Jennifer Wilner
Artist Bio
Jenn’s artwork is displayed in many public spaces, including the Tamaques Park Pavilion, Westfield, NJ and a painting of hers is currently part of the Westfield Central Avenue Public Art exhibition. In July 2020, her butterfly design was included in “Art Takes Flight”, an exhibition of 30 fiberglass butterflies displayed around downtown Westfield. That piece was the spark for her butterfly series.
Jenn was selected in May of 2024 to be the first Artist-in-Residence at the Westfield Memorial Library – a three-month residency, where she taught classes, gave presentations about her career as an an artist, as well as painting and interacting with patrons on the main floor of the library. She also had her own art show in December of 2023 at CASA by Cherry Home in Westfield.
Jenn also has a successful graphic/web design business and before a 10 year stint as a NYC advertising art director.
Artist Statement
Color is part of my soul. I love it. Each one gives me a distinctly different feeling. I am also passionate about pattern.
My parents gave me a red Christmas cookie tin when I was 3 or 4 years old full of crayons, along with coloring books and paper. They said I was free to make whatever art I wanted. The crayons and tin became my happy place and went with me everywhere. I used the crayons to make pictures full of color and pattern. I went on to receive a BFA in Communications Design from Syracuse University. My metaphorical “red tin” was now full of more creative tools to continue my journey as an artist.
As a graphic designer and web designer, I took my passion for color and pattern and built a career I love. Working with clients to make their businesses better gave me a purpose: to use my artistic talents for the good of others. Recently, I have started to do the same thing for myself, giving my “red tin” a deeper meaning — not only to create works of art that make me happy, but to use color and pattern to share with others that same sense of joy I have in my soul when I create. I want people to feel happiness when they enter a room containing one of my pieces.
My works on metal and mirrors have brought a whole new dimension – literally and figuratively, to my pop pieces and I am exploring all the ways to use this material for new and exciting work. However, I love the butterfly and all its meanings: rebirth, transformation, hope, change, life… My children used to love chasing them, too! This series of butterflies was made in collaboration with my close friend, an amazing artist in his own right, Craig Weinstein, (craigrandallcreations.com) He took my idea for a sculptural painting and engineered them into the “canvas” I am using to create this work. I hope my pieces spark some “red tin” passion in you, speak to your soul, and I hope looking at them brings you many hours of enjoyment.
