4. The Art of Healing in the Upcycled, Recycled, Found Objects of Her Collage Creations
Jennifer DeSantis
Jennifer, or “ladyjennd”, as she is known online, began pursuing collage seriously about five years ago. “I believe the gift was shown to me by the grace of God, for my own healing and self-therapy. I haven’t stopped since then.” Looking back, she recalls, “I’ve always loved to express myself through art, ever since I can remember. As a child my grandparents gave me an easel, a little 5-year-old and up plastic easel, and I would create for hours and hours and hours, totally losing myself in whatever I was drawing or painting.”
The Most Impactful Turning Point?
I was in Waterbury, CT, going through a period of healing. Through Facebook I started posting my work, not really trying to sell, when a friend saw it and was interested in purchasing a piece. She says a crucial validation came when she was asked to submit one of her works for a book, Fundamentally Female, by motivational speaker Renée Rongen. The book is a compilation of collaborations between women who have written poetry, short stories, excerpts and created art pieces.
The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?
“There was a point at which I felt like giving up a couple of years ago. I started this journey therapeutically for myself and it has grown into something bigger than that. I began feeling the pressure of being ‘successful’ with my art, success as defined by society. I really had to remember why I started creating through the medium of collage, which was for me, for healing insights that I hoped to spread to others. Ultimately I just kept creating and couldn’t stop, can’t stop.”
On Her Bookshelf
Fundamentally Female, by motivational speaker Renée Rongen. Jennifer’s artwork is included in the global compilation of art by women.
The Collage Discovery Workshop: Make Your Own Collage Creations Using Vintage Photos, Found Objects and Ephemera, by Claudine Hellmuth.
Top Tools on Her Browser
Two groups for artists on Facebook: Magically Mixed Art Community, and Artful of Soul. There are also public groups searchable under Mixed Media and More.
Connecting With Jennifer DeSantis
Etsy: www.etsy.com/ladyjennd
Society6.com/ladyjennd: Functional objects bearing my artwork
Facebook: ladyjennd
Free Gift
A free screen print t-shirt, size small or medium. Use one of the links above to connect with Jennifer. Mention this podcast, Discover Your Talent.
