We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jenny Toth. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jenny below.
Jenny, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
When I started graduate school at Yale, I felt like someone had made a mistake by letting me in. I was fresh out of a liberal arts college and hadn’t developed a strong sense of who I was as an artist. I hadn’t worked much independently and hadn’t created a cohesive body of work yet. I was intimidated by the knowledge, skill and incredible talent of my classmates, and mostly felt embarrassed and unsure of myself. My paintings got worse and worse as my anxiety deepened. My first semester ended with a humiliating final critique. Of course, the reality is I had been admitted against incredible odds, I had gone through a rigorous interview and reviews. Someone or some faculty had felt I was worthy, but I didn’t feel that way.
I had such a hard time returning for the spring semester. However, I was determined not to fail, not to give up such an incredible opportunity and degree. And I got a cat. This seems silly, but having that comforting companion to return home to was a big help. And at the start of the semester, I found two legendary instructors who encouraged me and made me feel slightly less intimidated. Nonetheless, I decided to do the unthinkable after my first year—I took a two year leave of absence to develop my artistic voice. To my knowledge no one had done that before, and Yale was kind enough to allow it. I attended The New York Studio School for those two years, where I bolstered my knowledge and confidence. I spent three months in India where I had adventures and experienced new kinds of art. I adopted a friendly pitbull. I returned to Yale and finished my degree, even winning an award at graduation. I never felt entirely comfortable, or particularly confident, but I felt proud of what I had accomplished.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am an artist who works in many different media: oil painting, ceramics, fabric and collage. I am currently in two group shows one in New York City at Zurcher Gallery, and one in Massachusetts at Marble Head Arts Association. I am also a professor of art at a small liberal arts college.
I am also a mother, wife, dog owner, cancer survivor, traveler, lover of adventure and all animals.
What I love about what I do is the joy in creating my own art and sharing that joy with others–whether that be through teaching or in sharing my work. Creating art is hard work, and sometimes I feel frustrated, stuck, and/or disappointed. But then a crazy idea occurs to me, or something clicks, and I surprise myself and feel very engaged in what I’m doing. Feeling absorbed in your work and surprising yourself are deeply satisfying emotions.
Please check out my website at jennytoth.com or contact me at [email protected]
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
If you are interested in pursuing art, you need to make art. Spend time practicing, learning what interests you, take classes, and visit museums and galleries. Try keeping a sketchbook where you can draw badly and it is low stakes. Mostly it’s about time and practice. Finding a community helps, whether that is by taking a class, being a part of a ceramics studio, having a studio in a place where other artists are working, or having a critique group.
To be an interesting artist you do not need to draw realistically, or make images that look photographic, although some interesting artists can and do do that. Instead value your own voice and way of making images, enjoying your own quirks and style. Effort pays off, and the viewer will be interested if you were deeply engaged in your creative process.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The biggest obstacle I am facing is probably one that many are facing, and that is time. As a mother of two school-aged boys, pet owner and full time professor, I find it is hard to have the time to pursue all my artistic projects.
I want to be working in relief sculpture, ceramic sculpture and finish illustrating a book I created, all at the same time. However, teaching full time takes a lot of energy and puts demands on my time in and out of the classroom. Sometimes when I have more unscheduled time I get caught up in doing something less productive, or at least not productive in these ways. For example, this summer I have found myself spending countless hours trying to manage the behavior problems of a shelter dog we took in. As someone who is just past middle age and has been treated for breast cancer, I also feel time in a bigger way as I am more aware of the limited time of working years ahead of me.
Finding ways to make peace with my ambitions and my limitations is something I continue to try to resolve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jennytoth.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyltoth/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennyltoth
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-toth-481b77152
Image Credits
Jenny Toth (myself)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
