Meet Jennifer Thompson | Film Photographer & Sketch Artist

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

Hi Jennifer, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
Outsiders, for the most part, are unaware of how much goes into starting and maintaining an artistic business. Most are unaware of the time it takes to bring a creative project from concept to an actual product. The time, cost, and work involved is way more than what most know of. So, when someone asks you to work for exposure, for free, or little to nothing it’s a real slap in the face.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I like to refer to myself as a visual artist because I specialize in more than one art form, film photography and sketch art. Film photography is my first love and sketch art came along a few years later. I’ve been shooting film for over 30 years (I started young) and sketchbook for over 15. I feel that art should be created with the audience in mind. To en it’s feeling, emotion, and/or thought. I always strive for this and to make the audience feel like they are there in the image.

It was a long road for me that I am still traveling down. As a single mother of two children it was never easy to balance things. It took a lot of work, dedication, and reinventing the process. The biggest challenge I have had to face was with money. As an artist it’s harder to make all the income you need from your artwork. So balancing life along with a second stream of income (something steady) can be quite challenging at times. Learning to keep things as simple as possible and not being afraid to reach out for opportunities has been my saving grace.

I would like the world to know that there is beauty in the everyday, mundane things around us. Elegance is everywhere, you just have to open your eyes and see it. This is what you will find in my artwork. The simplistic beauty of our everyday environment.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Each day would be filled with outdoor activities. I would start with a day at Mt. Lemmon where the sunrises and sunsets are out of this world. Gates Pass would be next followed by Sabino Canyon. Saguaro Forest East would also be another place to see and right after Kartchner Caverns.

I love to cook so I would t do too much eating out. However, I can’t rave enough about the mom and pop Mexican restaurants here in Tucson! They are amazing! El Charro Cafe has become one of my favorites to date. Another place to eat out would be Brushfire. I love their bbq and ice cream!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout would be to my father. He is my biggest cheerleader. From an early age he has always taught the importance of hard work and that I can achieve anything that I am willing to work for.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenthompsonart/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7RadiskgJW38p2C25A6yeg