We recently connected with Jennifer Maples and have shared our conversation below.
Jennifer , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
It’s great to be able to say yes I am able to earn a full-time living from art. It wasn’t easy at first. I was a full time Sr Mortgage processor who was stressed out and felt that I was working to pay bills and was very unhappy. So in 2020 my therapist asked what do I do for fun. I didn’t have an answer except I like to party and bowl but I explained how bowling has become stressful due to the loss of my dad in 2016. I explained my love for the sport wasn’t there and that I only did because it was all I knew. But I told my therapist that I love art and I have been drawing since I was about 5. So she suggested that I go back into art to find myself.
So in 2021 I walked away from my Sr Mortgage Processor position and I started painting but it was just me “spitting” my thoughts and feelings on canvas. Just random art. Towards the end of 2021 and 2022 I decided to start focusing in on more positive art because I personally needed to surround myself with positive images to help me with my mental health.
In 2023, I changed my course of action and finally placed my life on canvas. Pulling back all of the bandaids about me being molested. Discussing more of my mental health and that I suffer from depression, anxiety, PTSD, multiple personality disorder, and ADHD. In many ways I exposed who I am and being unapologetic about introducing the full real me.
In 2024 I put myself through more challenges and was able to be 1 of 20 artist selected by Detroit City Walls to complete a DCleat for the NFL. I also entered into more exhibitions that lead to my first piece selling at then Detroit Artist Market “Hot DAM” exhibition. I sold my 2nd piece at the Detroit Bas Blue exhibition. With putting myself out there more and not allowing my introvert side to hold me back is allowing me to go places I would have said years ago “no I’m okay, I think I rather stay where I’m comfortable”. But no, with the walk of faith and challenging myself to do more has had some great end results. It’s “scary” but once I breathe, it’s like Nike. “Just do it”. So I do it!
This journey all started with $500 in my account and me taking a leap of faith and believing that I can become a great artist if I just take the same energy I was giving my employer and invest that into myself. And push myself through all obstacles no matter what is thrown at me. I will succeed and the only person standing in my way is ME. Knowing all that I know now, I still wouldn’t change the process of this journey only because a lot of lessons were learned. It helped to make me a stronger more focused artist. And to believe in myself and always bet on me.
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?
I have always been a creative person. So it was just me finding my people/ circle to be around that would help pull me out of me. Going through therapy and discovering I had no positive outlet made me want to restructure my life in many ways. Adding more of what I love and taking away what I thought made me happy.
I provide canvas art, wearable art, and slowly picking up photography so that I can one day incorporate that into my art as well as mixed media.
The thing that sets me apart from other artist is I love to do something called “trap fine art”. I love to give that street art with fine art mixed. Something that will not only attract the eye but also pull you closer to wondering what is the story behind the painting. Making you wonder what were my feelings, thoughts, and emotions. I love to paint a story of my reality with words. Being dyslexic I love to sometimes incorporate words within my art to sometimes give that visual of how I see words. It sometimes makes me feel like a story teller just telling my story with words or quotes. I don’t shy away from my mental health but embrace it and allow it to flow on canvas because ART IS MY THERAPY. It’s my time to release and let go. To breathe. To be free. To be ME!
I’m most proud of my growth as an artist. Never did I ever think I would have come this far by just painting my life. I don’t want to be famous I honestly just want my art to reach those it’s suppose to and for it to inspire others to share their story in whatever creative way they know whether it’s through poetry, art, performing art, music, etc. Never be afraid to share your authentic self with the world!
My brand started off as Reckless Love. A story of how I didn’t love myself properly. How instead of loving on me I misused myself which gave permission to others to mistreat me. Art is my therapy is the 2nd part of my brand which is about healing, being a survivor of suicide, and never giving up. With both brands you are introduced to 2 of my personalities. Jenn is the one who lived reckless and is now learning to correct that. Art is my therapy is my inner child Kristine healing. She’s the core of my artistry because she’s my feelings and emotions I suppressed for many years. So now I am allowing her to shine and be free to be her!
I hope the more I share through art, the more people I attract that will be inspired to want to share their story whether it’s with me or with the world. Sometimes we as humans need to let that baggage go! A good cry session, scream, whatever it takes to make your spirit feel better. Let it go! All it takes is a mustard seed of faith to get things moving! Once it’s moving never give up and never look back! Allow life to go into a flow where the worries, fears, and stress you give it to God and watch how he moves through you and pours things into you that you just pour into your craft. A beautiful masterpiece can be created. Just to be ready for that leap!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is seeing people receive my work in a positive way regardless if they make a purchase or not. It’s the fact that they took the time to hear/listen to my story and not judge me. Taking the time to talk to me goes way further than just asking what is the price. I pour a lot into my work and sometimes and especially on certain pieces I LOVE to share the backstory because it’s sometimes is deeper than just the paint on canvas. Telling my story and then seeing emotions, because some can relate, let’s me know hey what you are doing don’t stop!
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My mission is to just inspire others. I have no real goals because sky is the limit and everything that is deserved God will bless me with.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Freckleface_jenn
- Facebook: Jenn K. Maples
Image Credits
“Headshot” credit Glenn kujansuu from the Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club