Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Homen.
Hi Jenna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I first picked up a lettering brush in November 2016. I was living in San Francisco and signed up for a sign painting class at city college after growing curious about the trade. I had drawn and painted my entire life, but I was still searching for my artistic voice. Taking that class brought me the clarity I sought in my art practice—that sign painting was “it” for me.
Three years passed and my obsession was still running strong, while everything else I thought I knew in life crumbled. I had left a job I wasn’t passionate about, my longterm relationship ended, and I moved back in with my mom. I was incredibly lost, sad, and heartbroken, but deep down, there was this voice telling me to move to Los Angeles for the Sign Graphics program at LATTC. With a freelance job that earned just enough money for a tiny studio apartment and groceries, I made the move and enrolled.
I could go on and on about my time at LATTC, but in short, the program taught me how to be a sign painter and introduced me to some of the coolest people I know. I feel so fortunate to take the last semesters taught by Doc Guthrie, an incredible teacher, mentor, and artist who sadly passed this last September.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road, thanks to the pandemic. I was halfway through my time at LATTC when classes were canceled. I had no experience painting signs for businesses outside of school, but I needed to make some cash and build my portfolio. Restaurants hadn’t quite figured out their COVID kitchen strategy and no one knew who was open, so I just started cold-DMing shops and offering to do window splashes to advertise if they were doing takeout. I got a few bites (forever thankful for Woon for taking a chance on me) and kept building off of that.
In general, so much of sign painting is figuring out stuff on the spot and problem-solving. It’s very rare that a job goes absolutely perfect. I learn something new every single time I pick up the brush, but also when I sit down to price out jobs and plan out workflows.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love taking elements of classic, traditional signs—bold gothic fonts, drop shadows, outlines—and modernizing it just slightly, whether through color choice or layout. If the client wants me to design the sign, I love to start out by hand-drawing the lettering. It just brings so much more character and life to the piece than using a font, and I find that I am much more creative and produce better work, even if it can take longer.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I feel so grateful to not only have found my passion but to be able to make a living off of it. Some people spend their entire life looking for that, and I really never thought I would figure it out. I never take it for granted. There’s this euphoric feeling when I’m out at a sign job and the rest of the world has fully melted away. It’s just me, my brush, paint, and pure bliss.
I love working with business owners, both big and small. I get to meet so many lovely people and collaborate on bringing their visions to life. It’s especially rewarding when it’s a new business getting ready to open for the first time—their energy is so fun and joyful to be around.
And of course, like all sign painters, I love driving around Los Angeles and seeing signs I painted everywhere. There’s just nothing like it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jennapaints.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna_paints/
Image Credits
Jon Manimtim Kevin DiOssi
