We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Armstrong. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.

Alright, Jennifer thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I think that the first time that I had the confidence to try to purse art on a profession level was when I when one of my works was chosen to be a part of the National Academy of Medicine’s permanent online gallery titled “Expressions of Clinician Well Being” in Washington D.C. Of course, it was an honor to be chosen to participate on such a national level but, it was the first time that I was willing to embrace the idea that someone other than my family and close friends could appreciate by art. That opportunity lead to my work being featured on the cover page of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management , December 2019 edition.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have always had a deep interested in art since childhood. I distinctly remember art class in elementary and junior high school as one of my favorite times in school . I loved the end result of creating something but, I also appreciated the journey . Because of my interest in science I chose to pursue a career in medicine but, I never left my art. I started to learn more about the drawing process during my senior year in college at USC where I took drawing 101 and 102 . I credit this exposure to drawing in helping me push my skill forward . A solid foundation in drawing has served as my basis for the artwork that I create. Although I have never taking a formal painting class, I do credit the knowledge I have gotten from art instruction books and the internet to my development in painting . I continue to evolve as we all do in art; it is a life long learning venture.

I call my company JDA Art Studios. I work in a variety of mediums including acrylic, watercolor , charcoal and conte crayon. Nature tends to be my inspiration. I enjoy creating in an impressionistic style although I have done some realism work as well . My goal is to bring a sense of peace and tranquility to the client that purchases my creations . I want my art to be an oasis that is a soothing presence in the environment in which it is displayed.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I would say the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the freedom that you have to create something that has depth , light and personality . From a blank substrate, you have the ability to make any statement, create any mood, and transform thought .

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Art and artist are too undervalued in our society , I feel that society needs to fully embrace the reality that art is important in everyone’s life and development. Often education in the arts is the first thing to be slashed from school curriculum .That makes me sad because it think of how important art class was to me in elementary and junior high and how it has had a lasting positive impact on the person that I am today.

Contact Info:

• Website: Jdaartstudios.wixsite.com/jdaartstudios
• Instagram: @Jdaartstudios
• Facebook: Jdaartstudios
• Linkedin: Jennifer Armstrong