Meet Jen Smith | Charcoal Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jen Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jen, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I feel like even from a very young age being a visual artist was just my core identity. It has felt like the most natural way to go as far as my professional career. I actually spent most of 20’s and 30’s in retail management and my art was always on the side. When I stepped into my 40’s I really started to lean in and give it the time it deserved and to allow myself to see where it would take me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I grew up in the Bighorn Basin of northern Wyoming just 90 miles east of Yellowstone National Park. I draw my inspiration from that heritage of living and being raised outside in the badlands, prairies and the Rocky Mountains of that region. I received my BFA from Montana State University, Bozeman, MT.

Through the act of exploration I respond to the natural world in it’s ever evolving state. My work, although naturalistic, is very modern and clean and showcases each subject with great detail.

I am primarily a charcoal artist. My work is often black and white with color only occasionally finding it’s way in through pastel pencil. My work is done on custom cradled birch panels built by my husband. I often put a chalk paint down and then sand it partially off to let the wood grain show through.

I’m completely enthralled with the world around me and my statement is one of appreciation and showing up to present in this beautiful wild world we are surround by. It seems so many of us are attached to our devices. I want my work to encourage the viewer to get out and get connected to the earth and it’s creatures.

My subject matter is the natural world with a particular focus on wildlife that includes birds of prey and regional animals. I showcase my subjects rarely with background so the viewer gets a dynamic sense of space and a very close focus on details of my subject. My work here in the PNW is very identifiable by my style and that I draw on wood panels. Drawing on wood panels allows me to go bigger than I might otherwise be able to on paper. I wouldn’t want any of my work framed and under glass. There is a sense of freedom with my pieces.
In a vast sea of painters I do stand out as a drawer.
My professional career started by selling prints at a gift shop I use to manage. I had moved to Portland, Or and eventually got into several galleries and had a few solo exhibits. After my husband and I moved to the Columbia River Gorge town of Stevenson, Washington I exhibited in a brand new art gallery. Had a near sold out show! Later on I got involved with local fundraisers by donating art. These included museums, hospitals and even local fundraising for numerous events. I believe this put me on the map.
My biggest breakthrough on to the art scene was getting into the annual museum fundraiser “Western Visions” at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. To be selected to show my work along side the top living wildlife artists in the world! This will be my 3rd year doing this event. It also led to getting into other prestigious shows like “Art in the West” at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon.
I wouldn’t say it was easy but I show up every day to research and draw to move my business forward.

I recently in December of 2020 was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. A very aggressive cancer with few treatment options. I’m still in active treatment as I’m on oral chemo but was declared cancer free in September 2021. Throughout my entire healing journey I continued to make my art. I guess I would have to say that what makes me so proud and grateful is that I get to share my art with the world especially during a very active treatment protocol. My work definitely reflected my journey. I’ve even been able to donate art to breast cancer research and diagnostic machinery for our rural community… the very one that diagnosed me quickly and efficiently! Those opportunities were made possible through donations and fundraiser which I am proud to say I am a part of.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned about being my own boss is that showing up every day consistently is important. Also having a very clear vision that gets me fired up! I’m always looking into the future with visions of my next bold steps! I find that the clearer I imagine them in my mind the more success I experience.

Teaching my techniques is another one of favorite ways to share my talents. I love doing one on one instruction and group classes.
My husband and I have a gorgeous industrial studio located on the edge of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It’s been a wonderful space to create in and I plan on doing workshops their in the near future.

I’m also busy with custom commission work. That truly is my bread and butter. I do many memorial pet portraits during the year. I also love getting custom work that includes the wildlife I already love to draw quite often.

My work is in several galleries in the region and my goal is to get into many more in the Rockies and in the Southwest.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge is a great hike!

Boda’s Kitchen in Hood River for quick and locally sourced meals to eat there or grab and go watch the windsurfing and kiteboarding on the banks of the Columbia River.

Maryhill Museum of Art located on the Washington side in the Columbia River Gorge. Small but incredible museum with an eclectic collection of art on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River.

Domaine Pouillon A picturesque family-owned and operated winery making Rhone style French wine, located in the Columbia River Gorge of Washington State in Lyle. I even have a wine there with a label I designed on it!

Thunder Island Brewing Company is an adventure-based small batch brewery that is handcrafting creative and innovative beers in the Pacific Northwest. Also has an incredible view of the Columbia River.

Fire Cache Studios my industrial art studio that I share with my talented artist husband Eli. It is located right at the edge of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Stabler, Washington. Hiking all around and beautiful creek simply minutes from the studio.

Timberline Lodge Set high on the shoulder of one of the most iconic peaks in the Pacific Northwest, Timberline continues, after 80 years, to offer one of the most exciting and unique high-alpine mountain experiences in North America. Open year round it’s a great place to ski and hike and have a fun meal with great views!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My success I feel was cultivated within me from a very young age. My parents and grandparents always encouraged me to do my art and stick with it! I had no doubt that my path would be leading me to be a full time working artist. That’s some impactful imprinting! My parents especially raised me outside in prairies and deserts that later completely influenced my work.

My husband Eli has been a huge advocate of mine and he really supported and encouraged me setting off on my own and making visual arts my main career focus. He also is a talented art panel maker and I’m lucky because he not only supplies national, regional and local artists with custom made wood art panels but he makes mine! Pretty lucky!

My daughter Lindsey who is also a working professional artist is such an amazing support and a great source of encouragement and someone I get to brainstorm with about being a self employed artist. She inspires constantly!

Although that path took me a while to step into 100% I would have to say my big turning point was when I met my now husband Eli Lewis. He too is a visual artist and he builds my art panels for me. He also encouraged me to step completely away from working for other people and stepping out to do my own thing. It was a huge move but he knew I could do it and supported my evolution in that direction!

Website: www.jensmithart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jensmithart/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenSmithArt