Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Macklin.
Hi Jay, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Growing up surrounded by creative people grew my passion greatly. Picking up art fundamentals at an early age was something I felt like I had to do to draw the things I wanted to. I remember being in 4th grade. My father was showing his method of how he sketches. I was maybe 8 or 9, so of course, I didn’t fully understand everything he was saying. He’ll ask, “understand?”, every 30 seconds, and I’ll nod, knowing that I didn’t. He grabbed one of my nearest books and sketched whatever was on the cover. In seconds, I could make out exactly what he was drawing, and I was dumbfounded by the quickness and the intention of each line. That taught me a lot, and I’m still using them till this day, but a more matured version of my younger work. However, if you ask me when I started becoming “good”, I’ll say 3 years ago. I didn’t start pursuing digital art until 2020, being stuck in the house with Adobe Photoshop and tons of ideas. In the beginning, there was a slight learning curve with it. To me, I find it more comfortable looking at what I’m drawing. Once I broke that barrier, there was nothing stopping me from drawing whatever came to mind.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There’s been some bumps here and there. I am my own worst critic, so sometimes I do hold myself back. Being on the internet seeing other artists make amazing art and comparing myself was the biggest hurdle I went through during COVID.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an illustrator, cover art designer, graphic artist & designer, editor. I’m known for my color choices and unique style of characters. I specialize in taking an idea that is brought to me and enhancing it. I like to ask my clients what made them choose this or why that to fully understand the concept. My main clients are musicians who are interested in covers, and usually those goes well since the idea is closely related to their music. My proudest art has to be my covers with my main collaborator, Unkwnthefaux. We’ve worked together for 3 years and there’s a noticeable difference and improvements with the ideas and styles I come with.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I have an art page on instagram with the name Jxypegart. I post art, ideas, and WIPs for later projects. My DMs are open or you can email me: Jaypegi18@gmail.com.
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