We recently connected with Jennifer Heinser and have shared our conversation below.

Jennifer, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I have known I wanted to be part of the creative field for as long as I can remember back in childhood. But it wasn’t a clear path, as most creatives know.

Upon high school graduation in 2000, I worked every job under the sun as a single mother. For eight years I bounced around jobs as a waitress, cashier, customer service rep, produce department manager, dental assistant, and tattoo shop receptionist…and a few more.

In mid-2008, my life had been somewhat flipped on its head. It seemed I needed a drastic change. Throughout my life, I have been approached by friends, family, and even random people by word-of-mouth for artistic favors, either for a small fee or usually for trade. I had friends who requested tattoo designs and still have my work on them today. I once traded free table time with a pool hall owner to paint a 5′ x 6′ mural of a dragon landing on a pool table. I giggle thinking back on these memories, as they were all giant signs pointing toward a career in art.

However, most of us artists grow up with that nagging doubt that we will become the dreaded and stereotypical “starving artist”. We fear trading our art for food, or worse—going full van Gogh and having to satiate our tummy with some cadmium paint! I tended not to admit to adults that I wanted to be an artist for most of my life, because after you experience the sighs, and the “so you think you’ll be able to live off drawings?” comments, you talk yourself into thinking there is no money in it; no decent income could be made with a brush, after all!

So, back in 2008, when everything was upended for me, I saw an ad that the local university in the small town I was living in was beginning their graphic design program that fall, and classes started in one month! I remember going home and googling “graphic design careers” and I was overwhelmed. There were HUNDREDS of ways I could use art but in a commercial and advertorial way! Why did high school guidance counselors not explain these opportunities? Why did career options end at art teacher? Even though I had grown up with a sign shop owner, I could not see the career options past that, and neither my dad nor grandfather were ‘artists’ in the sign industry, per se.

In less than 30 days, I gave myself a crash course in financial aid, applied for aid, applied to the school, was accepted, and started my first classes in eight years since high school. In fact, my son and I both put our backpacks on one morning in late August, and he went to his first day of 1st grade, and I went to my first day as a college freshman.

I knew I made the right choice when I fell in love with design, and I took on minors in art history and studio art, which become seamlessly zipped up together in a lovely foundational package. Everything seemed to fit like a jigsaw puzzle—art history gave me a foundation to connect everything in the art world and art movements in time and order of influence. My design classes prepared me for everything I would do day-to-day, and my fine art classes let me put some of that inspiration and creativity to work.

I spent years not doing what I felt called to do, but I would still not trade it for anything, considering it all prepared me for working with and juggling multiple clients, and dealing with the stresses of freelancing. Between my watercolor commission work, and clients in graphic design, I am more financially comfortable and healthy now working from home, than when I was in an office full-time. I’m just enjoying the status quo.

As the band Dirty Heads say:
“A-a-aye, I’m on vacation
Every single day ’cause I love my occupation!”

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a watercolorist and graphic designer today because my grandfather owned a sign shop and used to teach me about lettering. Also, my elementary school art teacher Mrs. Jacobs! She entered one of my drawings into a New York State art competition when I was in first grade. I won, and it made me realize art might be something I’m good at—and others think so too! She was a wonderful teacher whom I still think of to this day.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

To help artists, especially young ones thrive, let’s be sure to give those interested in the arts, a better idea of artistic careers. I think kids become timid about their talents if they come up against criticism that they won’t live on art. There are so many kinds of art, one should never assume!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think the best part of being creative is putting parts of yourself out there to live and be part of the lives of others. These pieces you put time, emotion, or caring into, and they end up on walls, of those known or unknown, to brighten days and brighten rooms for people. I think that’s a kind of magic that you don’t even have to be present for. It’s a gift you can give silently, from afar. It comes without acknowledgment or thanks, but it still fills you up the same way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jenniferheinser.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferheinser/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferheinser/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferheinser/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jennifer-heinser-watercolor-and-design-morrisville

Image Credits
Profile photo of myself by Davies Photography. All watercolors are mine, no credit needed.