Name: Jennifer D. DePaola (Dee-pay-oh-la) - but most people just call me Jenn
Occupation: Digital Artist
Birthday: August 21st
Favorite Colors: Purple, Green, Black, and Blue
Favorite Book: It's a toss up between the Harry Potter series and the Southern Vampire Series (True Blood)
I grew up in Southwestern, Virginia which is where I currently reside with my husband, Paul, and our two wonderful yet crazy kitties, Rex & Cody. (Yes, they are named after Clones from Star Wars. lol And yes.... their collars are the right colors!)
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As for me... what can I really say? I'm a dork... a self-proclaimed "Geek-Girl" and proud of it! Fantasy and Science Fiction have always played a big role in my life, going all the way back to my childhood. I loved watching Neverending Story, Labyrinth, Legend, Star Wars, and anything else along those lines that I could get my hands on. :) Which I think some of that inspiration might show a bit in my artwork and the general themes seen throughout my gallery. ;) I have always been a very creative person... always drawing, painting, or coloring something. Although when I was introduced to digital and graphic art in High School... I absolutely fell in love with the 'new-fangled technology.' Of course that was several years ago, and since then things have changed quite a bit. But that hasn't stopped me at all... there's always something new and captivating to learn.
While I haven't had any formal training, I am constantly studying different art styles and techniques. I am what you would consider a "self-taught" artist. I learned to draw and paint through observation and pure trial and error, and of course practice... never forget practice. ;) I draw inspiration from everything around me, and also seeing the beautiful creations that other artists put out there for the world to see. It all fuels my passion for the arts, in addition to helping my artwork and style evolve as I continue to explore and try new things.
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In the past I drew/painted mainly faeries (fairies). Hence the name "faereality" - Although "fae" can also mean "from" in Scottish slang, aside from just describing those little winged creatures. ;) However, in the past few years, I've been leaning a bit further away from the world of the fae - and have expanded more on the themes and genres that enchanted me as a child. Star Wars being a big part of that. What girl in the late 70s/early 80s didn't want to be Princess Leia? lol Of course the onslaught of the Star Wars Prequels and The Clone Wars has helped... it opened the flood-gates and I haven't really looked back since.
The choice to change artistic direction from fae, to sci-fi & fantasy portraiture was a bold choice. But one that I feel was the right choice to make. I love drawing faeries and mermaids and all of that - but my true artistic strengths seem to lie more in portraiture and being able to capture the essence of someone. Whether it's a commission, "fan art", or something else entirely, I always enjoy drawing and painting. I'm always up for a challenge.
Looking back over the years though, I don't think that I ever really had a choice about what I was destined to be when I grew up. I've always loved art in just about every form, and just don't feel "whole" if I'm not creating something... the wheels are always turning. :)
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