About

Biography

Jen attended Sheridan's BAA Illustration program before emerging into the Toronto commercial artist community in the early 2010's. Her work explores themes of loneliness, nature, and childlike forms that feel intuitive and unrefined. Using art as a form of meditation, she uses colour palettes that create both visual stimulation and a sense of calm. She has held a fascination with encountering illusive creatures in nature; finding rare moments where you both interact with a respectful curiosity; a conversation with a new friend. This feeling is something she has explored in her works over the years to better understand. Her dreams also serve as a major source of inspiration and she has kept journals for years which have been interpreted in many of her works. 

Jen's influences range greatly from Inuit & Haida artwork (which her Dad collected throughout her childhood), Hayao Miyazaki, Maud Lewis, Maurice Sendak, Marcel Dzama, Matisse, Rousseau, Kahlo, MCM art & design, Scandinavian folk art, and all forms of folk & primitive art which demonstrates the significance of human and spirit connection. Jen's parents shared their love for nature, animals, camping and craftwork growing up which has led her to question what the human experience should really be, often questioning why our societies live so differently than generations ago being so disconnected from nature and traditional lifestyles. Folk art represents a more natural human experience and Jen believes is something that needs to be preserved for us to all feel connected to our lineage.

Land Acknowledgement:
The land modernly known as Waterloo on which we are privileged to explore today is of the Haldimand Tract within the territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee people. These lands have been preserved for centuries before us to provide an abundant and sustainable future for generations, promoting further biodiversity and preservation of nature.