5 Questions With Jahna Vashti
iCanvas artist Jahna Vashti paints animals and creatures in charming settings. Often illustrating friendships between woodland critters, she creates whimsical worlds that seem straight from storybooks.
Based in Portland, Oregon, she credits her imagination as a guiding force for her creativity, seeing magic and stories in every object since childhood. Now translating this energy into her work, her imagination shines through in the form of lovable, quirky characters and enchanting moments. The silly dynamics and fun among friends creates a lighthearted vibe that often provokes a smile. “With all of the positive and negative [in the world], it seems that the joy is always what finds its way to my canvas.”
We’re proud to offer Jahna Vashti’s work on iCanvas, and wanted to take a minute to introduce you to the human behind the art.
Keep reading to get a taste of what inspires her work, the style of music she creates to, and other artists she appreciates. You might be surprised to learn what you have in common!
Who are 5 of your current favorite artists, living or dead?
Remedios Varo, Marc Chagall, Hilma af Klint, Gustav Klimt & Tripper Dungan.
“La llamada (The Call)” by Remedios Varo 
“The Fiddler” by Marc Chagall 
“Svanen, 1914” by Hilma af Klint 
“Tree Of Life” by Gustav Klimt 
“Clouds” by Tripper Dungan
What band or musician would you listen to while creating your art?
That’s a really hard question, I love music more than anything. The first name to pop into my head at this moment is Justin Vernon. I love everything he does, all his collabs – everything.
If you could master any other form of creative expression, what would it be?
Songwriting/music.
What is one person, one place, and one object that inspires you?
I wouldn’t know how to begin to narrow it down to a singular thing. I can say that just being alive in this world with all these feelings that spring from what I see and hear is overwhelming for the inspiration…If I am forced to choose though, I’d go with music and the seasons. I cannot choose a favorite season, each one blows my mind every time – as if I’ve never experienced them before. My lifetime will never be long enough to complete all of my painting ideas born from the seasons, or from music for that matter. Anything from classical, folk to hip-hop sparks me!
What is something about you that others may be surprised to learn?
I get really nervous when people ask what my inspiration is. It makes me want to hide.
