The R2-KT Artists Month rolls on into July after a successful June, giving artists the chance to show off their work to a wider audience during these difficult times. Every day through out June, R2-KT focused on a talented artist of the galaxy, and now that continues into July with today’s artist of the day, Jenn DePaola.
What drew you to illustrating Star Wars?
“When people ask me what draws me to illustrate Star Wars, the simple answer is “It’s my life!”
I’ve grown up in a world where Star Wars has always existed. Some of my earliest memories are playing with the original Kenner action figures with my older brother and his Death Star trash compactor playset. Or spending hours playing with and reading the pop-up books and listening to the read-along 45 record storybooks and more. Star Wars was a constant throughout my childhood. That love of Star Wars continued with meeting my husband, Paul. Our first date was The Phantom Menace. We’re still together years later, still into Star Wars and loving it.
The Star Wars Saga holds a special place in my heart and always will. It has helped shape the person that I have become and am still becoming. So, when it comes to drawing, my mind and heart naturally gravitate to Star Wars and that keeps me inspired to keep creating.”
What are some of your favorite pieces to illustrate?
“When I think of Star Wars, I instantly think of Princess Leia. As a young girl, she projected leadership. A no-nonsense attitude that took command of the situation, whatever it may be. It was a pretty big departure from what I had seen in other films and stories and how women were depicted. That played a huge part in my adolescence. Fast forward several decades, and it’s still those female characters that don’t hesitate to take the lead that really calls to me. Aside from Leia, now General – though she’ll always be Royalty; There’s also Ahsoka Tano, Hera Syndulla, Sabine Wren, Jyn Erso, and of course, Rey Skywalker. They have fears, they have doubts, but they still show up and face difficulties. They still try. And I think that’s one of the most endearing qualities of the characters of Star Wars. They face great adversity, but they still try. They still continue on in the name of hope. And I love illustrating characters that have that type of personality or character arc. That, to me, is what a great story with great characters gives its audience… Hope.”
Websites, Links, and Merch
Website: jenndepaola.com
Email: jenn@jenndepaola.com
Patreon: patreon.com/jenndepaolaart
Instagram: @jenndepaolaart – instagram.com/jenndepaolaart
Twitter: @JennDePaola – twitter.com/JennDePaola
Facebook: facebook.com/JennDePaolaArt
TeePublic (t-shirts & more): teepublic.com/user/JennDePaolaArt
INPrnt (art prints): inprnt.com/gallery/jenndepaolaart
- Hardcover Book
- Dickinson, Seth (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 576 Pages - 11/10/2020 (Publication Date) - Random House Worlds (Publisher)
