Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Marlin.
Hi Jennifer, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I enjoyed drawing since I was a little girl and had a children’s fashion illustration how to guidebook of women’s ballgowns from different decades in history that I loved.
I spent a lot of time in grade school drawing fashion sketches in the 1-inch margin of my line paper but never knew I wanted to be a fashion illustrator till my 20s. I came across Megan Hess, she’s a fashion Illustrator from Melbourne, Australia, and her work inspired me to pursue a career as a Fashion Illustrator. Currently, I also love the fashion illustrators Holly Nichols and Ahvero.
Around 2009, I moved back to MN to start college and received an A.A. with an Arts emphasis from Anoka Ramsey Community college, then transferred to the College of Visual Arts, which closed, so then I transferred to the Minneapolis College of Art and Design where I graduated in 2015 with my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. After graduating, I worked a few years as a 9-5 Designer creating products sold at Target and other retailers.
In 2019, I decided to pursue my dream of being a full-time Freelance Fashion Illustrator and that’s what I’m doing now. Right now I’m doing a lot of live sketching at events and commissions, and my long term dream is to develop my own Brand of illustration.
I’m really grateful to all the Minnesotans, artists, and out of staters, who have given me opportunities to draw, and really enjoy it when people are happy with the artwork I create for them!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m still learning and growing, and right now don’t wish to share more.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a freelance fashion illustrator and offer live fashion sketching at events and custom Fashion illustration commissions to individuals and companies. I sketch fashion and beauty store events, bridal showers, private parties, PR launches, galas, and do a lot of weddings. I specialize in making illustrations with a bit of a stylized high-fashion vibe and draw inspiration from the fashion world and trends I see more in Europe, LA/NYC than in the Midwest.
I’m more interested in drawing fashion illustrations than other subject matter such as houses, pets, and landscapes as stand-alone artworks without people, etc., that set’s me apart.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Please say hi on social media or shoot me an email anytime! I’m happy to answer any questions about live event sketching and commissions. I do travel events as well. I can best be reached by email at [email protected] and you can see what I’ve been up to by checking my stories on Instagram at @jennifermarlinillustration or visit my website at jennifermarlin.com. I’ll be starting a new TikTok this year and posting some time-lapse fashion illustration videos that should be fun! My TikTok is https://www.tiktok.com/@jenniferm_illustration.
Contact Info:
- Website: jennifermarlin.com
- Instagram: @jennifermarlinillustration
- Facebook: Jennifer marlin
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenniferm_illustration
Image Credits
Lauren Baker https://www.instagram.com/laurenbakerphoto/?hl=en
