@jendionisio

Click to set custom HTMLInstagram: @jendionisio Twitter: @dionisioJen Website: www.jenniferdionisio.com  

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

I am originally from Canada, but I have been living in the UK for over 10 years now. I studied a BA Illustration at London Metropolitan University and I have been freelancing for about 3 years.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

I use a large collection of vintage imagery and ephemera that I collect at markets and online. I draw on these for inspiration and subject. My process is similar to collage, but most things are hand drawn, with additional digital drawings and colour.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

My favourite medium is pencil on paper. I guess because I make a lot of mistakes, it’s not as final as pen, but feels a lot more personal then digital drawing.

4. What is your artistic process like?

Usually I have a feeling I want to convey, then I search for images that I think visualise this emotion, without being obvious or outright. I like to create compositions that are similar to film stills, where something came before and something will come after, but it is up to the viewer to decide what the story is. I also often come up with ideas from dreams that I’ve had or sometimes I just find an intriguing photo and create an artwork around it.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

I am inspired by the artwork of Edward Hopper; he was a master of composition, framing, light and setting. I love his ambiguous narratives and the use of an implied spectator embodied within his compositions. These are elements that I strive towards, but rarely achieve.

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

Art plays a big role in my life; I don’t like to go too long without drawing and it is how I spend most of my time. I guess I’m always thinking about potential work to make, I stop to take photos whenever something inspires me.

7. Where did you study?

London Metropolitan University

8. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully being a successful freelance illustrator.

9. What about in ten?

I don’t like to think that far ahead,

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

I want to make beautiful work that connects with people on a personal level.

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

Cheese, hands down.

12. Favourite book?

My favourite books are mostly speculative science fiction and it’s hard to pick just one, so here’s a small list: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Slaughter House Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Blindness by José Saramago and A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick

13. Favourite genre of music?

Rock and roll.

14. What are your hobbies?

Reading, watching documentaries, collecting magazines and vintage photos, ephemera, homewares and clothing.

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

Psychologist.