San Francisco–based abstract artist Jaime Lovejoy creates paintings that echo the rhythms of nature—muted tones, organic lines, and layers that unfold like stories. Her process is intuitive and meditative, shaped by long walks outdoors and the ever-changing Northern California landscape.
From her early days experimenting with surrealist assignments in college to rediscovering painting after a 20-year career in marketing, Jaime’s journey has been one of patience, courage, and a return to what feels most true: creating art.
We sat down with Jaime to talk about her path to becoming a full-time artist, her inspirations, and the evolving narrative behind each of her works.
Photo Credit: Adahlia Cole
Your Story & Journey
How did your journey as a painter begin? Was there a specific moment, experience, or person that inspired you to pick up a brush?
I was always artistic as a child, drawing and painting, but it was in college that I found my way to abstract painting. There was a specific assignment that asked for a surrealist painting - I got lost in building the background with large strokes, movement and depth. I left the piece in an abstract state and have focused on that style ever since.
Was there a turning point when you knew painting would become your full-time career? What led you to take that leap?
I considered pursuing an art career when I graduated, but had to face the hard reality that I was shy and lacked the confidence to aggressively pursue the NYC gallery scene. And of course, I had to support myself! I made a promise that I would come back to my painting later in life. Fast forward 20 years and after a successful marketing career, I was ready for a change. I left my job and was considering what I wanted to do next – then covid hit. We relocated to Sebastopol, where I had a studio, and I was able to paint more frequently. Having access to the time and place to paint gave me the opportunity to explore what being a full-time artist could be like. My experience in PR and marketing helped me look at it objectively and take the leap. It was a big transition, it took me almost a year to find the confidence and comfort in saying “I am an artist” but there was never something more true.
Your Creative Process & Style
How would you describe your personal painting style? What makes your approach distinct from others?
My style is highly intuitive - drawing on events and emotions that are present when I walk into the studio. Anchored in a state of meditation, echoes of nostalgia, self-reflection, and aspiration transition into clear colors and shapes - setting the framework for my abstract paintings.
The paintings consist of several layers of heavily watered down acrylics, applied over days and weeks. Each day I am bringing something new to the piece, creating an ever-evolving narrative throughout the process. They are meant to bridge a shared perspective with the viewer, pulling on their own raw emotions and memories in reaction to the rhythmic movement, organic lines, and muted color palette. It’s always interesting to see how people react to each piece and what draws them in.
Can you walk us through your creative process? From initial inspiration to the final brushstroke, what goes into creating your artwork?
Being in nature has always been the foundation of my work. I love to walk, hike, and take pictures of interesting shapes and colors I find throughout the landscape. More importantly, it clears my head and creates a sense of calm which is the most important in fueling my creativity.
From there, I tend to do some rough sketches just to think through composition and play around with shapes. Because my medium can be so volatile, I can’t rely on what I sketch to become reality. It’s really more a source of thinking through ideas.
Then comes the color, which I think is the most important aspect of my painting - thinking through combinations, mixing the colors to get the right shade and creating varying tones of those colors. I work on the floor and on multiple pieces at a time. The paintings inform one another as I work through each one - bouncing between them. Some come more quickly, others can take weeks of sitting in my studio staring at them. I have realized I need as much time (or more) staring and contemplating a piece than actually painting it.
Your Work & Inspiration
Are there certain subjects, themes, or colors you find yourself returning to in your work? Why do they resonate with you?
I love a muted color series, it feels grounding and calm, something I strive for in my art. I am often balancing movement with opaque layers to give a serene vibe that makes a statement but doesn’t overwhelm. I often think about where the pieces will live in homes, what I would want over my couch as I sink in with my family.
For me, I often come back to the warm tones of yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titan mars pale and all the browns mixed in varying degrees. Dark green is my favorite color but it can be harder to work with in the thinned paint. The collection at Saffron & Poe, dug into that green mixed with the rust undertones of the sienna, a unique direction for me.
What do you do when inspiration isn’t flowing? Any personal techniques or habits that help reignite your creativity?
Walking in nature is a starting point for creativity and clearing my head. I also need a clean, clutter free studio - it's amazing what a clean up will do.
That being said, when I am feeling stuck, the best thing to do is work, try something new and unexpected. Last year, I “messed up” a commission I was working on so I used it as a tester to explore a new direction and it had a major impact on the new work I was producing.
Life in Northern California & Beyond
Being based in the Bay Area, you’re surrounded by stunning scenery. Are there any local spots that particularly inspire your work?
We are so lucky to live here and all the beautiful spots to explore. Sebastopol has been a major inspiration for my work. It was where my first studio was, plopped in the middle of a forest, and the changing landscape had a major impact on my color selections. The summer was all wheats, browns and neutrals from the dried land. Winter was more colorful with the early vibrant sunsets.
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects, exhibitions, or creative directions you're excited about?
Yes, in fact, my big annual pop-up gallery is coming up in October. Originated in 2021, the pop-up Gallery is an annual month-long art show showcasing female identifying artists from the Bay Area. This year’s exhibit will feature work from myself, Jaime Lovejoy, Erin Hupp, Hannah Franco, Taylor Smalls, Ayca Kilicoglu, Jessie Laura & Sasi Kladpetch. More details on the show, events and artists can be found at www.oxidecollective.com.
