Vena Carr is a Canadian mixed media illustrator based in Fredericton, NB. She is a Graphic Design graduate of the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design and now owns and operates her own business, Vena Carr Illustration, selling printed reproductions of her work and offering custom artwork to her clients. When she’s not focusing on her creative practice, Vena enjoys thrifting, playing video games, and exploring new places.

Childhood

My earliest memory is drawing with a ballpoint pen on an envelope I found in the back of my parents’ car when I was three years old. Hopefully that wasn’t anything important…

Like many artists, I have loved drawing and painting from an early age and always wanted to become a professional artist. But I also wanted to be a paleontologist! And a marine biologist… And a cryptozoologist. And a veterinarian… Which might explain the subject matter you see in my artwork today! I love painting dinosaurs, cryptids, and all kinds of creatures.

Education

I graduated from the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design with a Graphic Design diploma in 2017. After graduation, I took up watercolor painting. Although I would continue to work as a graphic designer for a couple more years, I found my true calling and eventually became a full-time artist and illustrator in the summer of 2019.

Early days

In the earlier days of my career as a professional artist, I was still trying to find my style and learn the skills I would need to find success. My style and subject matter were all over the place, and the quality of my art needed a lot of work. After a lot of persistence and studying, I got to where I am today, but I will probably always feel the need to keep on improving.

Inspiration

Outside of creating art, I love playing video games, watching cartoons, and collecting plushies and picture books. These things have all contributed greatly to the style and overall vibe of my artwork. I love design characters that are colourful and friendly!

Dessert Dino series

Like any kid, I loved dinosaurs, but the interest in dinosaurs never went away when I grew up. As an artist, I wanted to design characters based on dinosaurs. While flipping through an illustrated encyclopedia on prehistoric life, I had the thought that the plates on the back of a Stegosaurus look a lot like strawberry slices. That’s when I had the idea to create Stegoberry Shortcake, my very first Dessert Dino! She inspired me to continue with the series, and I have since designed dozens of Dessert Dino characters.

Current Projects and Achievements

I have had the pleasure of showcasing my work at several local art exhibitions. My art has been featured in various online art communities and publications. Recently, I was covered by CBC for my event Freddy Art Hunt that received rave reviews.

Artistic Philosophy

I believe in creating art that brings joy and a sense of wonder to people of all ages. My goal is to blend the whimsical with the familiar, creating pieces that spark imagination and evoke childhood nostalgia.