We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jenny Lin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jenny, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
As someone who is a jack-of-many-trades but not really a master of many of them, my many hobbies help fuel my creativity. Whether it’s rock-climbing, playing music, or dancing, I find variety offers me more of life.
For example, I am also an avid rock climbing. I love challenging myself. Climbing is a puzzle; it challenges me physically and mentally. It lets me be in nature and see the world in a different way. One way for me to share my experiences and passions is to create. Creating and crafting is my creative outlet. whether it be a painting, illustration, or clay work. I am also very passionate about space and science, so I show my love for in my art and creations.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Moon&June Studio is St. Louis-based. Immigrating to the U.S. at a young age, I quickly found my passion to create. The name “Moon&June” is derived from combining “Moon” for my love of all-things space and my birthname of “Jun”.
I am a graphic designer and illustrator by trade. From hula-hoops to complex medical analysis, I am an artist of various disciplines. I started a galactic-themed hula-hoop shop in 2018, as a creative outlet and a step into the world of branding.
Summer of 2020, I explored new interests and styles of creating to express my love of space. This exploration within my own creativity led to the rebranding of Moon&June Studio in 2022 and into what it is today.
I love attending events and sharing my work with others, especially events with a cause where I can donate to something that means a lot to me.
I do monthly launches on my website, very active on Instagram, and you can find me at some markets in the St. Louis area!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Passion is my strongest trait. If I wasn’t passionate about something, I knew I couldn’t do it at all. I love doing what I do.
The second quality is determination, which is fueled by things I’m passionate about. I knew I always wanted something to call my own. I set little goals and bigger goals to keep myself motivated.
Lastly, I think perseverance is so important. It’s okay to not do well. It’s okay to take breaks. I know that it’s okay to fail.
My Moon&June Studio journey wasn’t always easy. The hardest step is the first step.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Creative blocks are very real, especially when I’m working from home. Sometimes, I feel like creating; other times, I feel stuck sitting at my desk staring blankly out the window.
Hobbies are something that has helped me. I am a very active rock-climber, whether it’s travelling somewhere beautiful or going to the climbing walls at the gym. Music, listening to and playing, can also inspire me. Some other things that helps me break through a creative block is going out with friends and/exploring the city. There are so much beautiful things in this world to see and so many people to build connections with.
I hope everyone find ways to take a break to enjoy life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MoonandJune.shop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonjunestudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moonjunestudio
Image Credits
The portrait/headshot is taken by MaddieK.
