Brooklyn Heights resident Jenny Vainisi is a designer and illustrator who for years has produced creative work for companies such as Simon & Schuster, Godiva Chocolatier, and Scholastic. More recently, though, she has employed her vibrant illustrations in a meaningful work of her own – a book titled “Embracing Your Life: A Guide for Appreciation and Gratitude.” The book includes several of Vainisi’s colorful designs, as well as numerous passages from renowned poets, writers, and philosophers.
Recognizing that stress and tension plague many individuals on a daily basis, Vainisi aims to inspire invigorating energy through her uplifting images and quotes. In her introduction she writes, “Our modern, busy lifestyle constantly bombards us with unrealistic images and notions… Embracing Your Life gently reminds you that all aspects of you and your life are worth celebrating, that the simple things are often those which make it the most precious and meaningful.”
Vainisi juxtaposes her colorful designs with inspirational quotations and prose that encourage readers to become reflective and self-aware. She weaves two major themes into her text: stimulating a sense of gratitude in everyday life and developing stronger connections through self-love. One such example of Vainisi’s selected passages is a quote by Maya Angelou: “A joyous spirit is evidence of a grateful heart.”
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Jenny Vainisi is an award-winning illustrator whose work has been used by major publishing companies and advertising agencies. She has created cover art for bestselling national author Iyanla Vanzant and has designed artwork for music CDs. Vainisi holds a BFA in painting from the University of Wisconsin and she continued her artistic studies at Parsons School of Design in New York. Today, her art is primarily computer generated, but her style was originally developed using a cut-paper technique.
