Meet Jennifer Malone

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

Jennifer, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

The first time I set up all of my work for a show, seeing it all on display before visitors came, I felt completely naked. I had only been painting for five years or so. I thought, “what did I get myself into here? Who do I think I am?”

But I had asked my instructor, friends, my husband. They all encouraged me to take the dive and enter this show. So I did. Having improved significantly in a short time, I uncovered an aptitude for creating. And knowing it was there, I worked diligently to learn as much as I could.

However, what wasn’t part of my decision to share my work was whether viewers would understand the intention in the paintings. What I was trying to convey. This dawning on me as I was setting up, was like standing there completely naked.

The show went well. And I learned that engaging with viewers is one of my favorite parts of my art practice. This is where I get confidence and self-esteem. From successfully conveying the intent of the work to the viewer.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a modern realist painter. My subjects tend to be moments in time worth remembering and are depicted in still-life and portraits primarily, with some dabbling in city and landscapes

I began painting as an experiment after my youngest of two entered full-day school. It was a great challenge. I wasn’t great at first. But I was determined. I absorbed as much as I could from anyone I could. Weekly classes, weekend workshops, books, websites, YouTube. My determination increased as my skill did. And after 14 years I have painted over three hundred pieces, most of whom live in homes that are not mine.

Now in addition painting, I have become entrenched my local art community. I have been on the Studio Tour SOMA (South Orange & Maplewood, NJ) Planning Committee for six years, three as Chair. And I am serving as Coucil Person on the Maplewood Arts Council for my second year. This year, I have decided step back a bit from volunteer work to focus on painting more.

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

Listen to your heart. Persist. Work.

Growing up we were not poor, but we were not flush. Earning money was a primary goal when I was young. And my interest in history and sociology was sated by studying economics which translated to a decade long career on Wall Street.

Praying to the money god wasn’t doing it. My soul was unfulfilled.

In my exploration for the next phase I found drawing. Determination and persistence are what got me to a point where I could decide whether to go forward, or I needed to give it up and redirect again. Keeping with it, I approached the practice as work where discipline and effort were necessary. I am happy to say it has paid off. Although, I do own too many of my own paintings.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

While my husband, Dan, is not an artist, he does admire art. He was enthusiastic when I started painting things that were recognizable. Sadly, that took a while. He has been supportive of the time and cost of this endeavor. But more importantly, he has worked with me and helped me sell my work through time spent setting up shows, agreeing to my in-home studio, and hosting events for me and other artists.

Beyond this, though, he is a wonder at understanding and managing people. This is his natural talent honed by much professional training. The lessons I have learned about interacting with and motivating people is priceless. I could not have been involved in my community to the extent that I have if not for him and this understanding.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than

Highlighter Series
What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?

We think this is an essential question because so often there is a disconnect between

Highlighter Series
Is the public version of you the real you?

We all think we’re being real—whether in public or in private—but the deeper challenge is