Jennifer Valenzuela Art

 

Tell us about yourself!
I’ve always been a creative; intrigued by color, patterns, shapes, and the power communicating with art. After art school I continued my pursuit of a career as an artist, always striving to grow, be inspired, and learn. I taught art for many years and am now starting a one of a kind luxury beach line made with may paintings laser printed on soft breathable fabrics, which I call Salt Kissed Luxe.

What are your favorite materials right now?​

I love wood, wood grain is so beautiful to me, it informs the compositing and I really enjoy leaving a peekaboo of wood panel on many paintings. My work is almost always oil on wood with epoxy coating.

When did you decide to become a designer/artist?​

As a very young girl.

Were you encouraged to follow your dreams and create for a living?​

In some respects I was encouraged by my family to draw and paint, but they were not supportive of trying to make a career out of being an artist, knowing it is so unpredictable and difficult to make a living doing. I was encouraged by my teachers and friends through out my life and it has sustained me on many levels.

Is there a single purpose that keeps you focused?​ 

My purpose is to create a space for the viewer to be transported to that allows them to dream, relax, contemplate, and invite them to think deeper about our world, the universe and native intelligence.

What about your medium makes you keep going back? What makes you stick with it?​

I love oil because of the way it flows beneath my brush, or my hand. It’s so creamy and rich with pigment, it’s so forgiving and easy to manipulate and move around and blend.

Is there something that the world should know about you and/or the work that you do?​

I’m just tying to create a little joy, that provokes thought and spreads aloha.

What’s your biggest challenge as a maker?​

Time and space.

What’s on your current music rotation while creating?​

This is a good one! I listen to so much music when I paint. Currently I’ve been loving Leon Bridges, Sylvan Esso, Santigold, 90’s hip hop channel on Spotify, disco reggae channel, Modest Mouse, and Indie Folk channel to name a few.

 

See more of Jennifer's work.