This week’s Selective Focus profile subject is Jordan Sundberg, an illustrator and designer with a deceptively simple style. She tells her story below.

JS: I work from penciled sketches that evolve into illustrations on the computer, using layers of textures and drawings. Really, in just the last four-ish years I’ve felt freer and more settled into a style of my own. Prior, I often labored under the Trend Monster, feeling obligated to create what people seemed to like. Much suffers under the thumb of the Trend Monster – at very the least, your soul.

“Portland Square,” digital illustration, 18×24. Created out of love for this little park (illustrated and printed pre-cutting down of 4th Street trees … consider this print a piece of history). Prints available for purchase.

I’ve been officially designing and illustrating for about 7 years after a move to Sweden fell through and I found myself unemployed, living in my parents’ basement. I still managed to marry a Sundberg, though, and snag a Swedish last name!

I am always challenged by the money portion of the work I do. Having to decide the value of my art requires a shrewd confidence I often lack. On the other hand, doing deadlined work for businesses, events, organizations and causes has placed a healthy structure on what can feel like loosey-goosey creativity for me – and has grown my ability to function as a decision maker and thinker, rather than just a feeler. Also, coming alongside people and organizations that I get to root for in a real way – by creating art that will hopefully share their message and cause well – that is very rewarding.

“Goat Hill,” digital illustration, 11×17. Created for COGGS, telling a bit of their exciting story and the trail work they are laying down, which will be increasingly accessible all throughout our city.
Prints available for purchase.

“Nordic Ski,” digital illustration, 11×17. Created for the good people at Marshall School and their annual Nordic Ski Sprints. Prints available for purchase.

Red Mug’s coffee punch card, digital illustration. Red Mug is a place where delicious food, drink, art and people all mingle. It’s been a pleasure to do some work for them.

Chum’s 2015 Rhubarb Festival shirt design, digital illustration. What a privilege to support that cool event and the good work of Chum!

Folks can see a sampling of my work at my website, tincupontheline.com, at my Facebook page, facebook.com/tincupdesign and can purchase prints and cards at etsy.com/shop/tincupdesign. You’ll also see my handiwork in the logos and / or marketing of a number of local businesses around town – the Snooty Fox, COGGS, Saffron and Grey, Bella Flora, Red Mug. And if you confiscated my parents’ filing cabinet, you’ll find some awesome art, circa 1988, created with dryer lint.

One exciting project that is beginning to bubble to life is a children’s book in collaboration with a friend. It involves an old blind guy who likes to party and lives with some unruly dogs. Seems like a Newbery winner to me!