Jennifer Kosharek shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Jennifer , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Summer in Alaska is midnight sun and a foraging utopia. I am spending time, outside of work, picking berries & flowers to make tea and jelly! I was in Cordova, Alaska last weekend and had the pleasure of picking Salmon berries. I made two batches of jam!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Kosharek Art is my brand name but people call me Jenny Jo, Koshie, Shark, Skeeter… I believe in art for the masses that doesn’t match your couch. I do a lot of street art murals in spray paint and have notoriously participated in underground movements like: mail art, free art Friday, sketchbook project, Artist vending machines, graffiti, slaps (stickers), zine making and the making of ART. I grew up, lived and worked in St. Petersburg, FL and was the first female street artist to paint walls there. It’s now a booming art destination. About four years ago I sold mostly everything and moved to Alaska.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Two of my biggest supporters were my Grandmother Lucille and my middle school art teacher, Mrs. Sinclair. I think I chose a path of art because my Grandmother was so loving and encouraging. Mrs. Sinclair was a strong black woman who gave me a path forward. She let me spend my lunches making art in 6th and 7th grade. She entered my work into Scholastic Art shows and gave me unlimited use of clay. She treated me like I was special. For a spectrum kid with a high IQ and not knowing quite how to fit it… this did wonders for me. To have someone believe in you… is pure magic.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I want to give up about once a year on my art career. Being a full time artist, marketer, vendor, maker, accountant, website upkeep, etc… all the things can be so overwhelming. And then I will hit a rut–when no one is buying… and I have a good cry. Generally, things pick up the next day. I believe the universe is just testing me. I am hoping that I pass the test and maybe have faith instead of a meltdown. Just being real with ya’ll.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
Be you, paint the way you paint, make the way you make. I go to events and festivals/markets and there will be a type of art that is sold… and it all looks the same. And yeah, maybe that is what the kids these days are buying… but, it’s not original and it’s not “you.” I cannot stress how important your line is… your color, your theme and your compositions. I feel like social media drives this idea of what “cool” is and what sells. As artists… I hope we strive to be ourselves. In art–there are no wrong answers.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop working any part time job. Currently I work part time at an art gallery–talking to clients and selling other people’s art. So if I knew I had 10 years left–I would paint 24/7 and write that book that I have started and do the illustrations. I would travel to Paris and Japan and any place in between… keeping detailed sketchbooks and having adventures.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kosharekart.clued.xyz
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kosharekart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evenoddgallery
Image Credits
Picture of the sketchbook with sticks is by: Jeremy Pataky, all other photos are by Jennifer Kosharek
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
