I hit the “Share” button. It’s out there now. No taking it back.

Breathe.

Stepping outside of my comfort zone has never been easy for me. I have spent my life entire life making sure everyone else is happy and taken care of. I am sure so many of you have done or are doing the same.

But there has come a moment, and I am not willing to shrink back from it. I want an art culture here where I live. Cities all around me have lively art scenes. They have cultural events. They have music events. I want that for my city.

I have just gotten back into art but have always been a creative. But for most of my life, I have had to either put it aside, ignored it or I made excuses for myself as why I cannot do it. But now I want to be submersed in it. I am fortunate to have a full-time job. My son is in college and my daughter is about to be. The timing seems right. Things are falling into place. So if not now, when. Let’s see our artists shine. I know our City’s is trying to start a reboot and I hope to be a part of that. Let’s bring on a renaissance.

I have a vision for an art & event center in Lodi. Events like art fairs and festivals. Art in public spaces. Workshops. Food events and more. A place to have artist retreats and where artist can come to do a residency. I have a little book where all my ideas and the vision reside. I even have a name chosen. Duende. And someday it is going to happen. Some way, it will happen.

But for now, I take the first steps and are calling on my local art friends to join me and participate in an open studio event.

If you are a local artist (Lodi, Woodbridge, Acampo or Lockeford area), and would like to join me in an open studio event, the date is 11/14/21 from 10 AM to 3 PM.

To register and get on the map, go to my website and sign up. It is $20 per artist to register. You will be added to the map which will be released on 11/10/21. You will get an artist feature on ‘The Artists’ page and social media posts. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Lodi Community Art Center.
So let’s get together, see what our beautiful art community has to offer and support our local community art center.

If you don’t have a studio per se, pair up with a friend who has space for you.

Much love,

Jen

As with many of my pieces, there was an idea. But then it turned into something else -  something better. In January, I was lucky enough to take a workshop from an artist I completely admire, Kippi Lee. I was taking this workshop no matter what. I had to take a late flight into San Diego. Then a two-and-a-half hour drive through desert mountains into Palm Desert. The moon was big, so I could still make out the landscape. But the moment I started my descent into Palm Desert was pure magic. The lights of the cities and home twinkled in the distance, reminding me I wasn’t alone. The anticipation for the next day built up. This is a tribute to that pilgrimage and the next part of my journey as an artist. 

The desert, sea and forest have always been inspiration for me. And as I sit here, I crave an adventure. I need to see something new and feel the breeze on my face. I need to blast the music, sing along and set my heart free. As we are all becoming stir crazy with this pandemic, I look at my walls and imagine myself in the places they represent. I love that art has that affect people in that way.

To view this piece, click here.

Stay safe & healthy. Let’s plan an adventure soon!

XO

Jen