Painter, illustrator, and naturalist Jenna Lechner brings the lush, layered world of the Pacific Northwest into her watercolor work, where ferns curl and snowberries gleam in soft clusters. Her latest collaboration with Artscape transforms this intimate observation of ecology into large-scale, livable art.
Printed sustainably in Sweden, Lechner’s new wallpaper designs celebrate native flora with hand-painted depth and emotional warmth. We sat down with Jenna in our Portland studio to talk about inspiration, process, and her enduring connection to nature.
Q: What is your biggest inspiration as an artist?
Jenna: My biggest influence is definitely nature, specifically the ecology of the Pacific Northwest. Every plant you see in this wallpaper comes from the Portland Plant List. There’s a lot of research behind my work because I’m fascinated by biology, botany, and ecology. I love learning about the natural systems that surround us and bringing them into focus through painting.
Q: Tell us a bit about your background as a painter.
Jenna: I actually started in printmaking and earned my BFA with a focus in studio art. I studied painting a little, but my real foundation came through printmaking and drawing. After college, I worked as an in-house illustrator for a stationery company, which helped me hone my craft. Over time, I transitioned into freelance illustration, and that opened up new avenues to merge fine art, design, and nature.
Q: Are there any artists who influence your work?
Jenna: So many! I’m inspired by everyone from printmakers like Dürer to comic artists like Tove Jansson, who created The Moomins. I also love the storytelling and vision of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki. My art history minor probably says it all, I’m kind of obsessed with how art has evolved through time.
Q: How did you approach designing your wallpaper collection for Artscape?
Jenna: I started with research, identifying native plants I wanted to highlight. Many of them grow right in my own yard, like sword fern, lady fern, snowberry, and coastal strawberry. I photographed them, pulled reference images from reliable sources like Oregon State University, and built the designs from there.
I collaborated closely with Kate Troyer, Artscape’s Creative Director, sharing sketches and examples as we refined the direction together. From there, I created individual watercolor paintings for each element and layered them into a cohesive pattern.
Q: You’ve done surface design before. How does wallpaper fit into your broader practice?
Jenna: I love surface design because it merges fine art and function. I’ve created custom wallpaper for Portland spaces like Harris Harper Salon and Ruby Jewel Ice Cream, each one with its own vibe and palette. I also explore surface design through crafts like embroidery, weaving, and basket making. In a way, even printmaking is a kind of surface design, it’s all about bringing pattern and texture to life.
Q: What do you hope people feel when they live with your designs?
Jenna: I hope they feel a sense of wonder for the natural world. Growing up, I had hand-painted walls and patterned clothes that sparked my imagination. I want this wallpaper to do the same, to fill homes with joy, curiosity, and respect for the ecosystems around us. If a child looks at one of these wallpapers and starts noticing plants or birds outside differently, that would make me so happy.
Q: Artscape’s wallpapers are printed in Sweden on sustainable, non-woven materials. How does that align with your values?
Jenna: Sustainability is really important to me. It’s one of the reasons I paint in watercolor, you can literally compost your rejects or recycle your paper. I try to make choices in my art that are gentle on the environment and true to the materials I love.
Q: Do you have a favorite piece in this collection?
Jenna: Probably the Woodland Mural, it’s such an ambitious piece. It includes animals and plants that exist in relationship with one another, like the red amanita mushroom that thrives near oak trees. Designing something that large while keeping it cohesive across panels was a challenge, but I love how it turned out.
Q: How do you see your role as an artist evolving?
Jenna: I want to keep blending illustration and collaboration. My fine art background was very individualistic, but I really love creating with others, designing something that fits into people’s lives. My goal is to keep making work that honors the natural world and reminds us of our place within it.
See Jenna's wallpaper collection here.
