Author: Jenifer Follman

Jenifer Follman was born in Mill Valley, CA, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. Jeni moved down to Santa Monica, CA, and attended SMASH, an alternative school near Venice Beach. At the age of eight, Jeni moved to a small town outside Munich, Germany. Attending Munich International School, Jeni was taught in German along with English as a primary language. Growing up in Germany gave Jeni unique access to master works from the classical world to modern art. For university, Jeni returned to the United States and earned BAs in Liberal Studies and in Studio Art from Sonoma State University. Jeni then worked with the Peace Corps in Central Asia, in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, becoming familiar with the art and culture of ancient institutions like the Silk and Spice Road. And following, Jeni returned to the States and now lives in upstate New York and has been painting since 2021.

ARTIST STATEMENT

The curves and contours of the earth, sky, and human world in general are insatiably seductive to me. It is as if every layer of the visual world drives me to pick up a paintbrush, a stark white, smooth, blank canvas or board and begin to develop a new painting.

Since I was five years old, I have wanted to do two things in life — be a mother and be an artist.

Now, when I go into my studio to paint, I experience a sense of letting go, of being able to love my work. I start with a naked surface and absolutely no idea of what I’m about to work on. I choose my first color and begin. I experiment with shape and form letting the painting evolve. Over an hour or two, landscapes, vases with flowers, portraits of people all find their way onto my painting surface. It’s like beginning with no clothes on and painting until I’m fully dressed.