Indy Janna Jones: Punk, Pinups & Beautiful Monsters | Artist Spotlight
SERPENTOR’S LAIR / ARTIST SPOTLIGHT / EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Punk, Pinups & Beautiful Monsters:
Inside the Wildly Imaginative World of
Indy Janna Jones
From Universal Monsters and vintage Halloween to Disneyland nostalgia and offbeat collectibles, this independent artist gives the misunderstood a colorful new home.
EXCLUSIVE ARTIST INTERVIEW | NOVEMBER 9, 2026
“My brain is basically a Pee-wee’s Playhouse of so many different inspirations!”
— INDY JANNA JONES
Artwork by Indy Janna Jones.
Some artists look at a monster and see something to fear.
Indy Janna Jones sees somebody worth celebrating.
In her technicolor universe, classic horror icons become cheeky pinups, Disney attraction history becomes a creative playground, and forgotten Halloween imagery finds a thrilling second life.
Her portfolio feels like a midnight trip through a vintage cartoon studio, a roadside oddities museum, a theme-park prop workshop, and an old-fashioned Halloween store — all at once.
The through line is unmistakable: a love of the unusual, the nostalgic, and especially the misunderstood.
For this edition of Serpentor’s Lair Artist Spotlight, we invited Janna to share the influences, personal experiences, and ambitions behind her art.
She spoke candidly about finding comfort in movie monsters, the exhausting reality of independent freelance work, and a dream that might someday lead her from the drawing board to an actual theme park.
Editor’s note: Interview answers have been lightly edited for punctuation, clarity, and repeated transcription words while preserving the artist’s original voice and meaning.
THE INTERVIEW / 01
A Childhood of Beautiful Obsessions
For Janna, inspiration has never belonged to just one era or genre. The visual language of early animation sits comfortably alongside the spooky, surreal, and fantastical.
SERPENTOR’S LAIR:
Where did your love of drawing begin, and what first sparked your imagination?
INDY JANNA JONES:
“There are so many reasons why I started doing art in the first place and so many places that I’ve picked inspiration from — from classic cartoons to horror to Universal Monsters to so many things. My brain is basically a Pee-wee’s Playhouse of so many different inspirations!”
Artwork by Indy Janna Jones.
THE INTERVIEW / 02
The Woman Behind the Wonderfully Weird
Janna’s artwork is undeniably playful, glamorous, unconventional, and deeply nostalgic. But beneath the bright colors is a sincere affection for those characters who don’t quite fit the mold.
SERPENTOR’S LAIR:
How would you describe the artistic personality and point of view behind Indy Janna Jones?
INDY JANNA JONES:
“I think when it comes to my own voice, I definitely like the punk, cartoony, sweet and sexy side of art. I like representing the underdog. I have a big taste for nostalgia, and I like to emulate that in as many ways possible.”
That affection for the unusual is wonderfully illustrated by her interpretation of old-fashioned sideshow culture.
Artwork by Indy Janna Jones.
THE INTERVIEW / 03
A Pop-Culture Time Machine
For a generation raised on monsters, Saturday morning cartoons, classic movies, and trips to Disneyland, Janna’s artwork is a colorful reminder that childhood imagination never has to disappear.
Her creative influences span everything from early animation and Universal’s legendary creatures to the fantastical worlds of science fiction.
SERPENTOR’S LAIR:
Which cartoons, movies, characters, and childhood influences still shape your work?
INDY JANNA JONES:
“My biggest inspirations of all time, pop-culture-wise: anything Disneyland, anything classic 1930s cartoons, Universal Monsters and kaiju, pin-up girls, and so much more. I try to incorporate as many of those as I possibly can into my pieces. I’m a little bit of everything!”
Artwork by Indy Janna Jones.
THE INTERVIEW / 04
Why the Monsters Matter
Janna’s affection for classic Hollywood horror runs deeper than the memorable designs of its famous monsters.
Her connection to those misunderstood characters comes from a profoundly personal place.
SERPENTOR’S LAIR:
What draws you to classic monsters, gothic imagery, and characters such as Vampira and the Bride of Frankenstein?
INDY JANNA JONES:
“I know that having a talent for drawing is a great big strength, but it also came from a place of sadness. I was a very isolated and bullied child, and that made me drawn to the underdog characters, the misunderstood ones — especially Universal Monsters. I think that will always resonate with me, even though I have more friends nowadays and I don’t think anyone is afraid of me, haha.”
For Janna, the monsters are more than nostalgic entertainment. They represent the outsider, the misunderstood, and those who deserve to be seen differently.
Artwork by Indy Janna Jones.
Artwork by Indy Janna Jones.
“I was a very isolated and bullied child, and that made me drawn to the underdog characters, the misunderstood ones.”
— INDY JANNA JONES
THE INTERVIEW / 05
The Disneyland Dream Never Dies
There’s something magical about visiting Disneyland through the eyes of an artist.
Where most guests see an incredible attraction, Janna studies the craftsmanship, design, and creative process that brought it into existence.
SERPENTOR’S LAIR:
Why do classic Disneyland attractions inspire you, and which retired attraction would you bring back?
INDY JANNA JONES:
“One of my biggest inspirations of all time has been classic Disneyland. I have seen every single episode of The Wonderful World of Color, and every time I go to the parks, I study how things are made. Being an artist that does a lot of woodcut work, I’ve noticed that a lot of the pieces in Disneyland are just big woodcut things, and I’ve realized that I could make them at home! Everything at Disneyland started with an artist, and that’s what I believe makes it so magical. As for past attractions, the one that I miss the most is the classic submarine ride. As much as I love Finding Nemo, I need to look at that goofy sea serpent one more time!”
Her appreciation of Disney’s original attractions is particularly fascinating because she approaches them not simply as entertainment, but as works of art that have been physically brought to life.
The original Submarine Voyage and its unforgettable sea serpent hold a special place in her imagination, demonstrating how even the most whimsical attractions can leave lifelong impressions.
THE INTERVIEW / 06
Tiki Girls, Tropical Dreams & Midcentury Magic
From mischievous tiki idols to tropical color palettes and glamorous pinups, Janna’s artwork embraces the exuberance of vintage-inspired tropical fantasy.
SERPENTOR’S LAIR:
How did you discover tiki culture, and what keeps you coming back to its colorful vintage aesthetic?
INDY JANNA JONES:
“Being involved in tiki culture is something that has always permeated the pop-culture world, but is fairly new to me diving headfirst into. At first it kind of seemed like a cult that I was not invited to. But the more I look into what I grew up with that had a lot of tiki themes in it — like SpongeBob, for example — the more I realize how deeply ingrained it has been in my mind. I love drawing sexy tiki girls with their own drinks and just all of the beautiful Tahitian fun designs that come with that sort of art direction. In my opinion, with tiki you can’t go wrong!”
Artwork by Indy Janna Jones.
THE INTERVIEW / 07
From First Sketch to Finished Woodcut
Behind every colorful character is a process of experimentation, observation, and revision.
Whether developing an illustration or creating one of her decorative woodcuts, Janna approaches the creative process with curiosity and a willingness to explore different possibilities.
SERPENTOR’S LAIR:
What does your creative process look like, from the first idea through sketches, references, and the final piece?
INDY JANNA JONES:
“When it comes to me and my creative process, I like thumbnailing a lot, sketching a lot, and just trying out a number of different things until I get it right. Of course, every artist has the same issue where our ideas are always better in our head than what actually comes out, but sometimes it’s the opposite! I have a wide range of pictures that I have saved online for reference. I’m always looking back and forth, too, and trying to make studies of what appeals to me, how I can emulate it in my work, and why!”
Artwork by Indy Janna Jones.
THE INTERVIEW / 08
An Artist Who Collects the Weird Stuff
At Serpentor’s Lair, we understand that inspiration often begins with the things we love collecting.
Janna’s collection sounds like an extraordinary assortment of Halloween treasures, classic monster merchandise, strange vintage toys, and childhood pop-culture memories.
SERPENTOR’S LAIR:
What toys, memorabilia, and unusual collectibles do you surround yourself with, and how do they inspire your artwork?
INDY JANNA JONES:
“Ah, yes. The infamous ‘You’re an artist, and what do you collect?’ type of question. I collect rubber vintage face dolls from the 1950s and ’60s. I collect Universal Monsters. I collect Simpsons Treehouse of Horror figurines, Garbage Pail Kids, Pee-wee’s Playhouse toys, anything Alien, Mars Attacks!, vintage Halloween — you name it. All of it goes into my art, and all of it is what I directly surround myself with to be inspired!”
This isn’t simply a collection of souvenirs. It’s a living library of characters, designs, and strange little personalities that feed directly into Janna’s creative imagination.
Artwork by Indy Janna Jones.
THE INTERVIEW / 09
The Hard Truth About Working as an Independent Artist
Behind the bright colors and playful characters is the demanding reality of independent creative work.
Building an audience, supporting yourself, and finding recognition take tremendous dedication, and Janna isn’t afraid to discuss those challenges.
SERPENTOR’S LAIR:
What has been the most difficult and rewarding part of four years working independently as a freelance artist?
INDY JANNA JONES:
“So I’ve been working freelance entirely on my own for the last four years, and I do have to say, although it has a lot of fulfilling elements to it, it has also been the most strenuous hard work I’ve ever had to deal with in my life. A lot of it makes you feel unseen. A lot of it makes you feel undervalued and unvalidated because of my status and not being so big. But I’m thankful to those who support me and always come back to support my work. So I would say this is just the beginning, and it’s only going to get better from here!”
Her words offer an important reminder about the artists whose creations enrich our collecting communities.
Behind every original illustration, handmade decoration, or custom commission are countless hours of work that deserve recognition.
THE INTERVIEW / 10
From the Drawing Table to an Entire Theme Park
What might the future hold for an artist whose imagination moves so freely between animation, monster movies, handcrafted props, and theme-park history?
Janna’s ambitions extend well beyond individual illustrations.
SERPENTOR’S LAIR:
What creative projects would you most love to pursue next, and what would your ultimate dream look like?
INDY JANNA JONES:
“I would say for future projects I definitely want to build entire sets. I just started building lamps from wood, and I would like to hopefully develop a theme park or get to be involved with the process of designing one. I am such a nerd for theme-park history of any park, and releasing children’s books and entire lines of things to hopefully help other artists succeed would be my absolute dream! But then again, I’m still very young in my career, and this is an adventure, and I have to be patient.”
THE LAST WORD
A World Worth Making
What makes Indy Janna Jones’s artwork memorable is not simply its vivid color or its affection for retro pop culture.
It is the generous imagination behind it: a conviction that the strange, the goofy, the forgotten, and the misunderstood all deserve their moment in the spotlight.
At Serpentor’s Lair, we celebrate the artists who keep yesterday’s visual magic alive while creating something boldly original.
Janna’s next chapter may involve woodcuts, children’s books, elaborate sets, or perhaps even a theme park. Whatever comes next, her imagination already feels like a destination.
SUPPORT THE ARTIST
Follow Indy Janna Jones & Explore Her Artwork
Interested in owning an original illustration, purchasing artwork, exploring her woodcuts, or contacting Janna about possible commissions?
Visit her social media pages and online shop to explore her creations and ask about current commission availability.
INSTAGRAM:
@indyjannajones
ONLINE SHOP:
Indy Janna Jones Art Shop
FACEBOOK:
Connect with Janna on Facebook
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT — SERPENTOR’S LAIR
All artwork featured in this interview is credited to
Indy Janna Jones.
The interview and editorial feature are presented by Serpentor’s Lair.
Discover more Artist Spotlight interviews and pop-culture features at SerpentorsLair.com
