The Magnificent Works of Wilma Jean

Artist, Wilma Jean

I met the beautiful, inside and out, Wilma Jean from Atlanta, Georgia on Independent Fashion Bloggers.  She is an amazing artist and actually approached me to inquire about donating one of her images to The Compassion Fashion Project.  We are really compiling a wonderful collection of artwork for our t-shirt line and I want to share with you our newest contributing artist, Wilma Jean.

Here is Wilma Jean in a special interview below:

Q.  How long have you been an artist and how did you get started?

A.  I was surrounded by creative family members who though they didn't earn a living from their craft(s), I learned a lot from.  I have been making things and drawing my whole life.  It was only natural that I would take art and fashion courses both in high school and then in college.

She Speaks, By: Wilma Jean

Q.  You create these beautiful silhouette paintings.  What inspired you to create this type of aesthetic as your signature style?

A.  After college, I painted in pastels, but it became inconvenient after a while.  I was going long stretches without painting and I started doing black and whites using sharpies. I missed "painting". So I picked up acrylics and that style, I think, came from the blending of the two styles. When I first started making the silhouettes, I didn't know where it came from.   It was sort of pointed out to me after the fact.

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Q.  What are your favorite mediums to use in your artwork (oils, acrylics, canvas etc.)?

A.  Right now I really like to use acrylic on pre-stretched canvas.  It dries quickly enough, but in the meantime, I get to make a mess while mixing up the paint colors.

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Q.   I noticed you also have a line of jewelry.  Tell me about your process.

A.  My jewelry starts with an odd bead or something like that. Then I like to use cords or ribbons and metal chains sometimes to mix it up. (Blame my little sister for giving me that first piece of broken jewelry to fix.) 

"Down to Earth" necklace and earring set by Wilma Jean.

Q.  What advice would you give any aspiring artists?

A.  I would give them advice that I need to take myself: Never stop creating and surround yourself with creative people.

Q.  Give us a little personal information about yourself?

A.  Well, let's see... I'm a middle child of three girls, I'm married and we have a crazy little dog.

A whimsical piece by Wilma Jean, "Roses and Ribbons."

Q.   What are your future goals as an artist?

A.   My goal would be to earn a living entirely from my art. I would like to have more time to collaborate with lovely people like you, because I can sell prints of my art, create a series of kids books and just whatever opportunities find me.   

Q.   You are also a fashion blogger.  Tell us about your blog.

A.  The great thing about fashion blogging is that it is also creative. It's not just about outfit posts, but DIY ideas, shopping thrift and expressing oneself through fashion could be considered an art form.  I have some of that mixed in with the art. 

Q.  Who is your favorite artist and why?

A.  Do I have to name just one favorite artist? Okay, one of my favorites is Faith Ringgold. She made art quilts, which reminds me of my aunt who quilts and I learned that from her. The thing about Faith Ringgold, like so many women artists, is that she made a career out of a traditional woman's craft.  I'm sure someone told her that would not be possible, but she did it.

Q.  What made you want to donate your artwork to The Compassion Fashion Project?

A.  I really wanted to donate my artwork to The Fashion Compassion Project, because it would be a tangible way to help empower women.  I have known women who were suffering from domestic violence and I know that the best way for them to see a way out is if there are resources that can help. Thank you for allowing me to do my part, through my art.

Connect With Wilma Jean

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