We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jen Hellman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jen below.
Hi Jen, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?
Early in the 1990’s, I’d taken my Nikon on a 1200-mile drive through the Rocky Mountains and returned with some lovely photos of the various rock faces. I unearthed one photo that stood out to me for its striking sedimentary layers of green, pink and yellow. I remember having the feeling that I wished I could make it into something more dimensional. I hung it on my wall and stared at it every time I walked by.
One morning I woke up with an idea. I was on to something that would be special and unique. I went to my local photo printers and asked her to print out dozens of 4×6 prints of the image, and dozens of 4×6 prints of the reverse of the same image. She looked confused but I took them home and, with a lot of trial and error, and a whole pack of post-its, put together the first creation that became the basis for the next twenty years of my life. I called them Photomosaics. I began shooting images with a new eye, finding subject matter that began as ordinary, but I could envision as extraordinary after my process.
For instance, I captured the fender of a 46 Hudson. I placed all the printed pictures on a table and moved them around like chess pieces until I was happy with my design. I then adhered all the photos – one by one – to a board resulting in a multi-faceted abstract piece of art.
I wanted to keep pushing the envelope with my concept and mounted it under acrylic, which gave it a refined appearance. I then mounted the acrylic to a bigger frame of aluminum to give the feel of a car. This began more experimentation with other materials and ways of expressing dimensionality of the Photomosaics. I diversified my materials to include steel, fabric, wood, tile, even mother of Pearl. But the heart of the piece is always a Photographically based mosaic.
My unique idea came with an unusual problem; not having anyone to go to for answers. I was breaking new ground and had to learn by trial and error. Initially the level of error and frustration was great. But I always had persistence – no matter the time or cost or frustration, I’d figure it out and get it done.
Jen, 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?
I grew up near New York City surrounded by a family of creatives. My mother was a modern dancer and poet. My father – though an author who published 30 books on science and technology – was an avid photographer with a dark room in our basement, and I used to watch him magically develop his photos in big bins of chemicals. As a child, I was into everything: I loved the creative arts from an early age and was always excited when I came up with a unique idea and brought it to life in some way. In High School, I studied ballet and the arts but I always seemed to have an extra-special affinity for photographs and image-making.
One year my dad gave me one of his good cameras: a Nikon. He tried to teach me the settings but at the time I felt it blocked my creative process having to think about all of that, so to his (purist) chagrin, I avoided it. I then went off to Bennington College in Vermont and graduated with a literature and creative writing degree. What to do with all this passion for creative expression? I wasn’t sure yet. I was all over the place. I had been a varsity gymnast in high school, so I took a whole other direction. I combined my dream of living at the beach with a love of sports, and moved to Southern CA to pursue a master’s degree in Sports Medicine.
Shortly after graduation, my mother, back East, developed cancer. I left my life in CA to be with her, and to help my father care for her at home until her passing six months later in 2000. I remember one day near the end where my mother seemed to be in a coma-like state and, out of the blue began reciting poetic thoughts, one after another. My Dad and I looked at each other stunned. My father took out a notepad and began recording the pearls coming from her mouth. This is her birthright, I thought. And I then knew clearly what mine was. I had spent seven years getting a degree in something I enjoyed, but mostly did it because I thought I should.
After her death, it became crystal clear that we really don’t know what our futures bring. It was a wakeup call. I knew I needed to follow my heart, return and concentrate fully on my birthright. It doesn’t go away. I’m a creative. I made the decision then to focus my heart and soul into what sparked the most joy for myself and others around me. I upgraded my camera and invested in many lenses. I broke down and finally learned my settings with the help of classes and hundreds of hours of shooting experience. It has been the best investment of my life.
In addition, I express my images in another, truly unique manner called Photomosaics. Still photographically based, I create resin-finished works of art with repetition of one image in to a mosaic. I often add materials such as woods and metals to make multi-dimensional pieces that are created to hang on a wall and will always start a conversation when viewed.
My greatest passion is global travel, and six years ago I joined a photography organization with whom I take trips to many inspiring places. My purpose in life is returning from somewhere new with heart-stopping photographs to share, exhibit and sell. I often print these images as large acrylic pieces, which are wonderful in residential and commercial spaces. I am most moved and inspired by nature, wildlife, human moments and architecture. But I’m always thrilled to return home to my beautiful beach community in California’s South Bay, which also offers endless possibilities with our gorgeous beach sunsets and piers.
As the years pass, the expression of my images keeps evolving, but my lifelong journey of creativity will always begin behind the lens of my camera.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Resilience is a quality I had to learn early in life. I was born legally blind in one eye and had to wear a black patch for over a year. I was bullied excessively and had to find ways to navigate surviving in the world from an early age.
Last year in 2023 I visited Thailand and Cambodia. I went with my photography organization (#creativephotoacademy) and both countries were magnificent in what they offered photographically and culturally. However, it was one of the most challenging experiences I’ve ever had as a photographer.
We began in Thailand for the first week. Immediately, it was apparent to me that I didn’t do well in very high, humid temperatures. I was also experiencing motion sickness due to the hours of driving up winding roads at high altitude to various temples. The temples also required extra layers of clothing so as not to bare shoulders and legs, which of course I respected but it was quite difficult for me as I was already so over-heated.
When we finally arrived at our locations and walked to the different points of interest, any photography equipment I was carrying seemed twice its weight on my body.
Everything created a perfect storm for me to feel incredibly sick. I couldn’t eat and had very little energy that whole week. But I knew I probably would not be returning to this country as there were so many more for me to experience, so I was determined to give it all I had to get some great shots. I stayed with my group. I dug deep. I breathed deeply, took it moment by moment and did my best to get in the zone. I kept repeating to myself, ‘I’m so grateful to be part of such a beautiful experience. This too shall pass.” My fellow photographers did their best to care for me, which I’ll never forget. I focused on what I wanted my outcome to be: beautiful photos that I would show and sell. I relied on some level of skill to allow some semblance of clear-thinking. And it did pass. It paid off. Somehow, I’ll never know how, but I got some wonderful shots. Not all of them – some I will grieve forever that I was too sick to get – but I gave it my all, and I persevered.
The last day in Thailand, I began to feel better, and felt more hopeful for Cambodia. But in the airport on the way there, maybe with slower reflexes from my tough week, one of my two bags got stuck on the revolving escalator step and pulled me backwards head-first, all the way down to the bottom. That bag and the other heavier one filled with my photography equipment flew up in the air and landed on my leg. My head hit the side of the escalator the entire way down.
I was able to make it to Cambodia and received treatment in an urgent care center. No broken bones, but a very bloody arm and a substantial leg hematoma made walking and climbing difficult for a few days. But I walked and climbed anyway. I got some great shots.
My mishaps didn’t end there; I’ll share one that didn’t require the same level of resilience … but always brings a laugh.
The first day we spent over an hour at the Cambodian consulate obtaining special passes to get into the temples. We drove for hours to the top of the hill. Immediately, within moments of entering the temple in Angkor Thom, a monkey jumped on my chest, yanked my pass from around my neck and ran up a tree. I was so happy he didn’t get my camera that I didn’t notice him pulling the pass out from its plastic casing, tearing it into shreds and eating it. That last part I wasn’t expecting. I thought I could cajole him into dropping it back down to me with a banana. But no such luck. We all had to return to the consulate to get a new pass just for me. The good news is someone got a fantastic shot of the monkey on my chest grabbing the pass, which I absolutely love.
This experience was truly a test of my inner strength. But I came home alive, full of gorgeous photos and, yes, a good story of resilience.
No matter what, I’ll always do what I can possibly do to get the shot.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
As an artist, I seem to have a good eye for finding unusual photographic moments. I am hearing “quality”, and “the real deal photography” from viewers. “It brought tears to my eyes”… these are the words I am happy are part of my reputation.
In addition, what I do with my Photomosaics is definitely quite unique and has separated me. It elicits conversation and interest. But I feel one of my greatest assets has always been my love and passion for what I do, and how that translates in relating to my viewers. There’s no difference between Tuesday and Sunday for me, I always want to be pushing forward with my creative self. I put so much loving-care into creating my pieces, and people feel it. I love the conversations that happen. Maybe they have a story to share with me … and I really like that. Often a sale happens at this point, because it is connected to a positive emotion. Art and photography is about eliciting emotion, which is why I love it so much… every piece is a story, and I love how each one speaks differently to me and everyone who sees one.
This was also re-iterated in a seminar I decided to try a few years back. I was always uncomfortable “selling” my wares until I stopped looking at it like that. I’m offering potential buyers the opportunity to make them happy and improve their lives in some way. This really spoke to me. It has made me see things differently. I do need to make my living, but it’s all about relationships and connecting, and bringing something beautiful into their lives. People are looking for that! I’ve found that this is a big part of what makes a sale. Much of my work is through referrals and repeat buyers. I will go the distance to make my art buyers happy… I don’t want to be taken advantage of, but that is much more important to me than making the most money I can make. I think people like to be around that.
I belong to a local artist’s collective called “Indivisible Arts”, which has given me quite a bit of exposure in the past six years. I really believe in joining organizations and connecting with others in your field of interest. I love staying inspired by all the photographers and artists around me doing great things.
I also meet for coffee weekly with some local artists to support each other.
Lastly, I am very determined. I work very hard at growing my business and spend long hours bettering my craft. I have invested in a mentor for years, which helps hone my skills and gets me through my big struggles.
Please visit my website to see more of what I do. (www.jenhellmanart.com)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jenhellmanart.com
- Instagram: @jenhellmanart
