Meet Jenny Willigrod | Artist

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

Hi Jenny, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is consistency. All of subject matter is uplifting to my clients and happy people make happy clients. Other consistencies of my art are the bright palettes I always use and my bold technique. These two factors have helped me create my brand of art.

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.
My artwork has been labeled “Southwest Whimsical” as I love bright, bold colors and my subjects are images from scenes of the Southwest and Mexico. In this area of the world, the land can be harsh and the desert can be a muted pallet of browns and grays. It never fails that amidst all of the dullness, a bright spot of color exists. I am inspired by these burst of colors in our landscapes such as in the brilliance of a bright pink cactus blossom or a shimmering adobe wall under the desert sky. All of my pieces are created with chalk pastels on black paper. Pastels are a great medium for my work for they allow me to achieve the bright and bold colors I desire. The most meaningful part of my job is the positive feedback from those that have made purchases of my work. Here are a few favorites. Hi Jenny, I can’t tell you how much your piece means to us. We fell in love with the southwest (from Wisconsin) in 1983 and have been returning ever since. We even got married in the mission (now cathedral) off the Square in Santa Fe. This particular work just in-stantly took us back to that night. Believe me art does move people. Thank you again. Julie Thank you so much!!!! You might like the story behind wanting 3 of the same print. I am 50 years old and have always been an only child. In June I found out via 23and Me that I have a sister who is 52… in September we found out we have another sister who is 51. I live in CA and the first sister lives in Kentucky. We met in Prescott AZ for the first time 2 days after Thanksgiving. We were in Van Gogh’s ear and saw the original of this print and started crying happy tears. I decided to get each of is a print for Christmas since it struck two of is as super sweet. Thank you for being part of this crazy awesome revelation for is all. Diane Hello, Jenny… I just wanted to thank you for allowing my publisher, ENROUTE, to use your truly beautiful painting… Desert Pueblo At Dusk… on the cover of my new book: The Redemption of San Isidro. Everyone who has seen the cover so far has remarked at how beautiful and uplifting your painting is. May God continue to bless you and your work. Fr. Lawrence Edward Tucker With all this time on my hands, I’ve been cleaning out and came upon one of your bro-chures. I don’t know if you remember me but I am the person who commissioned you for a giant cacti piece. I just wanted to tell you, some years ago, a photo of my home was featured in a magazine and your artwork was hanging on the wall in the back-ground. I also wanted to tell you how much joy your piece brings to me every time I pass it which is many, many times on any given day during the winter. I just LOVE the piece. It has always been my favorite piece of artwork in our home. I love the bright colors and it just makes me happy! Suzanne Rupp

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?
I love the Desert Botanical Garden, especially with the temporary art exhibits. It’s a beautiful setting and a hands down favorite for the holidays. I also enjoy drives out to Saguaro Lake and a float down the river is great for scenery. Kierland and the Scottsdale Quarter have fantastic shopping and dining. And of course, Main Street and Old Town in Scottsdale for great art, dining and entertainment.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout would be my grandmother, Mary Peyton. She became an architect in the early days in a male dominated profession and overcame all odds to become extremely successful.

Website: jennywilligrod.com
Facebook: Jenny Willigrod, Artist