We at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop want to celebrate our visual arts friends this summer with a peek into their work or studio spaces on Instagram. We are curious about the spaces and rituals that give rise to creation. Do folks leave home to go work in a studio, or clear a corner of the kitchen table? Is the creative space a physical one, or perhaps a set of tools that signal it’s time to make art. Read the full length features and follow us on Instagram @chawindc to meet and learn about some of our favorite, local artists.

This week we’re featuring Jenna Jablonski. 

1. In a few sentences introduce yourself.

I’m Jenna, a CHAW student and keeper of the top-secret list of most pet-able dogs on Capitol Hill. I’m interested in using creative media for social justice, and I started a business for using storytelling to promote making STEM fields more inclusive. My dream is to become a multi-creative entrepreneur and unleash some of the many ideas dancing around in my brain.

2. Briefly describe your work and/or artistic process.

I’ve been interested in drawing figures from an early age, starting with the “sausage people” my dad drew with me (an upgrade from stick figures, with more realistic proportions). In adulthood, my art practice was sporadic until I joined Ellen Cornett’s life drawing class at CHAW in 2015. I began attending drop-in figure drawing as well, and since then, have been on a long quest to learn how to capture the essence of my subjects (and figure out how to use my art supplies). I’m very interested in taking my art practice outside the walls and Zooms of CHAW, where it mostly exists now, including trying new mediums and exploring using art for social justice movements.

3. What is your favorite art supply at the moment?

A fun art supply in my stash at the moment is a giant box of crayons. I got them as an antidote to creative block, and to see if they would inspire the same playful, child-like creativity they used to. Good news: they do! They’re now my favored medium for short gesture poses, which become a colorful juxtaposition of figures in motion.

Pre-pandemic, my favorite thing was when a pose from Ellen’s life drawing class was continued the next evening at open drawing. This drawing is the result of one of those rare two-session opportunities. For me, the extra time makes a big difference in developing the drawing.

When Ellen’s life drawing class went remote, we began focusing on portraits instead of the entire figure. It’s been a very fun change.

4. Tell us a little bit about your “studio”

“Inside the studio” has a different meaning when you live in a studio apartment! I currently create in this corner, which is also my desk for work. I also take my drawing board and a big basket of supplies along with me to the park and to the various places from which I’ve worked remotely during the pandemic. I dream of having a dedicated art spot someday with a huge table and lots of green views.

Follow Jenna and her artwork on Instagram at @jjennadraws