A native Marylander with a new basecamp in Traverse City, Michigan. I think I’m going to like it here.
I’ve been documenting my creative endeavors since 2014. Thoughts on the creative process, my travels, shows, new ideas and what’s on my easel are just a few things I post on. Feel free to linger…
I am a gallery represented artist since 2004 and self taught painter and maker and live with my young(ish) family in NoMi. My husband is from Michigan and we decided to station ourselves here after Covid hit. The slow down has been a great gift and my new fresh, Northern perspective is reflected in my brighter, lighter, and less tighter, work, as seen in much looser brush work and less bullying of my paints and canvas. Lake Michigan, and particularly Leelenau Co., where we live, have been a both a point of composition and inspiration. It’s wineries, beaches, and scenic backroads and farms commendeer my thoughts each time I as I sit and start a new sketch for a painting.
I love travel by car because I can stop and snap photos at will. We’ve driven as far as Mt. Rushmore in a pick up with four kiddos in tow (33 hours one way!) so I suppose we’re braver than most. Or, just really blessed with great kids. The plan it to hit all 50 states in the pick up before the youngest graduates. We’re almost there!
We also have a neurotic Weimeraner and a young German shorthaired-pointer who will be returning to God soon if he doesn’t stop eating my furniture.
Shows/Exhibits
-*Corporate Connections 2020: National Harbor, Washington, D.C., Juried by Robert W. Madden, photographer for National Geographic Magazine.
-**BWI International Airport International Terminal. Apr-Oct 2020
-*Rising Tides 2020 Maryland Federation of Art (MFA)
-*Fall Member Show 2020 (MFA)
-Mélange II 2020 (March 17-28 at MFA)
-Collector’s Choice 2019 (MFA)
-Midsummer Madness 2019 (MFA)
-Collector’s Choice 2018 (MFA)
-*Fall Member Show 2018 (MFA)
-*Strokes of Genius 2018 (MFA)
-Fifty Forever Online, MFA’s 50th Anniversary Show.
-MFA 50th Anniversary Show 2018 (MFA)
-Mélange I 2018 (MFA)
-Collector’s Choice 2017 (MFA)
-*Maryland Hall for the Arts “All That Art Auction” 2017
-*Flora or Fauna @ Annapolis Maritime Museum 2017
-In The Bag 2017 (MFA)
-*MFA @ Gallery B 2017
-*Spring Member Show 2017
-Collector’s Choice 2015
-*MFA @ Gallery B 2015
-MFA’s Great Member Online Exhibition 2015
-**MD State House 2015 for Gov. Larry Hogan’s Inauguration
-Collector’s Choice 2014
-*MFA @ Gallery B 2014
-Collector’s Choice 2013
-*Sankofa Fine Art Plus at The Cleveland Airport May 18-Aug 1, 2011
*Juried
**Invitation only
My work was also on display at Artist’s Review Today Gallery from 2004-2010 in the Cleveland Galleria across from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Fra Angelica Gallery (Avon, Ohio location) from 2004-2008, and Mac Worthington Gallery of Contemporary Art (N. High Street Arts District, Columbus, Ohio, location) from 2008-2009.
Functional Art
My entire “Earthworms Woolens” wearable fiber art collection for three consecutive years (2015, 2016, 2017) was purchased wholesale by Fra Angelica Gallery at the 5th Street Arcades, Cleveland, Ohio (Linda Damiani- Owner). Linda also owned the Fra Angelica gallery in Avon, Ohio, and was the first to carry my paintings back in 2004.
Artist’s Statement
I am self-taught artist and began slinging paint in 1999. Mediums include acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, ink, oil, and gouache on paper and canvas. I also construct functional fiber art with found materials, primarily wool. On occasion, I also tinker with driftwood sculpture.
My work is uncomplicated in nature and construct. Playful and fluid, fresh and approachable, but compositions and hues that have garnered attention from jurors in North American shows. Since being a mother of four young ones, I try to harness the energy and uninhibited approach to life like my children do—A fearless, curious, and unwavering in the pursuit of new things.
Because I strongly believe that art is an inherent need in the lives of all, I donate work every year to various auctions at schools, churches and through the MFA. My youngest collector is thirteen (she won a watercolor at her school’s silent auction) and my farthest collector is in Victoria, Australia (she purchases handmade wool outerwear from me for her grandchildren!).
About Me
I am a proud native Marylander. My people have been residents of The Old Line State for more than three-hundred years and her hilly expanses, rocky outcroppings and munificent waters are a chronic go-to for inspiration. However, my husband is from Michigan, and after thoughtful consideration, we moved our family basecamp to Traverse City with the intent to slow down a bit from the hectic east coast pace (and ungodly traffic!). We’ve also lived in Minneapolis and Ohio, so heading back to the Midwest was a welcome change after Covid set it. My husband’s father is also very ill, and being in Traverse City will allow us to better support and be useful to family here.
Other Diversions (Revenue)…
In 2018, I returned to Gerontology (my initial field of study) as an eldercare consult. I have a master’s degree in Aging and find that my aging clients keep me just as amused and entertained as our four children do. Being an expert in aging certainly makes me appreciate life and strive to live well. It also allows me to feed the kiddos, pay the bills, and buy more paint. I work fifteen hours each week at my “real” job and devote another thirty or so hours to my artistic pursuits. I’m consulting virtually from Traverse City since our relocation.
jenniferrynbrandt@gmail.com
Traverse City, Michigan
Baltimore, Maryland