Conversations with Jennifer Willoughby

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Willoughby.

Hi Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
First off, I’d like to share a little something about my family and upbringing. I was born in Denver Colorado in 1962 and have lived here all my life. It is strange and somewhat uncomfortable for me to talk about my past publicly, although I think it might be helpful to those who have family members, or who themselves, struggle with mental illness.

I’ve lived for more than 60 years and my perspective on life might be unique due to the unconventional nature of my childhood and adolescence. I grew up in the 60s and 70s which was a tumultuous time as it was, combined with the fact that my mother struggled with Paranoid Schizophrenia made the rabbit hole deep and dark. Anyone familiar with the book by Augusten Burroughs, Running With Scissors, can be sure that It’s as close to what I experienced growing up as any portrayal I’ve found.

In the film and book, a somewhat anaquious teen finds himself shuffled around and displaced due to the instability of his mother and only available parent. A dark sense of humor is present in this depiction and my experience was often very similar.

My Mother and Father divorced when I was six years old and upon my mom’s announcement that there was no Santa Clause, that daddy was leaving for good, and we were all going on a road trip to Disney Land, my little mind was blown and my childhood turned into a world where the traditional roles were reversed and I had to take care of Mommy.

In the early days of weekly visitation, when my father managed to show up, I remember one visit when he broke down and cried saying goodbye. That was probably the only time I remember witnessing emotion from dad. When he walked me up to the door to drop me off, it was locked and when we knocked, there was no answer. I was a small six-year-old and it was easy to push me through the kitchen window.

On the other side of that glass, I found the house dark, and as I entered what was my parent’s bedroom, I was frightened to find my mom in bed holding a gun. After running to the front door to let my dad in, my memories of that day end. To be sure, there would be many similar days in my future, and thus the catalyst for my PTSD.

When you are young, you are lucky if you have people around you who want to give love and support. Those people were not easily found, but I learned to recognize the ones I could trust. I guess you could call me a highly sensitive person, some even say I’m an empath. There is a cost attached to feeling intensely and taking so much in.

I struggle with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. After many years of reflection I have discovered about my creativity. Art allows me to manifest my feelings in a physical form. The process is the creation of something tangible to validate that I exist. I was fortunate to be able to do what I love every day, as a way to survive and thrive. That’s how I became an artist and creative person.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It depends on how you look at it. I’ve faced challenges as most people do. I have had to adapt and redirect my energies to push myself to do more than I ever thought possible. I was a single parent and I remember being a full-time student, teaching full time, and being a good parent for my son. That wasn’t easy but I was young and had my health.

I managed to compartmentalize my life and be fulling in each moment. When I was in class either teaching or learning, I tried not to let it spill into the time that I had with my son. I’ve got to be honest here, one of the obstacles I think many women face is the double standard experienced in the workplace. I was teaching some technical classes and often experienced pushback from my male peers.

Sometimes I was just outright ignored, and I found my louder voice. Of course, when women are assertive, often they are labeled aggressive. Oh well, in hindsight, I think it pays to be persistent.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My LinkedIn encapsulates my career, but to summarize, I do remember the first time I felt guilty for getting paid to do something loved! I was a little terrified at the thought that I could never again settle for the “it’s just a job” mentality. I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had throughout my career.

I began my career as a graphic designer in the mid-’80s and learned to work with rubylith, chart packs, Stat cameras, and typesetters. My first introduction to digital was almost a decade later working with PageMaker & Corel Draw. I soon discovered the Adobe Suit and that rocked my world! Everything was very different from then on, much better! I feel lucky to have had that experience and perspective.

For most of my professional career, I was elbow-deep in the technical aspects of design and production. As an instructor of Electronic Prepress, my focus was on the standards and practices of the industry. Now that I’m retired and I can explore my creativity with relatively no rules, I throw in everything I’ve got and let it simmer. One thing that I believe has definitely set me apart professionally is that I’ve always had the ability to be both analytical and creative at will. Both a right and left hemisphere approach that makes me a bit of an anomaly, I have found it to be definitely an advantage.

My life partner and I live in Broomfield Colorado and enjoy taking road trips in our converted van to explore forgotten places throughout the US. We visit ghost towns and take lots of photos. We intend to preserve and portray the ephemeral nature of our environment.

I include many of the images I shoot in my digital art. We use a darkroom for the analog images to create alternative process prints. Recently I’ve incorporated AI and animation into the mix.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Don’t get in your way. Negative self-talk and self-doubt are obstacles of your own making. Create the things that give you joy and follow your bliss.

Yes, life can be hard at times, but I’ve seen my life and others, turn on a dime. Remember that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Don’t give up! You bought a ticket, so why not stay for the ending?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://willoucreative.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/willoughby_creative and https://instagram.com/willoughby_jennifer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenwillou2
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCPr46WRPXddUdawUcgdEFcQ
• Other: https://linktr.ee/JenniferWilloughby