From Jennifer's DPW Page:
Having grown up in an artistic household, art has always been a part of my life. I've studied, taught, sold, bought, etc, etc. Not a day goes by that I don't think about painting or making something.
Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.
I grew up in an artistic family so was always around it and had access to materials. It has just been a part of life for as long as I’ve known. I don’t ever recall a decision to paint… artistic urges were always present.
Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?
Oh, gosh, yes. Other things in life would take the forefront. Other life paths called to me, but I always came back to art in one way or another, whether selling my own, or selling others, or teaching, or just making things for myself. Creativity was often the loyal friend I probably took for granted and didn’t always appreciate as much as I should have.
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| Starlight (click to view) Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Jennifer's interview. |
What mediums and genres have you experimented with?
I love anything that comes in colors. Watercolor, gouache, oil, colored pencil, ink, crayons, ceramic paint, paper, fabric, clay… I’ve experimented with a lot. Back when I was in college some 30+ years ago, I started painting on cookies with food coloring. I still do them to this day. If something could be painted, I’ve probably tried it… even if it was using the wrong paint on the wrong surface. I suppose I would say I love to do both “serious” and fun. I love a good still life, but I also love drawing/painting characters.
Which ones have "stuck" and which ones have fallen away?
The main mediums that have stuck are oil and gouache. I rediscovered gouache a few years ago when I was invited to participate in the Giant Robot Post-It Show. I hadn’t really used it much since college but rediscovered something special about it. It works with how I work.
Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?
I inherited my mother’s kiln and am hoping to get it hooked up one day. I have fond memories of working with clay.
Who or what inspires you most?
Everything. Everything can be looked at from a different angle and seen a different way. Everything talks to us in some way.
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| The Aftermath (click to view) |
What does procrastination look like for you?
Argh… procrastination for me comes when I think there is only one way forward and someone is waiting at the end to bust my chops for not getting it right. It stops me cold… and then I need to remind myself that this is fun, and that there are many roads that take you to the end, and all roads are valid, just as all ends are valid.
What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?
It used to be scheduling time and sticking to it, but that’s not a problem anymore now that I don’t have school-age kids. Now, it’s just telling the art demons to be quiet when they’re being particularly loud and want me to stop. Sometimes I encourage them to paint with me.
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| Spring Ahead (click to view) |
How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?
I see something that is intriguing and feel I need to paint it. I like riddles, so sometimes I’ll see something that looks challenging and I have to figure out how to do it. I’m always painting in my mind. A lot of the time, the ideas are just dropped into my head. I’m very appreciative of that.
How do you keep art "fresh?" What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?
Taking a break helps, long and short. If one painting isn’t working, work on another. Using different mediums helps, as well as changing up the genres. I just keep doing stuff and the ideas and excitement will generally come.
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| Lychees (click to view) |
What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist?
I’d say the biggest thing I’ve realized in my later years was that what I viewed as my mistakes were really my style. I’ve also realized I’m nowhere near finished, thank goodness.
What makes you happiest about your art?
What makes me happiest is that I still love doing it, and I’m still improving every day. There are still wonderful surprises around the corner. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self a lot of this, but I’m glad I’ve realized now. Better late than never!
Thanks, Jennifer!
© 2019 Sophie Marine
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