As a member of the Jen-eration, I have long been interested in all things Jennifer. I am fascinated by our notions of our individuality even though we are all just one of millions named Jennifer. I am fascinated by why I have often have had a best friend named Jennifer, as if we were some long lost twins. I am really fascinated by our stories of how we all ended up named Jennifer…I was named for the main character in the movie A Love Story. But most importantly, I am fascinated with our collective force in culture and society.
Artist Jennifer Koshbin was also interested in the Jennifer phenomenon, but from an artist’s perspective and as a result coordinated the exhibit Jen11. Jen11 is a commentary, by Jennifer on Jennifer. There are 11 contributors all named Jennifer, of course and more info can be found here.
In addition to coordinating Jen11, Jennifer is a talented artist in her own right. You may most recognize her paper-covered resin deer heads, but she is also an illustrator and creates assemblages among other things. She is most currently exhibiting at the Flight Gallery in San Antonio, Texas for a solo show and her latest work includes a large scale, blind-embossed print – entitled – Cannot See.
I am very pleased to be sharing my interview with a Jennifer who I am super proud to be sharing my name with. 😉 Please enjoy and leave some feedback…especially if you are a Jennifer!
1. What’s the name of your business, what do create and sell and how did you get your start?
The business that is most recognized is my shop Ruby’s Lounge – named after my daughter, Ruby. Here I create (close to life-size) paper and resin animal sculptures, like deer, moose, and an occasional beetle. It was the right timing in my life to start a business on Etsy, and luckily it took off nicely. Otherwise my focus in on my fine art.
2. What are your inspirations in your art and life?
I draw inspiration from mixing “low-tech” with a modern feel – old books, and illustrations, my tandem bike, minimalist vintage design, animals, seashells, as well as a whole host of artists past and present. These artists can be writers, visual artists, performance artists, musicians, etc. And of course my sweet kids raphael and ruby, and my bookish philosophy professor husband, are my biggest influences, day-in, day-out.
3. Share something completely silly about yourself?
We like to introduce my 10-year-old son to really dated late 70’s, early 80’s music, and watch him fall in love with it dancing around the house singing to himself for months. Someday he may hate us for it. Right now, it’s Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing…small town girl, living in a lonely world…
courtesy of UPPERCASE
4. Tell us about the Jen11 project.
In the last few years I noticed that so many current artists I admired share the name Jennifer. The exhibition was born from both a serious curiosity and a simple novelty. Not only are the extreme number of Jennifer’s unprecedented, but in the business press Jennifer has become targeted as The Jennifer Demographic or Jen-eration. The show can be understood as a unique experiment or as commentary, by Jennifer on Jennifer. The exhibition left artstream Gallery, now at UPPERCASE Gallery, then on to Composition Gallery this fall.
5. What blogs and mags do you read and what shops do you shop at?
Of course, Indie Fixx! And a few other artsy design blogs like Design Sponge, Craftzine, Oh Joy!, FFFound!, Art Addict, try-har-der, and I like shopping locally or at Etsy or Ebay.
6. What’s new? Any products or projects you’d like to share?
Sure! I have a few new pieces on my website including a blind embossed print that can be seen here . I also have a sound project happening. It’s a year-long phone number anyone can call, toll-free. You’ll hear a continually changing, wide-variety of talented artists – Lo-Fi Toll-Free – 1-888-REFARM -1. Call anytime, or visit www.refarmspectacle.blogspot.com.
7. What are you reading, watching and listening to?
I’m just starting the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and a variety of art history books. It’s hard to read much with little kids running around your ankles!
Listening to Langhorne Slim, Bon Iver, First Aid Kit, Bright Eyes, Elliott Smith & Nick Drake.
I hear ya. I too am a Jenn with a lot of Jennnz as friends.
i love the Jen11 project!
what a fantastic interview, full of beauty and inspiration! although i think i’ll now have “don’t stop believing” stuck in my head for the rest of the day 🙂