My name is Jenny Smith and I am a freelance artist living in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. My family and I recently moved to the Milwaukee area from Dallas, Texas where I was an art teacher for the past 8 years. Prior to teaching, I attended the University of Oklahoma where I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications.

Even though my background is in graphic design, printing is my first love. With Serigraphy and linoleum block printing I enjoy thinking about the various layers of a design, and how to break it apart into pieces, which then become their own interesting works of art. When illustrating I feel most connected to my work when it is hand rendered directly onto the screen or block. Using screen fill to block out feels painterly to me as if the screen is actually a canvas. I like experimenting with color and seeing what inks can be mixed in a can or on paper when layered.

I am inspired by experiences in life through which I rely upon a strong visual memory to create artistic imagery. I observe people and objects in high contrast and try to simplify yet stylize them as much as possible. I am realizing that my training as a graphic artist plays heavily into the prints I create. My work in linoleum block printing as well as Serigraphy is hand rendered. My illustrations tend to be large, bold, playful and colorful, with a lot of movement, texture and rhythm.

I have just opened my store on Etsy and after twenty years away from creating art I am relishing the opportunity! I am in a fun, exploratory phase of artistic expression and I hope you can feel the energy in my work. I like to say that I am discovering my style, but as I create, I realize that my style of work has always been there, it is just evolving. I am excited about the possibilities in free lancing, and I am blessed to have a second go at a career in art!