Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Christy.
Hi Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a maker and entrepreneur since as far back as I can remember. As a child, I spent countless hours in my room drawing, and making little trinkets to sell to my neighbors. As I got older, I discovered that painting is my passion, and eventually ended up going to art school. Today, painting is still my medium of choice, and I am also still an entrepreneur at heart. I’ve had many small businesses, including a mobile art school housed in a renovated 1960s Airstream trailer, a pet accessory and portrait business, and even a party hat business. Today, I create and sell statement jewelry made from painted canvases and resin.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced in running my small businesses and creating art has always been time. Jewelry design and painting is one job of three that I currently hold. I am a full-time mother of two cute kids, Penelope is eleven, and Benjamin is nine. I am also a full-time art teacher too! Let’s just say, I don’t get much down time. I’ve had to learn to be smart with my time management and organizational skills. This is not so easy for a person with a very creative and easily distracted brain; however, I think I’ve become pretty good at it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
A designer at heart, I am obsessed with color, shape, and pattern, and how they work together. A few years ago, I began cutting my paintings into small shapes and reassembling them into different arrangements. I was immediately intrigued by the new life a painting takes on when cut into pieces. I am fascinated by the concept of impermanence and transformation within a work of art. Eventually, these ideas led me to alter my paintings into jewelry. Art as fashion soon became a new obsession of mine.
My jewelry is for people who want to be truly original. I design for people who want to stand out. People like me who don’t enjoy showing up wearing the exact same jewelry as everyone else in the room, or having their homes look like pages in a magazine. Each piece of jewelry and art that I design is unique. I do not mass produce. When you show up wearing a Jennifer Christy Art piece, or when you hang a painting of mine on your wall, you are guaranteed to be the only one in the world wearing it or having it in your home.
The act of cutting up my paintings has now become a meditative practice that I look forward to. Reassembling the pieces together and transforming them into something new, whether it be for a piece of jewelry I am designing, or a collage work, is an exercise in play. I rarely begin with a plan and am often surprised at the evolution of each piece I create.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
My stomach flips when I am put on the spot and asked to draw something. Yes, some artists can do this because they are amazing illustrators, but not me. I need references, time, and many erasers! In fact, I think something many people do not realize about all creatives, and not just me, is the amount of time we spend making mistakes and failing at our work. My garage is filled with canvases that I tossed aside because the work was not going in the direction I wanted it to. I have boxes full of tragic jewelry experiments! Everything I post on my website, hang at galleries or shops, and post on Instagram, is what I am most proud of. This can lead to the misconception that I am somewhat magical and can whip out a fabulous piece of work on a whim. The truth is, I struggle like the rest of us, and work many hours, and make many terrible mistakes before I create something I love. Surprisingly, this struggle is also my favorite part of the creative process. It’s frustrating at the time, but I always come out on the other side a stronger, better artist.
Contact Info:
- Email: jennchristyart@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.jenniferchristy.art/
- Instagram: @jenniferchristyart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferChristyArt
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JenniferChristyArt
