JAYA NICELY

Illustrator / Designer

Pasadena, CA

www.jayanicely.com
Instagram @jayafish
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WHAT DO YOU DO?

“I’m a freelance illustrator and a part time art director/designer for an independent publisher in Los Angeles, as well as my own quarterly publication called Compound Butter. ”

WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

In high school I realized that I wanted to pursue art and after building up my portfolio I enrolled at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. There I fully realized my passion for illustration as well as design, trying to find a perfect marriage between the two in my life. I interned at a magazine working closely with the art director to try and improve my design skills, but also to learn how to run a magazine and start your own company which is ultimately my goal.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?

Right now I'm finishing the newest issue of Compound Butter, starting a new series of paintings based around Highland Park, Illustrating and designing album artwork/packaging for a local band and continuing my work as an art director for independent books.

WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?

I tend to be drawn to more minimal design, trying to keep things as clean as I possibly can. I always base my drawings and paintings from reference images I take myself, I like to think as my personal work as a documentation of people and the environment around me. I tend to be attracted to counterculture and the things that wouldn't necessary be painted, and that's why I love to bring attention to them. My pieces, "The skater scroll" and "Alycea" are probably my strongest examples of my perspective.

WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?

That always changes. Whenever I find myself doing more design, I wish I was doing more illustration and vice versa.

WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?

What's frustrating is the amount of people who demand art, illustration, design but don't want to pay what its worth. I'm constantly being asked to do work for free or at extremely low prices, and it seems that people don't understand or even respect the amount of work that goes into it. They just want it to be the cheapest but still want a masterpiece in the end.

IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HOUR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?

I would have them work on the publicity aspects of Compound Butter, like planning out social media posts, contacting stockists, websites, advertisers and mailing orders.

IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

I would like to get a rundown on starting a small business, how to find investors, and how to grow it fast.

WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

I'm looking for some fun and creative freelance opportunities, possible full time as well. I'm also looking to connect with other creatives who are doing awesome things for possible future ventures and collaborations.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL CLIENT?

I recently did an illustration job for a restaurant in San Francisco called WesBurger 'n' More and it was a really great experience. He gave me a lot of creative freedom at an extremely great price, which I think just made me more psyched to work for him and put in that much more time. I really wanted to make sure each drawing was fantastic, and at the same time it was really fun to draw delicious food all day. It didn't feel like "work" which was really refreshing to experience.

WHAT IS YOUR RATE?

If I'm charging hourly, it's usually between $20-30. I've done full page illustrations at a range of $400-1000, portraiture being at the higher end of that.

HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?

You can email me with the important details of the project, like deadline, ideas and budget. Including links to influences or reference imagery would be great as well.

jayanicely@gmail.com

HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?

Getting out of the house.

Jaya Nicely