Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Keim.
Hi Jennifer, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started in 4th grade when my parents placed me in a summer art camp at the Columbus Museum. The instructor, Jill Chancey Philips, mentioned to my parents that I had something special and from there, I had private art lessons until I left for college. I had two years at Auburn where I double majored in Veterinarian medicine and Art. I soon found that my love for animals was better spent painting their beauty rather than healing them. I lost interest after Microbiology 🙂 I then transferred to UGA where I graduated with a BFA in Drawing and Painting.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Every day is a learning lesson in the art world, especially owning your own business. I take those learning lessons as an opportunity to grow rather than shrink. You have to have a thick skin in the art world. You’re putting your heart and soul out for the world to see and it’s not always accepted or appreciated. Critiques classes in school helped toughen me up. However, don’t get me wrong, I’m not all tough talk!!!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a Fine Artist & Lifestyle Designer Specializing in Colorful Original Art and Hand Painted Textiles using a traditional form, impressionistic brushstrokes and innovative applications.
I love to work in oils, pastels and gouache mixed media. There’s a painting technique and drawing technique, both of which I love creating daily. Right now if you were visit my studio, you’ll see exotic animal pieces, horse racing, Fly Guys and textiles! Along with florals scattered around because who doesn’t love florals! These are my main collections and what I would essentially be “known” for. My passion for the exotic animals is bursting in the studio with my Generation WILD Collection. Our trip to South Africa sparked a whole new inspiration drive and I find myself always creating animals. They bring life to me! If I’m ever in a rut of what to paint, I always gravitate to animals to stir the creative juices. Off To The Races is another collection you’ll see in my studio. I fell in love with the energy of a horserace! Art in motion is the best way to explain this collection with the quick gestural strokes and splatters of paint representing the kickup from the hooves. I always hear the announcers in my head call out the race when I paint this collection! I started painting FLY GUYS last November from my grandfather’s tie box that was given to him as a gift. These little lures blow me away with their personalities! I like to have fun with color on these. One of my favorite finishing touches I do with these works is the framing. I sew them onto a linen canvas, which I Leo honoring the art of fly tying! I had no idea is was such a thing until I started painting them and reading about them!!! It’s quite the art in itself! Lastly, my hand-painted textiles. I hand paint EVER single piece of fabric! This sets me apart from the others! I take pride in painting every piece or art and textile!! All of my work is original. I started painting textiles when I was pregnant with my daughter 10 years ago because I couldn’t paint with oils or pastels due to the toxins. So I found tactile painting as an outlet and it alL started with a painted tea towel and from there I created this whole textile line! I have hand-painted eyelash scarves, linen cocktail napkins, linen tableware, pillows and even lampshades! All hand painted! Color combos drive me wild so I love exploring. Each piece is one of a kind pieces are art!
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
People often comment on my range of work in mediums and subjects. That’s just me! I love to bounce around and always find inspiration with moments in life. But as a health concern, I have to dabble in different mediums. My body became toxic due to years and years of constant absorption of toxic chemicals in oils, solutions and pastels. Gradually I started to show signs of oddities between face swelling and spots of my body, I called them my episodes and funky patches. It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my second child six years ago that I realized what was happening. I cleaned up with a year out of the studio and gut cleanse and 🤞🏻 I have not experienced any signs. I still paint in oils, I LOVE oils but now I wear gloves and try to contain my space where I’m not covered in it! And I still use pastels! I just now invested in a very fancy air purification system! I basically got smarter and more aware on my health and exposure. So I’ll go in spurts where I’ll work in oils and then break for a few days/week to explore my works on paper. I call these my breathing breaks! Within one day, I could have as many as 10 pieces in working order! Jumping from one layer at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.JKEIM.com
- Instagram: @JKeimStudio
- Facebook: @JKeimStudio
Image Credits
Morgan Beatton
