JEANYN CARO
Jeanyn Caro is an illustrator and surface designer based in Massachusetts. Inspired by what we consider home and our own personal histories, her work looks to validate the weight these places and ideas hold and how we carry them with us. During the day, she works as a surface designer at TJX Companies making prints and illustrations for children’s clothes. When she is not working, she is also interested in film, homes so old they need a plaque, the architecture of books, how they smell when they get old, handmade halloween costumes and what you were afraid of when you were five.
Instagram: @jeanyndraws
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ARTIST Q&A
Born: Fair Lawn, NJ
Currently lives: Malden, MA
Title of artwork: “Blanket Bun and her Ghoul Friends”
What’s it about? I originally created this piece as part of a 30 day drawing challenge in 2019 that ultimately left me with intense art burnout. It wasn’t until 2022 when I rediscovered these old sketches that I decided I was ready again and she deserved to be reworked into her own finished piece. That day’s challenge was “cape” and I believe in my original caption from that day I said, “the only cape is blanket cape,” and I stand by that.
Where is your favorite public art piece in the area? The statues of people scattered around Davis Square. I am a huge fan of knowing and honoring the history of the area you’re surrounded by. The older couple arm in arm in front of JP Licks I am particularly fond of.
Who is your favorite Boston-area artist to follow? Zachary Stern (@z.imaginarium) and Crystal Araiza (@squiggleteamsix)
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off? Haunting my own house, holding a pile of emotional support books and being warmed by a good coffee and my cat Greg
What was your top song for 2023? Confessions pt. 2 by Usher
Favorite place for food in the Allston/Brighton area? Shabu Zen
What have you learned about your creative practice in recent years? I am trying to remember how to make things that feel honest. Honest to myself and in a way that doesn’t have to be so serious or consumable all the time. Really, I’m trying to relearn the confidence I had as a girl in her room who created all the time simply because every idea felt too big and too good to let lie, even if it kind of wasn’t. I want to create things like her and for her.
What is a piece of advice you would give to your past self as a young artist? Everyone is figuring it out as they go along. There is no secret you are missing out on, it’s just a blind belief in themselves that you are entitled to as well! You’re worthy of the things that come your way. Also it is okay that you failed your drivers’ test, you used that slump to make your college portfolio and it worked out in the end.
What is your dream project to work on? My dream was always to work around books. I wrote and illustrated my first one when I was five and I would love the opportunity to work in the children’s and middle grade book worlds as an adult, for real!
