Jena Holliday Makes Dreamy Illustrations with Meaning

By Jillian Mitchell

Jena’s childhood love of art came full circle when she made a career leap from marketing to creating full-time. Spoonful of Faith blends storytelling, mentorship, and artwork to connect to a community of inspiration and support. 

With a lot of passion, talent, and belief, she grew a modest Etsy shop into a thriving Minnesota art studio. Now, this creative mama, illustrator, and author gets to dream big and spend her days crafting whimsical and uplifting designs. 

Get to know Jena and her woman-centered, encouraging pieces:

Tell us about your art + business! 

I am known for my warm, joyful drawings of women, mothers, floral work, and hand-lettered inspirational quotes. My work is inspired by growing up surrounded by women (four sisters!) and finding that the beauty of our differences always made us stronger. I also pull inspiration from the diversity of people in our world, honest motherhood, and my walk of faith.

What is the best part about creating?

I love that I can work from home and be around my family during the day. When they were younger, it was harder to work, but freedom and flexibility are a beautiful thing.

How do you stay inspired + avoid creative ruts?

For me, the best way to stay inspired is to rest. I still work on this continuously, but allowing more margin in my life allows me room to breathe and space to think of creative ideas. When I am too busy, my creativity usually halts. 

Favorite song(s) for boosting creativity?

Anything BEYONCE. Haha! She is definitely girl-power, and that helps, but I love her sister Solange even more. Her music is unique and not like others. I also enjoy Maverick City Music, which is a worship group. 

How does creativity bring goodness to your life?

Creativity is in all of us! It’s in the way we live, how we solve problems, how we parent our kids. It brings goodness in many ways, but one that I love is that it challenges us to think outside of the box. 

“Creativity is in all of us!”

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be an artist, but when I got to be a pre-teen, I doubted I could do it professionally. I went to school for marketing and worked in that area for quite a few years. It was a big change coming back to art. So many people didn’t even know I could draw! It was cool to see it come full circle. I took a chance and shared my work, and the rest is history.

What do people NOT know about what you do?

Hmm… I hope this comes across in my work, but I give 100% of myself to everything I create. If I can’t do that, then I don’t take it on. Also, I love to work with women and small businesses. I love bringing life to ideas that have lived so long in someone’s head that they think they’ll never get done. I love being the piece that can make that happen for them.

What made you decide to start making art?

When I became a mom, the desire to create came rushing back to me. I always loved DIY projects and creating with my hands. I’d fill notebooks with doodles and thought everybody did that! Motherhood brought out the fire to just go for it!

Where do you go when you need a break?

Outside for fresh air, to the coffee shop, the shower (lol!) anywhere I can get quiet, I can take a break.

Let’s be real, what’s the hardest or most frustrating thing about what you do?

Working for myself can be hard! Wearing all the hats is tough at times. I want to just focus on creating, but that’s not my current reality, and that’s okay! Also, working from home with kids is HARD. I have gotten better over the years, but I totally understand those who cannot do it. It’s not for everyone. 

Have you ever considered throwing in the towel? What stopped you?

Yes! More times than I can name. This is where your Why or Mission comes in to play. If it’s strong enough, it will help you hold on. My faith and my Why bring me through tough days. I create to share the light that is within me. I share to encourage and inspire others to do the same. 

My work is filled with people of different races and backgrounds to share a different narrative and story than what is often shared. I do this as a way to instill beauty, love, and change into our world. That is what keeps me pushing forward day after day.

Favorite way to celebrate a job well done? 

Ice cream! Or, a weekend with the hubs where we can rest and just be. Sometimes we move so fast that we don’t take time to celebrate. We should celebrate every victory! Big or small!

Follow along with Jena on Instagram at @aspoonfuloffaith and browse her incredible work on spoonfuloffaith.com!