last year.



Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
I love things with a rich variety of shapes and textures. I started drawing buildings because I like the juxtaposition of having something monumental being really tiny. People are usually dwarfed by structures not the other way round.

Which of the tools you use is your favorite?
I can't pick between really tiny pen nibs and blending with brush pens.

What is your favorite part of your creative process?
Making the drawings themselves. I love examining the buildings closely, as I am drawing more and more details become apparent.

What keeps you motivated?
Positive feedback on my work helps a lot. That and working on other art projects. I make monotype prints as well which is a much larger more abstract process, I can be much looser. I also make it a priority to go out and look at other artist's work.



How do you get the word out about your work?
People find out about my work mostly word of mouth. My friends and family are all great promoters. I wear my own jewelry at my day job so a lot of people see it and ask about it. I try to have business cards handy.

What is your main goal for the next 6-12 months?
My main goal is to take some formal jewelry design classes, everything I'm doing now is self taught. Also promoting my etsy site more and selling my jewelry in more local shops.

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
I think the most important thing about starting a creative business is to know you really really love what you are making and be prepared for a slow start.



What's the most important thing you'd like people to know/understand about your work?
I see the jewelry as little pieces of artwork that people can wear, which I guess is what jewelry is in general. I think my jewelry is unique because the visual impact of these drawings rests on the fact that they are being worn. People provide the point of reference for the scale of the image.

What adjectives would you use to describe your work?
Delicate, detailed, visceral.

Who are some of your favorite indie designers/artists?
Demofia, my friend Ariana who makes these amazing screen printed public posters.

If money, deadlines, scheduling, etc weren't an obstacle what new project would you like to take on?
I would make a huge necklace piece that would be an entire graphic novel.

What's your definition of a perfect day?
My perfect day is getting up early, riding my bike, drinking a pot of coffee and drawing drawing drawing.


Thank you Jennica!