Processing through Process: The Unfurling Collection
Art-making is a practice that helps me sort through and process life’s events and changes. It can feel a bit like an open-ended conversation over coffee with a close friend—the kind that helps you see a problem from all angles and land on an unexpected conclusion. The conversation between paint and canvas can even bring up strong emotions and breakthroughs: when the beauty of a mark, or a combination of colors shines a new light on a particularly tough challenge or complex experience.
Blossoming, 40” x 30”
As I’ve been working on The Unfurling Collection, my family and I are preparing for a (big!) move—from Upstate New York to Minnesota—which will place us within easy driving distance of our entire immediate family, and many wonderful friends. We’ve carefully considered the idea for years, and are overjoyed that the pieces have fallen into place. And while we’re brimming with anticipation, we’re also grieving the loss of routine with dear friends and the home we’ve grown to love in Syracuse.
Outshine, 36” x 24”
Someday, 24” x 18”
Painting the Unfurling Collection has provided that rich experience of sorting through the thoughts and feelings that come with change. The spring landscape provides a gradual unfolding of color and life outside our home that feels like a mirror image of what’s happening inside. An almost-too-perfect parallel to the unfolding of events for my family this spring, each day carries a little bit of progress toward something bigger. Short bursts of activity and celebration over the sale of our home and purchase of a new one are reflected in the first flowers to lay an accent of color over a brown-and-gray landscape. And those first flowers signal a larger change that will eventually lead to a completely new landscape, unrecognizable from those colder, grayer days of early spring.
Glorious, 30” x 15”
One of the things I appreciate most about being an artist is the control I hold over my own schedule and productivity. It was only after I left corporate work that I began to carve out space here and there to slow down and enjoy the journey, allowing time to explore. If I spend a few extra minutes lingering over an especially gnarly tree trunk, or stop to smell flowers in bloom as an add-on to my morning run, it only enriches my time outdoors and helps fuel my creative process. Time to catch up with a neighbor on the sidewalk energizes me for the task of art-making, so I welcome those experiences—rather than worry that I’ll be late for meetings. I think back on the tightly-scheduled days spent in offices behind screens, when I would forget momentarily what season it was and quickly look out a window for some clues. I’m grateful to find myself now in a stage of life where I can absorb the gradual change of seasons, living out the details through my artwork—and reflecting on nature’s poignant parallels to life’s changing rhythms.
Sweeping, 40” x 30”
This year’s spring season has held a few warm days, but has overall trended cool (and even cold) with plenty of rain. It’s provided a gentle reminder that nature takes its time, and that amongst the many aspects of life we can control, nature isn’t one of them. While the world (and news cycle) highlights the uncertainty and unpredictability of these topsy-turvy times, we can still trust that winter eventually gives way to spring. The colorful buds and orange-bellied robins will return, even when there are a few snowfalls left to go.
“Echoing”, 36” x 24”
The Unfurling Collection is available now! Jenna’s Collectors’ List members enjoy early access to this new collection (and every collection to come!), as well as occasional discounts and other perks. Be sure to join if you haven’t already!
Study for “Invitation”, diptych paintings matted in 11” x 14” frames
