Meet Jo! Known as ‘BlueberryMonarch,’ she is a 30-year-old artist and fandom member from Norway.
Describe yourself in three words.
Creative, salty, and impatient.
How long have you been drawing?
I thought I would answer, ‘All my life,’ here, but I had a gap after I started studying art where my teacher at one point said that I couldn’t draw – I later realized that she didn’t like the creative freedom I chose to take with all my assignments. I dropped out the same day, threw all my art supplies, and stopped drawing for five to six years before I started again, and then had another gap of four years when I went through something that left me unable to.
What kind of medium or equipment do you use?
I am almost completely digital now using my Wacom Intuos Pro – but I do still every now and then draw using pencils; it’s just mainly doodling or quick sketches.
How did you get involved in the Shadowhunters fandom?
I didn’t like the books that much – still haven’t finished the last book – and I was disappointed with the film adaptation, so when I saw Shadowhunters on Netflix, I just ignored it until I was really ill and couldn’t leave my bed. Bored, I decided to binge Season 1, and even though I felt it was overly kid-friendly, I stuck with it and fell in love with Magnus, Luke, and Jace – and now I am addicted. I didn’t really get into the fandom socially until January this year when I started writing fics, and then it grew from there to also talking to people and drawing.
Who is your favorite character to draw and why?
Magnus! I often draw the characters as they are portrayed in their TV versions and Harry Shum Jr.’s features are both really soft and sharp at the same time, which fascinates me and makes him really interesting to draw. I also like the character overall because there is more happening with his looks and his style that are fun to play with – his cat-eyes, make-up, magic.
What ships do you ship, and why you love them so much?
Malec mainly, but I also like Clace and for some reason, Jimon and Saphael. I am just very ship-friendly and will accept and find something endearing about almost any ship. I think I especially like TV Malec because it seems like such a pure relationship between two people who both deserve to be loved and cared for by someone as loving and caring as the other is. They are a perfect fit basically, but I admit the flirting and playfulness from Magnus’ side in Season 1 probably played into how much I love them as well. Also, being an angst-head, my mind loves playing with how a relationship between an immortal and mortal would play out.
What has been the best part of your fandom experience so far?
I think, first of all, it’s a group of people that I’ve met through the fandom who are just the best bunch of people (Malec Squad Goals) who on a daily basis just makes my life a little better with how funny, friendly, loving, and supportive they are. I’ve also met two people from the fandom in real life which was pretty awesome, as it was the first time I’ve ever done that and then the response from not just the fandom – who blow my mind with how supportive and caring they are – but also the cast of the show as well to some of my art. It’s really amazing.
Like what you see? You can follow Jo on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram. You can also check out her Redbubble!
