Jennifer Lee is a young artist with an incredible work ethic. Before she’d even graduated from art school, she started selling prints of her work – and that’s how her brand, Cloverleafpie, was originally formed! Now, you’ll see her at multiple art fairs and markets every week around the Bay Area, CA, selling prints of her bright, cute, cartoon and video-game inspired illustrations, as well as a variety of other products: stickers, stationery, and larger, more complex items like plushies and apparel.
She’s been a Wacom Intuos user for a long time, but because she’s always on the go, we were curious if the new Wacom MovinkPad 11 all-in-one drawing pad might allow her to keep working even when she’s out and about between different markets and fairs, during downtimes at her booth, or whenever else she wants to be creative on the go. Check out the video below for her review of the MovinkPad 11, and for an interview we did with her about her creative journey, her inspiration, whether she’d recommend art school, why her art is so dang cute, and what she’s got coming up in the near future. Note: the interview below has been edited for length and clarity.
How did you first discover your passion for art? Were you a creative kid?
I have been drawing for as long as I can remember! My parents actually still have one of my scribbles from preschool taped to the wall, and they like to say that that is where it all started. I have always been into drawing, knitting, sewing, baking, and really any hands-on activity you can think of! It was always a dream of mine to be able to do art as my career once I grew up, and I am really happy that I’ve achieved just that.
You recently graduated from art school, but had already developed your brand and had been selling your work while you were still in school. How do you feel about your art school experience? Would you recommend art school to a young artist who’s starting out today?
I went to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco for a BFA in Illustration. I was featured in their spring show every year, and even got the director’s choice award for illustration for one of my pieces my junior year! I found that art school really gave me the structure I needed to be able to not only explore different techniques and styles, but also develop the fundamentals and skills needed to execute them. Cloverleafpie actually first started out with me selling prints of some of my homework assignments!
Even so, there were weeks where I felt like I was drowning in schoolwork and days where I’d work till the sun came out, only to then crash for 15 minutes before getting back up to attend my next class. I think art school was what I personally needed to get to where I am now, but I believe it is definitely not a prerequisite to be a successful artist. There are all sorts of avenues young artists can take to gather the skill sets needed to be a talented artist! I believe that as long as you are able to commit to your passion and always strive to be better, you will find a way to succeed.
Your style is very bright and cutesy, with a lot of pinks and pastel colors – and you do a lot of fanart, with an emphasis on Pokémon and other video game characters. How did you develop your style and interests when it comes to art?
I’m sure it is a surprise to no one that I have always loved cute things. I still have a collection of plushies in my room that I frequently add to, and most of my closet is filled with pink, yellow, and green clothing. I did a lot of work in school that was very different from what I do now – I drew a lot of game concept art that was much more muted and realistic, and it made me feel suffocated at times. Even though those pieces looked polished, and you could tell I spent a lot of time on them, they just didn’t evoke the same emotions as the art I make now – now that I have full creative control of the entire process. I have always been drawn to other artists who brought a bit of themselves into their work, so I wanted Cloverleafpie to be an amalgamation of all the things I enjoy! I think if you love your own work, others will see it and love it too!
You create digital work as well as plushies, stationery, accessories, apparel, and more. How did you learn to create all these different kinds of products? Do you have a favorite kind of piece to work on? Are there any that are major headaches to create but you keep doing them because people like them?
Every product had a learning curve. It took me a couple months of research to figure out the optimal printer and cutters to buy, and what paper to get, so I could make prints and stickers at home. And there was still a lot of trial and error to get things running smoothly. I think my background in concept art really helped when I had to design plush and apparel mockups for my manufacturers, but those often take several months of back and forth before we reach the final product. Sometimes, this can take upwards to a year!
I often plan my holiday items a year in advance to ensure my inventory will be available for the launch date. Even so, plushies and apparel are still my favorite items to make and the ones I am the most proud of. I think it is a completely different feeling when you are able to see a three dimensional product you created compared to something that just has your design printed on it, like a keychain or a print. At the end of the day, the headaches are all worth it because I enjoy making them regardless.
What’s your current tech setup like these days? And why do you choose Wacom products specifically?
I currently do all my work for Cloverleafpie on Adobe Photoshop with my Wacom Intuos. I’ve started dabbling with Clip Studio Paint software as well, but it is easier for me to keep my photo editing, graphic design, and illustrations all in one program with Photoshop. I’ve been using this tablet for years now, and I don’t know what I’d do without it! I got my first Wacom tablet when I was in sixth grade, so I’ve grown used to it. I think the products are light, sleek, and durable!
Do you have any advice for an early stage artist who might want to have a freelance career selling art and products they’ve designed, like you do?
You can do it! I think it is super daunting to step out into freelance due to the lack of stability, but the creative freedom makes it worth it. I would definitely recommend starting out with smaller items such as prints or stickers to test the market before dipping your toes into apparel, plushies, bags, etc. since they will have a much higher upfront fee. Once you are able to make a steady income, you can start making different items!
How do you compare marketing and selling online and managing your online store to the multiple art fairs, shows, and markets that you sell your work at each month? Do you prefer in-person, online, or having both avenues for revenue?
Personally, I think it is a lot easier to market in person than it is online. I often forget to post my work online till way after they debut since I am busy focusing on bringing them in person for everyone to see. It is a lot more personal when people can walk up to my booth and see my work while I talk about all the fun things that made the product or illustration come to fruition! I currently attend 3-4 markets a month, and it is so rewarding being able to talk to people with the same interests and love for art as me. Even so, I would love to be more consistent with my YouTube channel and online shop for 2026.
Do you have anything cool or interesting on the horizon that fans of your work should keep an eye out for?
As seen in the Wacom MovinkPad 11 review video, I will be launching my tomato monkey plushies soon! They are super soft and have wires in their tails so you can shape them however you like! You can see more about them on my Instagram once they arrive.
About the artist
Jennifer Lee (she/her) is a Taiwanese-American illustrator based in Fremont, California. She has been the artist and founder behind the brand Cloverleafpie since 2022 and can often be seen circulating art conventions and local craft markets. Her work features cute and colorful creatures on stationery, apparel, and plushies meant to spark joy and whimsy in day to day life!
Check out Jennifer’s work on Instagram and Youtube, and shop her merch at Cloverleafpie!
