Meet Jenni Horne

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jenni Horne. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jenni below.

Jenni, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Overcoming imposter syndrome in my artistic journey has been deeply rooted in my commitment to honesty and authenticity within my practice. Each time I step into the studio, I bring along a sketchbook filled with original ideas and compositions, serving as a testament to my unique creative voice. By refusing to lie to the canvas—avoiding imitations and staying true to my own concepts—I reinforce my confidence and sense of identity as an artist. This practice not only allows me to express myself genuinely but also silences the doubts and fears of inadequacy. The process of translating my sketches into finished works becomes an act of self-affirmation, reminding me that my creativity and vision are valid and worthy.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I live an idyllic creative life in a historic Victorian Cottage in Newnan, Georgia. We call it the “House of Hearts”. I share this home with my husband Billy and a delightful assortment of pets: Chase, Lawrence, Graham Cracker, George Bush, and JR. As an art professor at the University of West Georgia, most of my year is spent in the painting studio on campus teaching and mentoring aspiring artists. I spend the days I’m not on campus in my home studio. I’ve always had a studio in my home, it serves as a place of comfort and nurturing not only for my family but for my creative heart as well. Following our son’s college graduation and move to his own home, I transformed his former bedroom into a vibrant studio space. Here, I devote myself to painting primarily expressive figurative art. My artistic practice is both disciplined and dynamic. I love to fill sketchbooks with ideas, or my “bank” as I call them. A person can’t withdraw money from a bank without first making deposits, I feel the same for my creativity. It flourishes because I’m continually adding to my sketchbook. My mind is always buzzing with new ideas and ways to express myself. Recently, I’ve expanded my creative repertoire to include dioramas, drawing on fond childhood memories of imaginative play with paper dolls and Sears Catalogs with my little sister Molly. This new collection will contain dioramas, framed pieces, and larger works on canvas. Each piece is rich in layers of paint, collage, and mark-making. I intend to apply to a few outdoor art shows once completed so an audience can experience the work in person and allow me to share each piece’s story.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three qualities that have had the most significant impact on my journey are my creative thinking, dedication to teaching others to create, and persistence and consistency in always showing up for myself in the creative journey. Creative thinking allows me to be innovative and develop unique designs that distinguish my work from others. Sharing my love of art with others through teaching spreads the joy of creating, and deepens my understanding and mastery of the craft. By showing up consistently and persistently, I have gained momentum and kept growing, no matter the challenges. These qualities together have made my journey rewarding and impactful.

Based on my experiences, my advice to others embarking on their creative journey would be to cultivate and embrace their creative thinking, share their knowledge, and persistently show up every day, regardless of the challenges they face or limitations they feel they have. My last studio was a mere 80 sq feet….don’t let limitations like not having a studio stop you from becoming an artist. Don’t be afraid to share your techniques with others, this not only spreads the joy of creation but also reinforces your skills and knowledge. Persistence and consistency are crucial; showing up daily and pushing through obstacles will ensure continuous growth and progress.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

The number one obstacle I’m currently facing is the overwhelming abundance of ideas in my sketchbooks (and head honestly) coupled with the limited time to bring them all to fruition. I love being a teacher, but this divides my time and creative bandwidth. This challenge makes it difficult to focus and complete projects, often leaving many concepts unrealized. I have a studio full of potential if only time was as endless. Finding the right niche for selling my work adds another layer of complexity. The perfect market that appreciates and values my unique creations is crucial for success. This process requires careful research and quite honestly, a lot of patience. I believe in my work and the potential for it to be embraced by a larger audience.

I’ve implemented a structured approach to manage my creativity to help overcome the challenge of too many ideas and limited time. I’ve always been a list maker and multitasker. I’m setting aside mornings this summer to complete unfinished work and start new pieces. I’ve also joined the Women United Art Movement directory, and enrolled in Mona Lerch’s “Unlocking Potential E-Course” to provide better insight and direction for applying to shows and selling my art.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jennihorne.com
• Instagram: @artsyorange
• Facebook: jennihorneart