Freshly Laundered 016 / Jenny Tiffany

Jenny Tiffany is a freelance illustrator and designer living and working in Portland, OR. Her design style is whimsical, retro, minimalist, and happy. You can’t look at her work without smiling. Read on to learn more about Jenny and her inspirations away from the computer.

CB: You have a very distinctive style, kind of dreamy and retro, with a lot of soft colors that seem to be inspired by nature. Where does this aesthetic come from? What inspires you to create this way?

JT: I’m absolutely in love and inspired by mid century design, colors, and aesthetic. I love mixing and matching pastels and saturated colors and finding pairings that are exciting. I usually start a piece by putting shapes and colors together that I like. My favorite art has always been landscapes. The natural world is endlessly fascinating and inspiring so I usually end up representing some aspect of it. I just try to have fun and make something that I want to look at and then it’s great if other people like looking at it too!

CB: Seems like a lot of people like looking at what you make! How long have you been working in graphic design & Illustration?

JT: Thanks! I’ve been doing graphic design related work for the last 13 years. I’ve been drawing and creating art since I was a kid. During my high school and college years I would do paintings for fun or for commissions. I love making art in a digital format and I feel like it’s enabled me to really focus my career and find my true calling.

CB: That’s awesome! Is work enough of a creative outlet for you? Or do you have so many ideas you do other projects just for fun?

JT: Good question! Work is not enough of a creative outlet for me. I definitely wish there were more hours in everyday because I have a lot of other projects I’m doing or want to do! I love creating new art prints to sell in my own shops and I try to work on a graphic storybook I’m doing with my brother when I get the chance. I love playing music (guitar and bass) with friends or by myself whenever I can. I also love building things out of wood and have a bunch of projects and things around the house I’m always doing.

CB: sounds like you stay really busy! What do you do to relax and keep your imagination fresh?

JT: I love gardening and hanging out with my five bantam hens. It’s super relaxing watching the chickens go about their chicken business. They’re so funny and entertaining that they instantly put you in a good mood.

I also love to just veg out and watch TV or listen to records.

CB: I can only imagine how cute they are. Quick, top five TV shows!

JT: Hmmm, top five shows currently I would have to say Broad City, Bob’s Burgers, The Goldbergs, Parks and Rec, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. I have a soft spot for cheesy sitcoms and I’m not ashamed to say that I often find myself watching late night reruns of King of Queens.

CB: Anyone who doesn’t have a soft spot for cheesy sitcoms takes life too seriously. Top five records currently?

JT: It’s true, cheesy sitcoms are great! Top five records I’ve been listening to a lot lately would be Sun Structures - Temples, Bazaar - Wampire, Hi-Fi In Focus - Chet Atkins, Getz/Gilberto - Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto, and Big Band Bossa Nova - Enoch Light.

CB: Thanks for chatting with us, Jenny!

To learn more about Jenny’s work, check out her website, etsy shop, or follow her on twitter and instagram.