Jenifer Follman

Bio

Imaginative and dynamic fine artist, Jeni has a passion for expanding the limit of creative expression. Jeni uses the union of realism and abstraction to visually explore the emotional and psychological existence of humanity. Jeni was born in San Francisco, California. At the age of eight, Jeni moved to Germany. For university Jeni earned BA’s in Liberal Studies and Studio Art from Sonoma State University. After which Jeni worked with the Peace Corps in Central Asia. Jeni returned to the States and now lives in Upstate New York and has been painting since 2021.

Statement

The curves and contours of the earth, sky, and human world in general are insatiably seductive to me. It is as if every layer of the visual world drives me to pick up a paintbrush, a stark white, smooth, blank canvas or board and begin to develop a new painting. Since I was five years old I have wanted to do two things in life— be a mother and be an artist. Now, when I go into my studio to paint, I experience a sense of letting go, of being able to love my work. I start with a naked surface and absolutely no idea of what I’m about to work on. I choose my first color and begin. I experiment with shape and form letting the painting evolve. Over an hour or two, landscapes, vases with flowers, portraits of people all find their way onto my painting surface. It’s like beginning with no clothes on and painting until I’m fully dressed.