Today we’d like to introduce you to Elle Jenkins.
Hi Elle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
It all started with my love of photography stemming in high school (2005-2009). My mom bought me my first camera for Christmas when I was a teenager and I fell in love with the way I could make a photo feel authentic. And feel like me. I spent hour of my free time looking at different photographers and even doing my senior project on photography! Ever since then, I have been trying to use different mediums that feel like home to me. Cyanotypes is what made everything click for me. Ever since I started in 2016, it’s been a love of mine. It’s pure magic when the chemicals touch paper, all the way to developing the photo. I had a very tragic passing of my twin brother pass in February this year, he always loved my work and really enjoyed that I was doing what I wanted and knowing who I am as a person. I think that’s also what helps me, is that I know who I am and most people aren’t able to figure that out for themselves. I strive every day to make something meaningful or something silly that I can laugh at later. I enjoy this life of mine and am thankful that I get to be alive and make art.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
“The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” – Molière
This year particularly has not been a smooth road for me. In fact, I’ve become a whole different person, and that shows up in my work. I think I like to be more playful now with a sense of childlike wonder in my art. Because with losing my twin brother, I lost my childhood in a way. I wanted to gain those memories back by making plushies or fun items like ornaments for the holidays. The holidays were always a special time for me and my family. It was when we were all together.
I cherish the hard times that come with being an artist because it makes me really push to be better at my practice and work hard also for myself to prove that I can make something greater than myself. I want to always be challenged. I love to stay motivated and often don’t have a hard time doing so, and I am grateful for that. Also, as someone with autism and ADHD, it is absolutely hard to fit in sometimes as an artist and also in life. But I have made friends with my disabilities and choose to use them in a positive way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in Photography, Cyanortypes, Marbling, and Eco dying. I’m most known for my Cyanotypes, which are an integral part of my business. The Prussian Blue color that you get from the Cyanotype is so calming, I often have people buy my work solely because it relaxes them in some way or other! I think I am most proud of how far I’ve come. I have so many friends who support me, and also, I have regular customers now! So cool to me. I don’t know where I would be today if I had let my grief take over me and just sit in bed and think about how I want to be doing something with my life. I am thankful I got the push from friends and the continued support from people at markets. It truly has made me feel most alive.
I think what sets me apart from others is I truly know how to connect with people. I love talking to every single person who wants to talk to me about my art or my process. I go the extra mile for customers and always want to make sure I leave them better than I found them.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I have always been my biggest supporter and I taught myself everything I know at a young age. I have only gained more skills since then and really pride in my Cyanotypes and how well I have been doing with learning different ways to create them or make them a part of home decor etc.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/baptism.distro
