Whimsy on the Go

World traveler artists Sunny Jenkins always packs a little sunshine

Since she could hold a pencil, Sunny has been using her hands for good. She clearly remembers realizing at 12 that a career in drawing was possible, and the rest, as they say, is history. Ever since then, Sunny has dedicated her time and energy to creating art that truly captivates the mind at first glance. Soon, she earned her bachelor’s degree in illustration and has continued to dive headfirst into every opportunity to work with her craft. Today, she works in both digital and physical mediums, using acrylic paints, colored pencils, and other materials in her pieces.

A while back, Sunny earned her sea legs in what is probably one of the coolest jobs imaginable. Out on the wide-open ocean, she works as an international art dealer, helping cruise ship passengers find the artwork of their dreams. It is on these adventures around the world that she finds inspiration for her own incredible pieces. When she’s on board, she is always sketching. When she puts her feet back on dry land, she takes in the new environment around her and translates it onto paper. Of course, it isn’t just nature that inspires her; it’s also the intricate architecture she encounters in her travels.

"Another travel collage"

The word magical is synonymous with Arkansas-based artist Sunny Jenkins’ artwork. Each piece is a brightly colored explosion of mystical wonder. Often psychedelic interpretations of nature, her works leave viewers feeling as though they’ve just woken up inside A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. Artwork focused on nature can sometimes feel subdued, often created to skillfully capture the fine details of a flower or document the tilt of a willow tree. But nature through Sunny’s eyes is far more enchanting. Her work pays homage to the delicate beauty of the natural world while simultaneously giving it a personality befitting the flowers and animals around us.

In addition to drawing inspiration from her time abroad, she also finds it in her hometown of Little Rock. It’s only fitting that an artist with such love and appreciation for flora and fauna be influenced by the Natural State. “I love incorporating natural flora and fauna from our area in my illustrations and in my murals as well,” she says. “If someone wants something nature-themed, I’m always thinking about what is local to this area.”

On February 21, Sunny will bring not only a selection of her delightful pieces to display at the gallery at The Loom: Interlinked, but also her signature whimsy in the form of $5 hand-drawn portraits. These aren’t your typical fairgrounds caricatures. The portraits Sunny creates celebrate the uniqueness of the person in front of her. “I’m proud to bring a lot of joy and whimsy to people’s likenesses,” she says when asked about her favorite part of creating them. For her, making art means spreading love, and this is one of the best ways she knows how to do it. Beyond the reactions, Sunny also relishes the opportunity to chat with her subjects as they sit for their portraits—the connection with patrons is often worth more than words can describe.

Looking to the future, Sunny is excited to foster more relationships with fellow artists, both at The Loom and at events beyond it. On the 27th of this month, she will head to Singapore to begin her next journey at sea. After that, she plans to continue pushing herself toward larger projects and exploring new mediums. She encourages others to keep creating.

If you’d like to see more of Sunny’s work or inquire about commissions, you can find her on Instagram at @the_plant_child.

"made this poster as a small way to speak out against the famine + genocide happening right now in Palestine."