Bold Lines and Bright Ideas: Celebrating October's Artist of the Month Jackie Cousins Oliva
- Project Onward Staff
- Nov 3
- 3 min read
This October, we are thrilled to shine the spotlight on Jacqueline “Jackie” Cousins Oliva, a talented illustrator, commentator, and storyteller whose art bridges pop culture, digital life, and personal reflection with wit, precision, and heart.
Born in 1984, Jackie graduated from the Illinois Institute of Art, where she studied drawing, Photoshop, and animation, but her artistic journey began long before that. As a student, she participated in programs at Gallery 37 and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, developing the strong technical foundation and creativity that continue to define her work today.
An avid observer of pop culture, Jackie’s drawings often feature figures from television, wrestling, music, and fashion. Her subjects, whether they’re celebrities or friends, receive equal treatment and importance, which reflects her belief in the Internet’s democratizing power to make all voices visible.
Jackie’s enthusiasm for wrestling and pop culture often finds its way into her artwork and storytelling. Her recent silent comic for Project Onward’s anthology Perpetual Motion Machine captures two female wrestlers in a powerful, wordless narrative told entirely through movement and sound effects.
“A wrestling match doesn’t need words,” Jackie explains. “It has its own rhythm and story. I like female wrestlers because of their style and women empowerment.”
For Jackie, wrestling and entertainment are mirrors of society. “I like it because it shows history, structure, and it’s just fun,” she says, smiling.
Much of Jackie’s work explores how people connect and express themselves online. “The Internet helps you connect with other people, networking and making friends, which I always have a habit of,” she says. Her vibrant compositions often reflect the flow of information, identity, and creativity that shape our digital lives.
When asked how she chooses her subjects, Jackie says simply, “It’s typically things I see that inspire me.” She draws influence from her favorite movies and shows, which she also reviews on her two YouTube channels ( @zyacocousins ), where she shares day-in-the-life videos, and ( @princesszyaco ), where she offers commentary on TV and film.
Jackie joined Project Onward in 2011, and her growth as both an artist and individual has flourished ever since. “It’s influenced me a lot through my work, my personality, and my experiences,” she says. “It’s provided me with a lot of opportunities and inspires me through other artists.”
Her work has appeared in collaborations ranging from comics to fashion, even including a partnership with handbag company Urban Junket for Autism Awareness Month 2014, where she created dynamic illustrations celebrating bold lines and vibrant color.
Jackie’s creative process is hands-on and ever-evolving. She loves working with ink, markers, and colored pencils, and is recently experimenting with acrylic markers, liquid pearls, and other textural elements like gems. “I’d love to work with ceramics at some point in the future,” she adds.
Looking ahead, Jackie dreams of continuing her comic book and illustration work, and of creating large-scale scenery pieces that immerse viewers in her colorful, pop-infused world.
Being named Project Onward’s Artist of the Month is a milestone that deeply resonates with Jackie. “It means a lot,
I was shocked,” she admits. “It helped me feel valued and appreciated.”
At the heart of all her work is an invitation to joy, curiosity, and empowerment. “I want people to feel excited and inspired,” Jackie says. “I want people to have their minds open to what I can bring forward to the table.”
