Jen Ferry
Staff Maker Monday
About the Artist
Name Jen Ferry
Medium(s): Paintiing
Years creating: 2004
SCAA member: 2003
Based in: Wakefield, RI
Website: jenferry.com
Instagram: @jenferry
Facebook: Jennifer Adotte Ferry
Click an image to view slideshow
Where are you from, and what do you make?
I grew up in a small town (population 2,500) in the northwest corner of Connecticut just south of the Berkshires. I’m a painter.
How long have you been seriously pursuing art?
In my 20s, I had worked as a graphic designer which was a creative outlet for me. When my daughter was born, I became a stay-at-home mom and had an urge to start creating again. I had always wanted to learn how to paint so I went to the local arts supply store, bought an easel and some acrylic paints, and began teaching myself.
What inspires you to create?
t goes back to my childhood growing up in the woods and surrounded by nature. I paint lots of trees, mountains, flowers, lakes, and birds. I’ve been living by the ocean for 25 years but I have never painted the beach. That’s why I think it goes deeper, there’s something about painting home that comforts me.
Which artist outside of your chosen medium has had the most impact on your art? What do they do and in what way do they influence you?
I visited Taliesin West a lot while I was attending Arizona State University. It’s a house Frank Lloyd Wright designed and built which he called his “desert utopia.” It’s a series of structures integrated into the desert landscape and constructed from natural materials. It emphasizes harmony between human habitation and nature. The idea of integrating nature into our lives resonates with me. I feel the most alive when I’m in nature, it’s what I paint, and it’s where I go to feel calm.
Is there a work of art that has changed your life or how you view the world in some way?
I don’t think there’s one work of art that has changed my life but what has given me a unique perspective is the amount of artwork that I’ve seen come through the doors of SCAA. This is what I’ve learned. Artists work alone and what they create is deeply personal. For most, sharing their art is really hard. But they still do it. Which, to me, says the importance of putting themselves out there is more important than their inner critic. The inherent need to connect with others outweighs their fear of nonacceptance. It’s brave. It’s taught me that art has its own language and serves as a bridge to human connection.
As a member of SCAA, what do you like most about us?
That I’ve found my tribe.
Tell us a joke
Roberto paused to admire his work, never before had he plastered a ceiling so beautifully.
Minutes later a young punk named Michaelangelo would ruin everything.