Art + Audience Podcast: Episode 11 Summary

Title: Finding Your Creative Voice with Jenna Blackburn: Building a Cohesive Brand and Audience
Host: Stacie Bloomfield
Guest: Jenna Blackburn
Release Date: October 1, 2024

In Episode 11 of the Art + Audience podcast, host Stacie Bloomfield engages in an insightful conversation with Jenna Blackburn, an accomplished illustrator, surface designer, and educator based in Detroit, Michigan. This episode delves into the intricacies of building a cohesive brand, cultivating a loyal audience, and overcoming the fears associated with developing a unique creative voice.

1. Introduction to Jenna Blackburn and Her Artistic Journey

Jenna Blackburn opens up about her diverse background and the evolution of her career. Transitioning from a graphic designer and ballroom dancer to an illustrator and surface designer, Jenna shares the challenges she faced in finding her unique artistic style.

[02:36] Jenna Blackburn: "As a graphic designer, you don't really develop a style. You're not really making art per se. You're making logos for companies… I didn't do hardly any illustration work during that time as a graphic designer."

Jenna reflects on the fear and self-doubt she encountered when shifting her focus to illustration and surface design, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in discovering one's artistic identity.

[03:15] Jenna Blackburn: "I had a lot of self-doubt and fear and things that I had to overcome. And now that I've kind of pushed through that, I love sharing those tips with other people."

2. Building an Audience: Strategies and Insights

The conversation transitions to the critical aspect of building an audience. Jenna recounts her initial struggles and the pivotal strategies that led to her success in growing a substantial following organically.

[05:40] Jenna Blackburn: "I made a free guide, and I was like, hey, sign up for my email list. You'll get this free guide. And I built my list up to about 4,500 people just organically, without running any ads."

Jenna emphasizes the significance of creating a lead magnet that resonates with the target audience. Her approach of offering a free guide on developing a signature style inadvertently attracted the right audience, showcasing the power of providing genuine value.

[07:10] Stacy Bloomfield: "Jenna, I know you… share it a lot. You just keep talking about it everywhere."

3. The Power of Consistent Communication

Stacie and Jenna discuss the common misconception that frequent promotion can overwhelm potential followers. Instead, they highlight that consistent communication is essential for audience growth.

[09:20] Stacy Bloomfield: "You have to keep talking about things. In fact, that's one of the biggest roadblocks… you have to ask for what you want."

[10:16] Jenna Blackburn: "If you're not talking about it so much that you feel like you're just talking about too much, you're not talking about it enough."

This segment underscores the necessity of persistence in marketing efforts and dispelling the fear of being overly promotional.

4. Crafting a Cohesive Brand: Tips and Techniques

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to understanding and implementing a cohesive brand strategy. Jenna shares actionable tips on maintaining consistency across social media platforms to attract both audiences and potential licensing partners.

[12:51] Jenna Blackburn: "Since I started planning out my posts on Instagram, it's really helped with the cohesiveness of my feed."

Jenna elaborates on the importance of a limited color palette and consistent drawing styles to create a visually appealing and recognizable brand.

[14:26] Stacy Bloomfield: "There are a lot of entrepreneurs… sometimes you do need to work within limitations."

[15:13] Jenna Blackburn: "Pick out five colored pencils… it’s actually, for me, the opposite. When the world is your oyster… it's actually more paralyzing."

5. Embracing Limitations for Creative Freedom

The discussion moves to how imposing creative limitations, such as a restricted color palette, can enhance artistic freedom rather than constrain it. Jenna shares her personal experience transitioning from digital art to using traditional mediums like crayons, highlighting how limitations can inspire creativity.

[15:13] Jenna Blackburn: "When you have all of those options, it's actually more paralyzing because you're like, what do I do?"

By setting specific boundaries, artists can streamline their creative process and produce work that is both consistent and distinctive.

6. Authenticity and Vulnerability in Audience Engagement

Both hosts agree on the importance of authentic communication. Jenna emphasizes being vulnerable about personal struggles, which fosters deeper connections with the audience.

[17:57] Jenna Blackburn: "I'm not afraid to talk about that… people really connect with that and they feel seen."

Stacie reinforces that sharing genuine experiences builds trust, leading to a more engaged and loyal audience.

[18:47] Stacy Bloomfield: "Connection builds trust. It builds an audience. And then whenever you go to share something or sell something, people actually care."

7. Conclusion and Parting Advice

As the episode wraps up, Jenna offers encouraging words to fellow artists, urging them to actively build their audiences without fear.

[19:26] Jenna Blackburn: "Don't be afraid to get out there and share about it."

Stacie concludes by reminding listeners of the value of authenticity and consistent effort in growing a successful art business.

Key Takeaways

• Find and Embrace Your Unique Style: Transitioning from client-focused work to personal art can be challenging, but it's essential for developing a distinct artistic voice.

• Consistent Communication is Crucial: Regularly promoting your work ensures visibility and attracts a dedicated audience.

• Limiting Creative Choices Can Enhance Creativity: Imposing boundaries, such as a specific color palette, can streamline your creative process and make your brand more recognizable.

• Authenticity Builds Trust: Sharing personal struggles and being genuine fosters deeper connections with your audience, leading to loyalty and support.

• Persistence Pays Off: Building an audience organically takes time and consistent effort, but it results in a more engaged and supportive community.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jenna Blackburn:

  • "[03:15]… I had a lot of self-doubt and fear… I love sharing those tips with other people."
  • "[05:40]… I built my list up to about 4,500 people just organically…"
  • "[15:13]… When you have all of those options, it's actually more paralyzing…"
  • "[17:57]… people really connect with that and they feel seen."

• Stacie Bloomfield:

  • "[07:10]… it's the best way to start."
  • "[09:20]… you have to ask for what you want."
  • "[14:26]… sometimes you do need to work within limitations."

Resources Mentioned

• Jenna Blackburn's Guide:
  Find Jenna's guide on developing your signature style at jennablackburn.com/style.

This episode of Art + Audience offers invaluable insights for artists seeking to build a cohesive brand and a loyal audience. Jenna Blackburn's experiences and strategies provide a roadmap for navigating the challenges of establishing a distinct artistic identity and effectively promoting one's work in a competitive landscape.