With its cheerful bright colors and streamlined images, it’s always summer in a design from Graphics by J&J. And, once you know their style, their work is instantly recognizable.
Their picture of the entrance to Swampscott as you drive in along Lynn Shore is a good example. A line of fencing draws your eye into town, the rocks in front of Red Rock Bistro greet you, and the steeple of St. John’s draws your eye to a bright blue sky.
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The J&J are Janice and Jim Cohen, a Swampscott mother and son team who have been in business since 2004.
Calling their efforts a true “collaboration,” all their designs are original artwork, which are printed in Salem onto note cards, posters and calendars, as well as custom items.
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With their business expanding across New England, their scenes depict Swampscott as well Marblehead, Nantucket, Boston, the South Shore, and will soon feature locations in Maine and Rhode Island.
Janice Cohen explains her foray into the graphic design business by saying, “I always loved art.” Graduating from Boston University, she worked as an elementary school teacher until her children were born. She then started a decorating business, Janice Cohen Interiors, which she ran for a number of years.
Jim Cohen earned a bachelor’s degree from Curry College in graphic design and a BFA from the Museum School. He worked as a marketing designer for 2-3 years designing brochures, flyers and other marketing material, until his job was outsourced.
Knowing that marketing was not for him, Jim returned to Curry for a Masters in Special Education.
After a year of working in Boston as a special education teacher however, he was feeling burnt out. It was then that Janice suggested that they, “start a little business.”
Jim was familiar with computer graphics from his studies at Curry and the Museum School, but Janice says, “I had to learn how to use the computer. I couldn’t even use a mouse.”
They took classes at North Shore Community College, at the Cummings Center and then in Lynn, in a variety of graphic software: Illustrator; Photoshop; In-Design; Quark.
Janice laughs, “I was 10 years behind everyone. I was the oldest person in the class.”
A homework assignment to “do your favorite scene” led the duo to illustrating local spots.
They bring out an assortment of cards, and show me one of their earliest images--the Fish House, with its familiar flag flying, as well as boats in the harbor and the sunbathers at the beach.
Says Janice of their business, “Every year it’s been building up.” Last year they sold to people in 31 states, and retailers all over Massachusetts and New England carry their collection. They are even now just finishing the closing details on a distributing with LL Bean. And, when Janice’s husband Irwin retired, he came aboard to help with the business end.
As their business has grown, so has J&J’s range of images. They have a popular collection of different Boston teams, including one of Yawkey Way.
Jim, who is engaged to be married this summer, admits that working together is not always perfect. “Sometimes it’s tough and I have to get up and take a walk … [but} it’s a team effort.” For example, Jim takes the lead on the sports images and Janice is in charge of anything having to do with flowers.
Of their scenes, Janice says, “Swampscott people love them and they bring wonderful memories to people who have moved away.”
J&J puts out a North Shore calendar every year, and November always features images from the Swampscott-Marblehead Thanksgiving football game.
They will do custom orders, of houses or any location for any event, date holders for weddings is a recent example.
Their cards, posters and calendars are available locally at Newman’s Bakery, Spirit of ’76 Bookstore in Vinnin Square, as well as Ship Shape, Arnould Gallery, Village Pharmacy, and other Marblehead locations, and on-line at: www.graphicsbyjandj.com
