A Chat with New Illustrator Jessica Martinello!

Get to know the lovely Jessica Martinello, Plum Pudding's newest illustrator!

Where do you live/work?

I live in Rossano Veneto, a small town in the countryside near Bassano del Grappa, with my cat Matita, my dog Speck and my family; I’m working in my own studio which is also my bedroom!

Jessica's studio

What do you like about working there?
I love working at home because I can decide how and when I feel like working. For creating you have to be inspired, which is something that doesn't happen every day or at any moment. I love to be a free person, even though it is not always so simple! I really appreciate the company of my pets and the view from my window!

The views from Jessica's window

How did you get into illustration?

I always loved drawing and art, but I didn't know that it could be a profession until I was 20. After the university in Venice, where I studied Art, I was so lucky to discover an Academy of Digital Arts in Florence, where I got in touch with illustration and animation as profession for the first time. In that moment I found my way, and there I met my second family with my teachers and friends.

What do you love most about being an illustrator?

I think that what I love most about being an illustrator is that my work is also my passion. To write stories and to paint makes me able to travel far away, without taking a step outside my studio (and wearing my pyjamas, if I want!)

How do you work – what are your techniques?

Usually I mix different techniques. The first step is the sketch, then I paint with watercolors. I complete my illustration digitally with my tablet, using Photoshop.

Do you have a favourite illustrator?

I have a lot of favourite illustrators! But at the top of my list are Chuck Groenink, Isabelle Arsenault, Jon Klassen, Oliver Jeffers, Benji Davies, Jenni Desmond, Conrad Roset and Marta Altés.

What or who are you most inspired by?

I'm inspired by what happens all around me every day, and by my adventures when I was a little girl! I'm inspired by many other illustrators and artists, by my cat and by books that I read. But when I'm not inspired at all, there is just one film that can help me: Big Fish (Tim Burton). It is a box full of imagination!

Meet Speck and Matita!

What do you like to do in your spare time when you’re not illustrating?

Read a lot and taking long walks into the nature. And I travel every time I have the possibility to do that!

What is your favourite thing to draw and why?

I love drawing animals! All kind of animals, but probably the animasl I love to draw the most are bears, cats and dogs! I love to simplify shapes and animals are really funny and expressive!

Do you have a particular favourite character that you’ve illustrated?

I don't know if he is my favourite, but there is one that I love and he is a kind of symbol for me: a little white bunny with a red backpack that arrived on the top of the moon!

And, I also love the little tiger that make me so lucky this year!

What are your three top tips for aspiring illustrators?

Well, I'm still an aspiring illustrator :) but…

First NEVER GIVE UP! There are days that you don't believe in yourself and in your abilities, I know, but every illustrator or artist has these bad days! Go on, tomorrow will be better!

The second tip is to be curious and look around you! Nature and every day life inspire you and help you with shapes, composition and colour palettes.

And the last one is to practice and practice with passion!

What were your favourite books when you were younger?

I used to love Alice in Wonderland for so many years!! I have a lot of differents editions of it. But when I was younger my favourite books probably were Harry Potter and Six Little Friends (a story by Peter Holeinone)- an illustrated edition. But I was also a fan of the horror series Goosebumps :)

What was the last book you read? What did you think?

I love reading! The last one was The Bronze Horseman  by Paulina Simons. It's a love story set in 1941, Leningrado. Absorbing, heart breaking and well-written. (I'm romantic!)! I recommend it!

What are your aspirations for the rest of 2018?

Next autumn 2 of my books will be published! One as illustrator, the other one as author!

So, my aspirations for the rest of 2018 are to have new projects to work on that could be published next year! I keep my fingers crossed!

What’s your ultimate dream?

I know that my ultimate dream is to live in front of the ocean, with someone I love.

During the day I would like to write my stories and illustrate them for publishers all over the world, and watch at the stars during the night.

Welcome to the Plum family, Jessica!