Meet Jason Meents | Illustrator/ Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jason Meents and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jason, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
Creating and sharing my work makes me happy because I enjoy sharing and expressing my ideas and seeing people’s reactions. Spending time with my family also makes me really happy because I love them, and we laugh and experience new things together.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a pop culture based artist who puts a unique spin on characters by reimagining them as young kids. I call these child versions of the characters, “tykes”. I began exploring this idea of kid themed characters while creating decor for my expected daughter. She is 9 now and continues to be a driving force behind what I create and an inspiration to me daily. I began sharing my work on my social media when she was an infant and people seemed to like it. Things really took off for me when I entered in 2 online contests for “Red Sonja” and “Spawn” comic books. By placing in top 3 in each, my pieces were published in issues for each book and my fanbase really grew from there.

I would say it has been easy to build my brand of art but I did face a lot of challenges after in growning my brand and business from there. It has been a lot of trial and error. I worked very late nights to create new content while caring for my young daughter during the days. I began traveling to comic cons across the country to promote my work to reach fans and network for more work in the pop culture industry. That was difficult for me to be away from her during those times. Through those comic cons I was able to find work in a number of different areas of pop culture related projects though. I have done toy design, trading cards, apparel design, comic storage boxes, comic and book covers over the past few years.

I have learned a lot along the way in a lot of areas I had not expected when I began my career as an artist. I often tell people I would love to “just be an artist” but I have learned I have to also be the sales manager, the accountant, the customer service, the marketing director. There is a lot more that has gone into “being an artist” than simply drawing and creating artworks.

I am always considering my brand when I create work to share, design promotion materials or when considering different job offers. I have turned down several offers because I did not feel they fit with the vision and standards I have set for myself when it comes to my work. I have created a logo for my brand and connected with a bright green color that people often recognize and stand out. In doing so I have been able to establish myself as a well known artist with a unique and recognizeable style.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my best friend to multiple place in Colorado Springs. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to feed the giraffes, Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs Penny Arcade, Red Rocks Open Space, COATI, and all the local comic shops. I would definitely take them to eat at multiple taco trucks and drink horchata. I would introduce them to my local artist friends and get together to have drinks and draw.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my daughter and girlfriend for their support, encouragement, and inspiration.

Website: meentsillustrated.com

Instagram: @meentsillustrated

Facebook: facebook.com/meentsillustrated