The Unexpected Event That Sparked Jo Situ Allen’s Career
“You just can't ‘not do’ what you were born to do — and I was born to draw, paint, and create.”
Source: Instagram
Jo Situ Allen is an artist, naturalist, and designer.
What was the Lightbulb Moment that inspired you to fully dive into what you do?
I think that my love for art was always there. My father is a pretty well respected painter and I grew up in a very creative home. There were also hardships when I was growing up that made me want to run away from being an artist, which is why I ended up getting a degree in Geography/Environmental Studies even though I had been working on a comic book series under the name DIRTY ERASER starting in 2001.
My lightbulb moment happened in 2015 when I had a huge panic attack after a couple years of postpartum depression from giving birth to my two girls. I realized then that creating was essential to my spiritual and emotional well-being. You just can't "not do" what you were born to do — and I was born to draw, paint, and create. I committed then to creating something every single day, and and since those early days I have been fortunate to work with amazing brands and people.
What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned in your current career?
I think I'm always surprised by how many people respond to the energy and vibration behind my artwork.
What often sparks your creativity or gets you into the creative zone?
I have to have my on music for sure, then light a candle and lock the door to my studio. But as a mother of two young kids I always have to be able to go with the flow and work wherever and whenever I can. That sense of urgency is actually helpful for creating (it's kind of like procrastinating and writing that kickass essay at the last minute!). I try to just go with the flow and when I'm not feeling creative I'll watch a really moving film or handle the administrative side of my business, like invoicing, accounting, and website managing.
What is your unfiltered advice for anyone looking to break into your industry?
Just get in touch with your creativity everyday, whether it's drawing, dancing, singing, watching a really gorgeous film, listening to music, or putting together a rad outfit. Just keep feeding that creative fire — even if you don't feel like working that day.
Oct 14, 2020
By Ashley Tibbits