We were lucky to catch up with Mike Jenkins recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mike, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?
I began drawing from a do-it-yourself kit as an early teenager. I took painting classes while in high school. I sold my first painting in high school at an art show. I found I had a difficult time letting go of one of my favorite pieces, but also enjoyed collecting money from what I normally consider a fun pastime. Later I realized, God has given me the talent to create many more pieces that usually get better over time. Because of this, they are much easier to sell, especially when you see the joy on the face of new collectors.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I worked on a charter boat through college. My Granddad was a sailor. My Dad was a charter boat captain. I have been in and around the water since the summer I was born. This is why I love painting boats, beaches, birds, beasts, and the occasional portrait. Most of my inspiration for painting comes from God and the sea.
I started drawing and painting in the early 1970s. My first mentor was Sidney E King who painted nearly 200 murals for the National Park Service and the largest Mural painted in the USA. Later, I studied with Kristopher Meadows, one of the most inspiring portrait painters in the southeast and an honors graduate of the Savannah College of Arts and Design.
Today, I enjoy painting and sketching the beauty of Florida’s beaches, birds, and boats. My realistic style using oil and acrylic paints brings God’s beauty into your home.
My wife Betty and I are juried artists and members of the Jensen Beach Art League. One of my favorite paintings was
one of 11 selected out of 200 paintings to adorn one of the utility boxes on the Crosstown Parkway Bridge in St Lucie County.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Several years ago, I endeavored to paint a portrait of my niece. Painting teeth and lips is one of the hardest things to do in a portrait. I nailed it. Her mouth looked better than the photo I was working from. Unfortunately, it was tilted in the wrong direction. If this were a computer image, I could simply cut this and rotate it. Since it was a painting on canvas, that was not an option. I pondered my choices for several days. Do I repaint the rest of the portrait around the mouth? Do I repaint the mouth? Can I tilt the edges to get it where I need it?
I broke out the tools and drew some faint lines between the eyes, nose, and mouth and realized everything else was where it belonged. I needed to tilt her mouth a bit to make it look perfect. I filled my brush with paint and started painting over the mouth area. The first stroke was tough, but It needed to be done.
I repainted the blank area using the guidelines and perspective this time. It came out fine, but it took me much longer to get it to the same shape as before I repainted.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I paint what inspires me. God is my favorite artist and I paint to show His glory. Trying to capture the nuances of a sunset, or the plumage of a seabird is a challenge and a blessing. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get it right. I enjoy taking the process from a blank canvas to the finished product. I enjoy the journey for sure.
Contact Info:
- Website: mikejenkinsfineart.com
- Instagram: MikeJenkinsFineArt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeJenkinsFineArt/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mnjenkins/
- Twitter: @TechnologyChef
- Other: Fine Art America: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/mike-jenkins-fine-art
Image Credits
Mike Jenkins