We recently connected with Jenny Klug and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenny, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

After pursuing a degree for two years in Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, I had jumped around the science department, going from Fisheries and Wildlife to Animal Science. I thoroughly enjoyed my time exploring and learning in that department, finding myself in very out of the box situations; learning to flip sheep, cleaning horses hooves, herding cattle, castrating piglets, and working on the research side of updating a marmoset enclosure. Some very cool and interesting experiences but every time I tried to imagine a career for myself in the field I couldn’t. My parents had always encouraged me to pursue happiness, and in that field I felt lost. I had always spent a lot of my free time growing up painting and drawing. My family, friends, and teachers always thought I’d pursue a career in art, but I had always protested thinking it was an unrealistic job. It’s silly to think about now, at the time I felt that society thought it wasn’t a realistic career, “the starving artist,” when really the possibilities were endless and everyone around me was super supportive of the idea, I was the only person stopping me. The week I made the change to pursue art, I had just finished a rough week of exams and had scheduled a meeting with a career counselor, my last ditch effort to stick with sciences. I was devastated (and maybe somewhat relieved) when the counselor showed me the alumni registry of where students in my major were currently working and most people ended up with unrelated jobs. Clearly this wasn’t the most accurate way of portraying the inspiring jobs that actually come with a degree in sciences, but at the time it was the confirmation I needed. I figured, if it’s going to be challenging to find a job no matter what I do then why would I pursue a career in something that doesn’t come naturally to me and that I sometimes don’t enjoy? Art came easy to me, I loved learning about it and being around those who loved it. I wanted to work hard to be better, I could see a future with it whether it be creating or teaching. It made sense and felt good. When I called my parents to tell them my new plan, there was almost a sigh of relief, as if they had been waiting for me to make that change for a while now. That next year I applied and was accepted into the School of Visual Arts. I met many amazing and inspiring creatives and never felt more at home. I graduated a few years later, moved to Utah where I spend my days painting the breathtaking landscapes of the west. Camping and hiking to bring inspiration back to the canvas is something I never dreamt of doing for a living, and I couldn’t be happier.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

After graduating college I knew I wanted to be a full time painter but also knew it would take some time for me to find my footing. I immersed myself into the art community in my home town Leesburg, Virginia. Filling my schedule with all jobs that were art related. I was surrounded by many talented artists who were doing exactly what I had dreamt of. While working as an art instructor, an art commission board member, and substitute teacher, I spent every spare moment I had painting. My subjects were mostly buildings from downtown Leesburg. Moving out to Utah I fell into the rhythm of painting consistently, and pushing my work further. My love for the outdoors and wildlife go hand and hand with my love for painting. Living in such a beautiful place, landscape painting quickly became my favorite subject. All of my work is based on reference photos I’ve taken while out exploring Utah. Oil paint on a stretched canvas is my go to medium topped with a satin varnish, and hand framed in a wood floater frame. Throughout the year I attend festivals and shows in and around Utah selling my original work as well as prints and cards. My paintings come from places that resonate with me, typically when it’s not a landscape, I’m capturing road markers like motels, restaurants, or retro signs. People who are drawn to my work can usually point out where a place is and have a story to go along with it, which is why I love festivals and shows. I get to meet and connect with new people. When I’m not working on my own collection, I also offer commission painting services, ranging from pet portraits, family portraits, to home portraits. This is where I feel I make the most difference with my craft. A lot of the time I’m painting portraits of meaningful moments and people in my clients lives, and to hear how much it means to them makes painting the best job in the world.

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

It’s an amazing feeling to have a stranger encounter my work and have it stir an emotion or memory for them. The encounter gives the painting new life. Commissions are rewarding as well because I’m tasked with bringing a memory or beloved member of the family to life through paint. It can sometimes be intimidating but ultimately pushes me to do the best work I can.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had looked into my local artist community earlier. Being a part of the artist community opens up the door to different connections. Through the community I was given the ins and outs of where to apply to have my work in shows, what studios or local businesses were looking for Instructors or art to hang up. I was introduced to professional artists which really opened my eyes to the possibilities of career options competitions and artist calls I was now in the loop for. My biggest advice would be to periodically check or sign up for your town’s newsletter, usually there will be a section for your local art commission giving you the updates on the news and opportunities in your area. Attending art openings helps with meeting artists and collectors.

Contact Info:

• Website: jennyklug.com
• Instagram: jennyklug_fineart

Image Credits
Jenny Klug