We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jenny T. a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jenny, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
Optimism is often tricky to maintain, but I feel really fortunate to have been able to remain optimistic in the face of my own personal struggles along with pain that can exsist in our surroundings. It can be easy to lose heart if you’re not careful. I find that there is always something to look forward to, some little joy to celebrate, even if it’s just for a moment. Those moments tend to add up. Becoming very aware staying in the moment and paying attention to the little miracles that happen all around you are some of the ways I stay optimistic.
Creating and maintaining connections with family, friends, community and even larger groups of people is also what keeps my heart light and moving forward. I love to make friends everywhere I go or deepen my connections with familiar friends.
I spend a lot of time with my feet on the ground in nature and that really feeds into my optimism. I feel connected to the earth, and it resets me every time I step into the forest. I feel really lucky to be close enough to the forest to be able to spend a lot of time there. I am an avid trail runner and being in nature along with being able keep myself moving and healthy is really important to me.
Additionally, I am an art teacher to K-4, so that, in and of itself just breeds optimism, every day, all day long. The sheer joy that kids float around with is contageous. And the love they feel and outwardly show teachers is inspiring and uplifting.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I have been running my Jenny T. Arts biz for over 20 years. I have made jewelry, paintings, clocks, woodburned and leather items, watercolor and acrylic, illustrations, logos and much more. I also have been an art teacher in many capacities for over 30 years.
As an artist and a teacher of all ages, my goal is to create environments and avenues that help people feel comfortable and confident in the act of being creative. In all of my roles as an art teacher, art coach, or art guide is to provide opportunities for students to see and achieve creative success as well as to help reframe what students see as creative success.
A lot of people say they’re “not an artist” or “I can only draw stick figures”. In my school, workshops and private art lessons, I help my students learn a new perspective for their innate creative energy and I push process art. I also help build art skills but starting with the creative confidence building and opening up the doors to each student’s unique creative process and developing styles.
In my own art practice, I have moved into lots of colorful abstracts and mixed media which often can include botanicals and pollinators along with my local landscapes and more.
I am wrapping up a three month exhibit at ‘Tis Gallery called “Uplifting”, I just finished my biggest piece yet (3 feet by 4 feet) in a monochromatic theme. I will be continuing to conduct workshops for all ages that I like to call “Art Labs” where I guide a themed process art project. I will be conducting art camps this summer as I have done for over 20 years. This year I am bring in some more aspects to include music, theater and more!
I will also participate in the studio tour again this year at ‘Tis Annex.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think the things that are the most impactful qualities are knowing your worth, connecting with people in a real authentic way and knowing your limits (what your strengths are and when to delegate stuff you’re not as good at).
Knowing your worth is a skill that takes years depending on who you are and what your life experiences are, but the sooner you can see and believe how amazing you are the better. Listening you your guts and heart is hard when you have outsiders creating static. It is important to get outside perspectives but ultimately listening and trusting yourself is really important, especially in creative fields.
Connecting with people in an authentic, genuine way I think has immeasurable benefits for anyone involved and even has ripple effects that last in a community and beyond. Creating relationships that are supportive and collaborative are fulfilling and create a sense of belonging. This can empower someone to take the next step toward something new.
Recognizing the skills within your wheelhouse regarding your business is important. Knowing when to pull in various expertise is valuable. When you are an entrepreneur it’s hard to delegate because of taking ownership for all of the aspects of the business but when we realize someone might be able to help in areas we may be lacking in, this allows us to use our unique energies in the directions we are most experienced and let someone we trust tackle areas that are necessary but where we could use a little assistance.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents are amazing people. They attended every event from track meets and volleyball games to musical performances and art shows throughout my days in elementary, middle and high school. Anything I took on or tried was cheered on by both of my parents. The cheering came with warnings, advice, and wisdom but they have always, always been there to support me. To this day, they still show up to my gallery openings and events, along with my school art events and displays. They show their pride by showing up and authentically and brag everywhere they go. It’s very sweet and although I have a breathtakingly wonderful supportive community of friends, I always know I have someone in my corner, cheering me on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jennyt.com
- Instagram: jennyt.arts
- Facebook: Jenny T. Designs
Image Credits
I took all those photos
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
