Meet the maker: Jenna Paige shares the inspiration behind this year’s Holiday gifting artwork
This festive season, our message is one of hope, warmth and gratitude. We want to focus on the beauty of connection and shine a light on special moments.
That’s why we’re so excited to introduce you to Jenna Paige, the artist and graphic designer behind Darling Forrest, the artwork featured on our Holiday gift packaging and inspiration behind our 2021 Holiday campaign (aptly named Shine A Light).
Jenna is a Melbourne-based creative who joins the likes of Deborah from Marnin Studio and Antoinette Ferwerdain collaborating with us to bring you our beautiful limited-edition collections. Her abstract designs are rich in colour and detail and inspired by the natural world. In essence, they are perfectly aligned with our goal to inspire, delight, and spread warmth this festive season.
Below, Jenna shares her story, inspiration, and plans for the holidays.
Jenna, we’re so honoured to have worked with you on this campaign! Can you tell us a bit about your love of art?
In hindsight I wasn’t very academic at school — I gravitated towards art and design and found myself copying from my ‘book-smart’ friends to coast by. Then, I studied graphic design for five years, and really liked going home and being reckless on a canvas. I didn’t have to be particular or ‘in the lines’– I could just come home and paint exactly how I wanted, just for fun!
Since growing up, I’ve come to believe you don’t have to tick all the traditional boxes to be successful. My recipe for success turned out to be art, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Can you describe your journey to becoming a professional artist?
It’s been a 10-year journey, one that started as a hobby and has since bloomed into a career. I’m honestly still in shock that I’ve managed to sell art and evolve to a point where people want to have my work in their home!
At times, it’s been very challenging. I’ve done it all on my own, so I try to sit back and thank myself every day for not giving up. The journey is ongoing and I’m constantly learning and evolving, but I really do feel blessed to do what I love every day.
Tell us about Darling Forrest, the beautiful design you created for us.
I wanted to create a piece that showed the contrast between dark and light. My thought process was formed around life being like a forest: it can be dark but it’s never long before the lightness creeps in. Maybe now more than ever we need to believe that this darkness won’t last, and I hope that everyone reading this knows that blessings and lightness are coming for them, and can find some warmth within the artwork.
Where does your inspiration come from?
At the start of my painting career, I was going through a lot of personal stuff, and I saw painting as an emotional outlet. I would zone out and just paint for hours to escape reality. Now, as a more mature artist, I get a lot of inspiration from interior design, décor and colour palettes. I also listen to music and get lost in the lyrics – I love to sing loudly when I paint, despite being a terrible singer! In the future, I might need to think about a soundproof studio as an investment for my neighbours…
As for motivation, I rely on myself, so finishing commissions is a huge driver, although sometimes it’s difficult to be the best version of myself. I’ve found this to be especially true in lockdown and have made an effort to really listen to myself — if I truly have no fuel left in the tank, I’ll take a break.
For example, yesterday I was run-down, so I gave myself a rest and did nothing. Today I’ve worked at double the pace and ticked double the tasks off my to-do list. It is hard – I work late into the evenings most days, so I need very understanding friends. But I remind myself that to be successful you must be willing to do the things today others won’t do, in order to have the things tomorrow others won’t have.
What has this collaboration been like for you?
I was so honoured to be asked to collaborate. endota is the first big company to recognise me! Plus, the brand’s main focus is to enhance how people feel through ethical products, and this really aligns with me on a personal and professional level.
I pride myself on how my artwork makes people feel, and I know people feel amazing, warm and rejuvenated when they leave an endota spa, much like the way my art leaves people feeling love and a sense of warmth.
I also get so much joy working with Australian brands, and I can’t wait to see the Holiday collection come to life.
How will you be spending the holidays this year?
I am blessed with a large family and I adore Christmas time as we all come together to celebrate love and life. After being in Victoria for the past two years, this Christmas is going to be so special. We have missed out on so much – it will mean even more to hold our loved ones close (if we are able).