About me …
Drawing on experience and creating with joy.
Hi, I’m Jodi Whalen — an artist, illustrator, and joyful maker in Vermont.
My work is rooted in curiosity and storytelling, inspired by the natural world, quiet moments, humor, and everyday wonder. I use a variety of mediums—digital illustration, hand lettering, nature-based crafts—to explore what it means to connect deeply with place, memory, and imagination.
With a background in graphic design, I know how to bring ideas to life—whether they’re mine or someone else’s. I’ve illustrated books, designed posters and maps, created commissioned portraits, and most recently, begun crafting whimsical fairy houses using foraged moss, bark, fungi, and tiny found objects. These playful sculptures bring together my love of scavenging, storytelling, and small-scale magic.
Before I transitioned to illustration and nature-based work, I spent years as a silk screen printmaker. Earlier still, I was hand-lettering signs for IKEA before the digital era, and working in creative marketing for Vermont’s Catamount and Magic Hat breweries. Throughout all these chapters, one thing has stayed constant: my love for creating meaningful, approachable art that makes people smile or pause.
I grew up in Gibraltar, Pennsylvania, surrounded by mountains and rivers that were my playground. My grandfather, a sign maker, taught me the power of layout, lettering, and handmade work. That early foundation continues to shape everything I do—from drawing scenes of everyday life to making tiny forest dwellings perched on mushroom caps.
Whether I’m foraging in the woods, drawing at my desk, or digging through a thrift store bin for a story waiting to be found, I’m always searching for small moments of magic—and ways to share them.
CV
JODI WHALEN / 802-578-7477 / JODIWHALEN@GMAIL.COM
ART-RELATED WORK HISTORY:
August First Bakery & Cafe / Owner / 2009-2022
In addition to operating the business and overseeing a staff of 22, I designed all marketing materials for August First, including logos, labels, stickers, t-shirts, totes, mugs, signage, advertisements, banners, etc.
Graphic Designer / Marketing Director / Champlain Housing Trust / 2008-2009
Designed all marketing materials for large non-profit housing organization, including annual reports, brochures, signs, posters, mailers.
Graphic Designer / Marketing Sourcing / Magic Hat Brewing / 2000-2002
Responsible for designing point of sale items including poster, coasters, and other merchandise.
Sweet Greetings / 1997-1999
While at home with my first child, I launched a business called Sweet Greetings. I designed custom labels for candy bars, to celebrate weddings, births, or other significant events. I taught myself how to use Illustrator and Photoshop in order to start this business.
Sign Maker / IKEA / 1988-1989
In the late 80’s, all of IKEA’s signs were made by hand. I was raised by my grandfather, who was a professional sign painter. I learned the skill from him, and worked as a freelancer in my teens. At IKEA, I made large signs by hand, using markers. The style is still used in their stores today, but created digitally, of course.
SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
BETWEEN BLOOMS / Solo Show / Frog Hollow Craft Gallery / September 2024
FAMILY TREE /Solo show / Main Street Landing / 2012
THE ART OF GIVING / Shelburne Farms / May 2011
BRIDGE: GROUP SHOW / Studio V / Vergennes VT / August 2010
MUDDY WATERS / Burlington, VT / April - May 2010
GROUP SHOW / Borough Gallery / Burlington, VT / July 2009
GALLERY V / Group Show / Vergennes, VT / August 2009
ARTS ALIVE / Juried Show / Burlington, VT / 2009
VERMONT WOMENS MAGAZINE / Comic Strip Feature / 2009-2010
FAUVE GALLERY / Group Show / St Albans VT / 2004