“You are the artist… you decide” “This is a statement I say daily when my students are creating art with me.”
“Look Mommy, I Found Jesus” by Jenni Souter.
WAS THERE A PIVOTAL MOMENT WHEN YOU DECIDED TO FOLLOW YOUR PATH AS AN ARTIST?
“At age five, while I thanked God every day for my biological mom (her doctor would ride on a bike to her house and tell her to go to NY for an abortion), I was blessed to have a teacher for a mom who showed me how to be a teacher. She told me at a young age that I had a day job to pay the bills. She supplied me with many art supplies, and I flourished under her wing”.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK FOR US?
“While I wish round frames were easy, most of my work is an 8×8 framed finished painting with mixed media. I used to make life-size art but did not have space, so I created small art since I had much to say with my many paintings”.
WHAT DOES YOUR WORK AIM TO SAY?
“Like Mary Cassatt, I aim to capture motherhood’s joy. However, I have made art that is not the subject of motherhood. I call my whole body of work “Yesterday” because it shows my experiences as a woman throughout life and the memories that come with those experiences”.
Jenni Souter – Star Of The Week.
“Ode To Klimt-Love (Currently in Italy)” by Jenni Souter.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR WORK FITS WITHIN SOCIETY IN OUR PRESENT TIME?
“My work circles around my love for my children and fiancé primarily. I know that this is good, just as God would agree”.
WHEN LOOKING BACK, WHAT ARTWORKS COME TO MIND THAT MOST RELATE TO YOUR LIFE STORY?
“While I have thousands of artworks, every artwork I create is a piece of my life story in some way. My story is of a teacher artist of fine art, student of God in this exciting ride called life, sister, published worldwide exhibiting artist, wildlife expert, animal lover, euchre player, mom, friend, soulmate and daughter”.
“My Favorite Landscape Ludington” by Jenni Souter.
WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?
“My favorite artist is Mary Cassatt. I always thought she drew her and her children as her subject matter. I was surprised this year as I read about her to my elementary students to find that she had no children. I feel very fortunate to be a famous artist that DOES have the joy of motherhood to draw from. I tried to capture the joy and comfort that Mary showed. I genuinely enjoy the bold color of Georgia O’Keeffe, as we both enjoy nature. Last, I love Frida Kahlo as her birthday is close to mine as we are moon children and very sensitive, I have a love for symbolism, as she shared in her storytelling art. I love many other artists like Van Gogh, Fuseli, Picasso, and Jasper Johns, who I received a flag card from after he read my letter from my students and me showing him our flag art. I also visited Dali’s museum many times. I got to see Frida Kahlo’s home near Mexico City, Mexico. I have visited where John James Audubon made art”.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
“I set up the composition first. Next, I add metallic rainbow-colored paint. Then, I add Jolly Rancher transparent colorful pebeo paint on top to create a layered look I call “eye candy.” My idea for my abstract rainbow-colored art was inspired after I began to see rainbows in the world after the suicide of my loved one. So, I started painting my art abstractly”.
WHAT VISUAL REFERENCES DO YOU DRAW UPON IN YOUR WORK?
“My world has been a reference. I am also an art teacher, so that I will draw with my students.
Sometimes the students become my subject matter. I use photographs to make art. I also have make-believe ideas. Georgia O’Keeffe stated that she doesn’t know where these shapes come from in the head that I draw. The colors are abstract, and my goal is to just create (in general) a pleasantly rich, colorful artwork that makes the viewer enjoy the dopamine release as they look at all the colors and the mood”.
ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS?
“I currently was just asked to exhibit in my hometown of Sandusky, Ohio. The art will be in the gallery at City Hall. I was invited to Italy again, as well as London. Due to some health issues, I will be staying home and working on some paintings I am in the middle of. I am changing my palate to create a gold period to proclaim my wiser joyful years”.
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