Spotlight - Jess Knights, Creating Human Connection through Illustration
Jess Knights’ illustrations are certainly ones that you’ll recognise if you’re into your food and drink around Bristol. Her passion for food and drink really shines through within her work as her unique images are rich in texture and life, making what could be considered mundane into art.
Selling prints regularly, her unique and inspiring work largely centres around our love for food, drink and socialising. Jess’s work is going to be seen more and more around the city, with her recent mural at Bristol’s Wapping Wharf for Bristol Cheese being a huge success. It was great to meet Jess and chat more about the motivations behind the work she creates and her future plans too!
Photo by Alice Poole @alicepoole__
Hi Jess, could you tell us where it all began? When did you realise your passion for illustration and drawing could become a career, and what was your journey like to make this happen?
Since I was tiny I’ve always been creative and a storyteller amongst my friends and family. Growing up in Essex the jobs I saw people take were often the traditional route of retail / administration type work. It wasn’t until I was much older that I realised there was such a thing as an entrepreneur and I slowly gained the confidence to pursue this route.
Feedback I got growing up was that taking a creative path was quite a risky thing to do, but I knew in my gut that I had to follow a strong desire to be something between a designer and an artist. I went to study Illustration at Camberwell College of Art because I liked the relaxed atmosphere there and their reputation for crafts and social impact.
How do you start a commission? Could you talk a bit about your process as an Illustrator?
When somebody requests my services I normally arrange a meeting to gain some info about their requirements. I look at this as an opportunity to have a conversation and gather as much info as I can to understand what they want. I make lots of notes and then I go away and put together a quote. Once this is agreed I then go off and do a whole bunch of research - I find this bit so fun because often I get to learn loads about a specific thing. This is when I start the design process and put together a proposal which often comprises different elements such as a mood board, sketches and mock-ups. Once I know the client is happy with my ideas, I develop the design. I then add any finishing touches and deliver the work to the client.
View Jess's commission process here.
It’s such a lengthy process that you have clearly mastered over time. Do you often work from your studio? Where do you find most inspiration when working?
I suppose it depends on what I’m working on. I have a space in Jamaica Street Studios where I find it easiest to get messy and creative with paint, pens and drawing on my IPad. At home I also have a set up but it’s much smaller so I prefer to do admin stuff at home. If I’m writing something like a proposal, blog or social captions I like to be out and about - either in a cafe or restaurant or just sitting on a park bench. I try to fit in at least an hour of outdoor time (walking or cycling) throughout the day otherwise I feel a bit cooped up.
It’s interesting you say you work in cafes and restaurants a lot. Your work seems to have such a passion for communal spaces like this. Do you feel it's important to bring art to these spaces?
I’m really passionate about human connection. My bookshelf is full of writers who focus on community like Johann Hari, Lisa McKenzie, Vivek Murthy and John Steinbeck. I think a lot of our problems and worries can be solved just by having a really meaningful conversation in a space where it’s comfortable to do so. My illustrations come from the starting point of having an in-depth conversation with someone, and fully understanding their story as best I can. This is why I’m such a lover of pubs, cafes and restaurants. They give us the space to communicate with others in a public place. Great art and design sends a powerful message. It can enable these places to function at their best, bringing people together from all walks of life.
I totally agree. How does living in Bristol affect your work and inspire you?
My move to Bristol was a little bit random but it seems like it was always on the cards. I was born in the West Country but my family moved back to Essex when I was tiny. While I was studying at Camberwell I met my partner who grew up near Bruton in Somerset. We spent a lot of time down here and whenever I visited the Mendips, Stourhead and Bristol I always felt something pulling me back to this part of the country. I love being near the countryside but with all the buzz of a city. I like learning about local history, exploring by riding my bike and going for really long walks, especially when it’s sunny. I chose Bristol because it made sense at the time but now I’ve fallen in love and I think it will take a lot for me to leave!
How do you identify the work that’s right for you? How do you keep your work authentic to what you want to make and say?
I think it’s really important to continue personal projects alongside client work so that you attract more of the work you want to make. Every month I mark off days for my own personal work. It sometimes feels self indulgent but the time you put in always pays off in the end. It’s a way of showing your skills and potential to future clients, and as a bonus you can still use this work in your portfolio, newsletter or sell it as merchandise.
You can see some really clear influences in your work. Are there any artists that always influence your work?
Growing up I’ve had a few artists / designers that really inspired me, Andy Warhol, Lucinda Rogers, Jessica Walsh and Ai Weiwei to name only a handful. My senior lecturer at university started the most inspiring conversations about art & science. Many of my tutors at Camberwell encouraged my passion for anthropology and reportage illustration. I had a few fantastic mentors over lockdown and beyond who have truly believed in me and got me through points when I felt completely stuck. My friends and family are all super inspiring too, they are my cheerleaders!
Yes totally, friends and family can often be a great support system. How do you stay motivated to create the work you do? Is it always creatively fulfilling?
Sometimes I wake up and I’m just really not in the mood to create, and that’s ok! I’m trying to learn the art of rest. The things that energise me when I hit a patch like this are visiting a friend or spending some time in nature, or even snuggled up in bed. I think as a freelancer you just have to realise that it’s ok to take a break when you need one. When I’m feeling like this, I normally work over the weekend or late into the evening anyway! It’s a super power to not have to work to a strict schedule but I still do (wrongly!) beat myself up about this.
You’ve started hosting some workshops throughout Bristol. How has this helped your practice and do you want to do more of these in the future?
Yes! Creative Club (my new series of workshops) is held every last Wednesday of the month at Totterdown's Star & Dove. The workshops are open to anyone and everyone who wants to learn about seasonal veg and make a lovely A3 paper cut illustration for their wall. I run the workshops in a similar way to how I make my own illustrations. I start with drawing techniques, then I get people to create different textures on loose paper and they cut these out to form still life shapes. I like to keep my workshops informal and relaxed - so I encourage people to grab a drink of their choice and get comfy. It’s a lovely way to get creative, unwind and socialise!
You can purchase tickets for Jess’s workshops here.
That sounds amazing! What are you working on at the moment? Any plans for the year ahead?
I’m super excited to be helping out at Upfest on the 28th May (Bedminster’s Street Art Festival) and Jamaica Street Studios are hosting their infamous Open Studios Weekend 8th-10th July (not to be missed!). I often wish there were more weeks in the year as I want to do so many things! I’d love to take time to apply for some grants and competitions, maybe get a position as an in-house designer or be listed with an agency! I certainly want to do more murals and interior projects, plus I’m working on ways to bring my illustrations to life through moving image. Career aside, I’d like to stay healthy, spend even more time outdoors and go on an adventure somewhere sunny. My journey to a creative career has been long (it’s still ongoing) and I couldn’t have done it without some solid advice from experienced people around me. In the future I’d love to mentor other young people who are looking to get into the creative sector.
You can check out more of Jess’s amazing work here.
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