About Jessie Husband | Philadelphia Illustrator & Map Artist

A Little History, In Case You're Curious…

I've always been drawn to drawing (hehe).

Growing up, I spent hours creating imaginary characters and places, usually with music playing in the background. Music influenced everything I made, from the colors I chose to the mood of a piece. I started with acrylic painting and eventually found my way into screen printing.

In high school, I spent as much time as possible in the art room. I headed to Kutztown University with dreams of studying art, but the portfolio requirements intimidated me, so I ended up earning a degree in Video Production instead.

After college, I worked as a set dresser for live television at QVC in West Chester, PA. Outside of work, I kept creating—exhibiting paintings in galleries and at festivals around Philadelphia, hand-screen-printing T-shirts (I still have all the screens!), and getting involved in the local art scene. I even went back to school to take foundational art classes with the idea of eventually pursuing my MFA.

But life had other plans.

I built a career in creative project management, bought a house, got married, became a dog mom, and eventually a mom to an actual human. Somewhere along the way, drawing took a back seat for nearly a decade.

After some big life changes in 2013 (had a baby!), I started feeling the pull to create again. In July 2016, I finally picked up a pen, and drawing quickly became a way to slow down, clear my head, and reconnect with something I'd always loved.

I started sharing my work, launched jessiehusband.com, and slowly turned my love of drawing into a small business.

Today, I create colorful, detailed illustrated maps and music-inspired artwork celebrating the places we love, the songs that stay with us, and the little things that make life special.

I finally feel like I've found my groove, and I genuinely love what I do. Of course, I still have a few dream projects on my wish list—like designing concert posters for The Avett Brothers or Brandi Carlile (just putting that out into the universe!).

But at the end of the day, my biggest goal is simple: Whatever life throws my way, never stop drawing again.

— Jessie Husband