Jennifer Peck – Joyful Art, Coastal Collage
Jennifer Peck (b. 1967 Houston, Tx.) is a mixed media artist who constructs intricately detailed multilayered works of art, mostly out of paint and paper, with an array of other dimensional materials. Her love for coastal life inspired a recent move from Texas to the shores of Sarasota, Florida where the Gulf Coast’s beaches provide fresh inspiration. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Colorado, followed by an adventurous career directing galleries from San Francisco to Austin, she’s been exposed to an immense amount of art and ever since she has been experimenting to develop work that is authentic and unique.
After ten years operating Peck Arts gallery in Texas, she’s prioritized the creative side of an artist’s life, and now creates in her home studio. She exhibits her work in the best juried fine art fairs surrounding the Florida Coast. Jennifer has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout Texas and Florida, and is in private and public collections across the United States. Her joyful mixed media works are filled with stunning colors, fascinating textures, and playful whimsy. They celebrate the beauty of coastal living and tell a story of life at the beach!
“I love being outdoors! Observing birds, palms, flowers, and life along the coast is where the seeds of all my ideas originate, of which there are many! I have always been in awe of the ocean; its timelessness, energy, and simplicity. By the sea and under bright skies is when I feel most alive and inspired. To embrace that feeling and then express it in the studio is my intention. Each piece I create starts with a painted background. The carefully selected papers are ripped or hand-cut, then layered and collaged. This labor-intensive process involves constructing pieces with a variety of unique papers I’ve collected throughout my life.”
“Through the paper, I can offer attention to detail with a playful twist. The paper often contains text or small pictures that provide something thought-provoking, and threads of metallic papers that shine add life to the pieces. I regularly hear that my work makes people happy, and it gives me such satisfaction to be the conduit of that emotion for them. The best part of being an artist is that I feel like I can give back to life, through my work, by spreading joy to the people who view it. I hope my pieces ignite your sense of adventure and wonder of the sea, and that every home in which they hang is filled with peace and happiness.”
You’ll always see Steve supporting me at the shows, we’ve been a hardworking team for many years. He’s the guy behind the scenes at the art shows making it all happen. He drives the truck and pulls the trailer, sets up the tent and the walls, and even hangs the art; basically, he does all the hard lifting! When we’re not showing he stays busy packaging and shipping your pieces, and he’s available to help with all kinds of customers’ needs. Steve’s the one that takes the brunt of the effects of my late nights or hard days in the studio, but he always offers perspective and support. He’s authentically appreciative and excited about my work and gives me the space to do it.