Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jennifer Desantis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jennifer, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I have always felt comfortable, like I could BE myself when creating art. I remember feeling this way as a child, drawing, coloring, painting, and crafting. Collage came to me at a specific time in my life, and I needed to do something healthy and constructive with my hands – my whole self really… So, here I am in 2010, finally ready to kick some really bad habits… and I started collaging at a relative’s house. They had scrapbook papers, a piece of cardboard, glue, and a TIME magazine, and gave me permission to play with it. I had dabbled in collage before, loving the creation out of destruction mode of operating, and once I started, I found I could not, and did not want to stop. I was working part time at Edible Arrangements, and had little money, and got most of my materials at the Dollar Tree and Big Lots/Ocean State Job Lots at this time. I was not thinking at all about making money off my art. It was HEALING… Sooooo. In a way, collage is like piecing bits of myself (back)together which is incredibly therapeutic. Dusty neurons were firing with vigor once again, and I was making things I liked, and was proud of! I shared a piece I made on Facebook, and an acquaintance reached out wanting to BUY IT. I was floored. Excited! And, thus, it occurred to me that this could be a THING!
It took a couple of years to hone skills and techniques (this never stops really), and also participating in group shows and pop ups, to look at this, and go: Oh it could even be a little business! As time went on, I got my EIN, and I think that was in 2014 or 15…which was when I started really keeping track of things, and branching out into making prints of my art, cards, etc. I was in Atlanta GA, and bar tending, so art was not yet a money maker per say, but was supplemental. I learned a LOT through trial and error about monetizing one’s art/craft (still am lol) – and have used social media (just FB and IG) platforms to connect with people and build clientele, as well as meet other artists/artisans.
My husband and I moved to Albuquerque NM in November of 2016, to get out of the deep South and for us both to pursue our creative endeavors. I had worked in the restaurant/bar industry for like 17 years of my life, and really wanted to see what it would be like to just get into art. What ended up happening in ABQ was that I got into a small group show at a DIY gallery downtown, and about a month later, was asked if I could help activate that gallery and host shows, etc. Without even thinking about it really, I jumped at the opportunity to do something JUST ART RELATED. I worked at that space for about 4 years. I turned 40 in 2021, and started thinking that I really needed to try art full time. The job had become more stressful than I ever wanted it to, and so I gave notice, and unlocked the doors to my first studio space in the Barelas community in May of 2021. I have been pursuing my art full time since then, and have a different, and larger studio space right now at the Motehrship Alumni, in the heart of downtown Albuquerque.

Jennifer, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Many people perceive collage as a craft (akin to scrapbooking, vision boards, etc.) I had been struggling to find a way to define collage as (fine) art. So, one day, Lord remembers exactly when, I came up with the title “Visual DJ”, which ends up being a great conversation starter, and an easy way for me to put into words what collage is! (Much like a DJ re-mixes sounds to create songs, I re-mix images and sometimes words to create imaginative visual realms.)
My husband gave me the moniker “LadyJennD” at some point (before the Visual DJ idea), and that stuck. So, that is how one can find me on the internet (@LadyJennD). With all that being said, I continue to create original (analog) collage art via hand cutting and pasting. I absolutely love the feel and smell of old papers in my hands. I have realized, though, that for me to make any kind of living through my art, that I need to constantly expand my portfolio and offerings.
I photograph my collages, and am able to translate the images into of course prints, but now I have my art available on apparel, accessories, home decor (much that is functional – i.e. coasters), drinkware, earrings, etc. I love this part of the journey! With the technology we have available, one can put their art on almost anything! I also time to time create digital collage art, but my true love is analog, and designing products with those original artworks.
For the last few years, I have dabbled in Augmented Reality too! Some of my artworks animate! This does not define me as an artist, but I did experiment with this tech early on, and still enjoy experimenting with it. It’s fun to show and tell people that their physical 2D art or print comes with this cool 3D/animation element!
I love to host collage making workshops too. Teaching and/or facilitating I think is an integral part of making a viable living as a full time artist. The connections built at these events are always super special to my heart, as I love to see what comes out of people expressing themselves through collage. As far as selling opportunities, I participate in local pop ups and gallery shows, as well as have my work in some local shops for sale! In Albuquerque, you can find my merch at the Mothership Alumni (where my studio is too!), The Squidly Store, and Nikki Zabicki’s! (More TBA)
It is definitely important to do in person events. I love opening my studio/shop to the public, and am always open during the Downtown ABQ Artwalk events. I happily accommodate special requests to view my space as well, so anyone can reach out and schedule that.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

It is so utterly rewarding to see and feel the connection made from something I created. Since collage for me has always been about inner healing, that is a large purpose of my work, if not the sole purpose. So, knowing that I created a piece of art that helped me in some way, will also help someone else in some way, is priceless. Even my cats and pups in space pieces! Those may not have a deep meaning or symbolism, but they for sure will make you smile or giggle, and that too, is a way for us to heal and feel better of course. It has been super cool seeing folks WEAR my art too! That sure makes my heart happy!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

So! I got my start selling on facebook and I continue to participate in art groups on that platform. Some are for buying and selling (I co-facilitate the “Enchantment Artisans” group where we have virtual shows 2 times a month for Southwest Artists), and some are just for sharing. I have had an artist/business page for several years, and all of that has been helpful to growing my audience, to this day. The social media landscape changes drastically and often, and that is for sure frustrating. My work does not get seen at all like it used to, and engagement in various groups is soooo up and down. I think it is important to be consistent on whatever social channels you are utilizing. I have built my audience slowly but surely on facebook and instagram for about a decade now. I choose not to pay for ads or anything like that simply because I personally don’t want my money tied to meta like that. So, all of my reach and growth is from organically, manually posting and interacting. It takes time. It can be frustrating, The algorithms make zero sense, but you can reach people if you are on these spaces consistently. Remember that consistency does not necessarily mean constantly!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ladyjennd.bigcartel.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ladyjennd
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/ladyjennd

Image Credits

The image of me holding the scissors at the outdoor booth was taken by Joe Smith Stringer