Inspired by nostalgia, Tenyka Jay creates colorful paintings and writes and illustrates children’s books. As a busy mom, she makes the time to create daily which has helped her evolved her work and skills.
How did you find yourself on an artist’s path? Always there? Lightbulb moment? Dragged kicking and screaming? Evolving?
I have always been creative however I decided to take things seriously and peruse an art career when I was on maternity leave with my second baby.
It was during Covid and my daughter who was three at the time was scared of the possums banging around in our roof at night. I decided to write her a story about the possums and set myself a challenge to illustrate the story as I was notorious for starting a project but never completing it in its entirety. So I did it!
Upon completion, I posted about it on my social media and had lots of friends and family expressing interest in buying a copy. That is when my lightbulb moment happened and I realised that this art gig could actually be a possibility. I then continued to write, illustrate and self publish four more children’s books and used the money I made from the books to invest in artist quality paints and supplies to help me get back into painting.
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When was the first time that you remember realizing that you are a creative person?
My childhood memories are all of me drawing and crafting. I was always drawing, crafting things out of empty cardboard boxes, colouring in and entering colouring competitions.
I remember my mum always asking me to pick up/pack away my art stuff as it was always all over the house. Funnily enough I’m now saying the same thing to my daughter.
Where do you find your inspiration for your designs?
Nostalgia is where I find my inspiration for my work. I’m constantly searching Facebook Marketplace and local op shops looking for vintage finds to use in my still life reference photos.
Do you plan your work out ahead of time, or do you just dive in with your materials and start playing?
Yes I love having a my ideas for future works planned out. I have a list in my notes app on my phone where I write down any and all of my ideas when they pop into my head so I don’t forget them.
Then when it’s time for the next project or to paint something to enter into a group show or a competition/prize I can refer to my list. I also photograph my still life composition ahead of time and have them in a folder on my phone so they are ready to go.
Is there an overarching theme that connects all of your work?
I would say nostalgia is the theme that connects all my work. I love the feeling that nostalgia evokes within me.
Describe your creative space.
My current creative space is a trestle table, set up in the kids bedroom as it has the best light in the house (and has access to the only air conditioner in the house so I can paint during the Brissy summer heat).
Do you use a sketchbook or journal? How does that help your work develop?
Yes I have multiple on the go at once. I have an Etchr watercolour sketchbook that I have in an Etchr satchel that is set up for urban sketching/plein air painting that I can just grab and go. I like to take it with me when we go on holidays and day adventures with my family or out to lunch or breakfast.
I have one I use for mapping out character development for my children’s books. I have one that I use for portrait practice. And I have one for doodling random things.
What plays in the background while you work? Silence? Music, audiobooks, podcasts, movies? If so, what kind?
I hate silence so there is always something on. I alternate between my Spotify playlists (an eclectic mix of anything ranging from Fleetwood Mac and Creedence Clearwater Revival to Ice Cube and Cypress Hill to Rammstein and Rob Zombie). I also love watching my comfort shows while painting (Real Housewives of New Jersey and Beverly Hills, Rock of Love and Charmed to name a few).
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
I start a new project as soon as I finish one. I only work on one at a time as I would end up with half-finished paintings if I worked on more than one at a time. My works are small so they don’t take too long to complete.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
The best piece of advice I’ve seen that changed it all for me was ‘Paint what you see, not what you know.’ When I read this something finally clicked and I saw a shift in my work. I remember the first piece I painted after seeing this quote. I painted a pair of Tiki mugs with cocktail umbrellas and it was the most realistic thing I had ever painted.
How has your creativity evolved over the years? What triggered the evolution to new media/kinds of work/ways of working?
I would say the consistency of painting (or drawing/creating) on a daily basis has been a game changer for me. It has helped me evolve my skills.
Creating daily has also been so helpful for my anxiety. I notice that when I haven’t been creative in a few days that my anxiety tends to spike a little.
If you could live during a different artistic movement other than now, which one would you choose? Why?
Definitely the Rococo period because it is my favourite. After seeing my all time favourite painting François Boucher’s work GOMA for the European Masterpieces from the MET exhibition in person I fell in love with all things Rococo. I fell in love with all the details like the way he painted silver and gold, the pearls, the florals, the Cupids, the feather detail of the doves.
How do you think one can expand one’s creative mind and abilities?
I would say through practice and experimentation. Try new techniques, new products and supplies. I think that’s one thing I love about art is that there is always something new to discover and try.
What advice would you give aspiring artists? What lessons or insights do you have based on your own journey?
My advice based on my own experience would be to experiment. I tried a range of different mediums before I found the one that spoke to me which was oil painting. I tried watercolour, graphite, carving/printing and acrylic. My other piece of advice would be to invest in your art. Buy the artist/professional supplies. They really do make a difference.
Where can people see your work?
You can find me on Instagram at @tenykajayart (I’m also on Facebook and TikTok under the same username however I don’t post as frequently on there.)
My Links are: www.instagram.com/tenykajayart
TenykaJayArt – Etsy Australiaetsy.com
Tenyka Jayaspiregallery.com.au
Interview posted July 2024
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