About me …
Drawing on experience and creating with joy.
Hi, I’m Jodi Whalen — an artist, illustrator, and joyful creator.
My work is rooted in curiosity, whimsy, and storytelling, inspired by the natural world, quiet observations, humor, and everyday wonder. I use a variety of mediums including digital illustration, hand lettering, and watercolors to bring ideas to life.
With a background in graphic design, I’m well versed in taking someone’s ideas and making them shine. I’ve illustrated books, designed posters and maps, merchandise, and logos. I’ve also done a lot of fun projects that are unique, like illustrating a family’s personal story, designing ‘practical joke’ artwork, and creating lovely home portraits.
In addition to working as an illustrator, 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 a small town called 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 fairy house dwellings perched on mushroom caps.
In the summer months, I spend a lot of time at my family’s camp on Stark Mountain in Vermont. There, I wander the woods and gather little treasures for fairy house workshops that I host locally.
I look forward to working with you. Please feel free to reach out with your ideas, however big or small. I’m here to help you make your creative dreams come true!
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