About the Artist
Have you ever looked back at a photo of ‘that special place’
…your family farm…
…the lake you used to picnic at with your grandparents as a kid…
…that one sunrise on your vacation that was so jaw-dropping it was barely real…
And thought: Gosh, the original scene is so much more beautiful and memorable than what comes through in this photo?
Me too!
Hi, in case we haven’t met, I’m Jenna.
I started painting Midwest landscapes, skyscapes, and farmscapes for two reasons:
#1 The Midwest, to me, is the most beautiful place in the world.
I grew up on a dairy farm in Northeast Iowa, and I’m raising my own family just a stone’s throw away. I can’t explain it; I fell in love with this area as a kid, and I still love it just as much today.
#2 I used to snap pictures of everything around me— sunsets, rolling hills, family farms—but I felt like those photos didn’t do justice to the beauty and magic of the scene I was trying to capture.
With a *smidge* of painting experience from my genuinely accidental degree in art …
(Accidental because I didn’t expect to enjoy painting as much as I did when I first learned I needed to take art classes as a graphic design student in college!)
… I nervously picked up a paintbrush almost seven years ago to see if I could be a professional artist – for real.
Here’s the very first painting I did:
This is a scene from Horseshoe Bay in Door County, Wisconsin. (And - shameless plug- it’s available in my online shop and gallery right now in various prints and sizes!)
Proving to myself that I could do this, little by little, I started to set up shop at a few local art shows, and that’s when I really knew I had found my thing.
Nothing is better than seeing one of my paintings draw you in and remind you of a place or memory that brings you joy.
We fall in love with certain places because of how they make us feel.
I want you to be able to revisit and remember these places and moments and memories anytime you walk by a painting on your wall.
I’ve had farmers (who, to be honest, I didn’t expect to be into art!) get so excited about the little details going into the painting of their family farm.
I’ve had people stop in their tracks and cry looking at a sunset painting because it reminds them of a moment in their life that brings them peace.
I paint the Midwest places you love because they matter.
These places hold your memories and stories, and they deserve to be captured in all their vibrant beauty, emotion, and color. So you can keep them close at heart and share them with others.
“I strolled by Jenna’s work at an art show and stopped dead in my tracks to gawk at her mesmerizing landscape paintings.
I have never seen someone so accurately capture and blend the vibrant colors of an awesome sunset.”
— Natalie M.
My process for creating any painting is detailed, thorough, and focused on finding beauty everywhere – even in the small things.
#1 I start by looking at a photo(s) of the place I’m going to paint.
If this is a commission piece, I do everything possible to get to know you and the place I’m creating. This isn’t about what I want. It’s about painting the scene how *you* remember it.
#2 I do a mockup of the painting on the computer before painting begins.
Everything I paint is pre-planned. By doing this mockup first, I make sure you love the final piece and that it turns out how you envisioned it.
If this is a commission piece, you’ll know what your painting will look like before I start. And I’ll ask for a ton of feedback along the way to make sure we get it right.
#3 I bring the scene to life with bright, bold, vibrant colors unique to the world of landscape painting.
The way I see it … if the sky is colorful enough to take your breath away … your painting of the sky should do nothing less!
“Our painting arrived safe and sound! I love it! Thank you for your amazing customer service.”
— Mary S.
There are three ways you can shop my paintings and work with me as your artist
Shop prints and original paintings in my online gallery
Book a commission or custom piece
Visit my studio in Balltown, Iowa, or find me at a local art festival.
Meet the artist, numbers edition!
7+ Years as a professional artist.
729. Customers served with art in their homes!! This includes prints, originals, and commissions.
5. The maximum number of commission paintings I create each year to ensure each one gets the time and attention to detail it deserves.
36. Juried art festivals I’ve been invited to/attended … and counting!
97. Original paintings created as a professional artist.
16. Gallery exhibitions I’ve been a part of (and counting!).
19. Press features and publications, including:
CanvasRebel
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Telegraph Herald
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Dyserville Commercial Your Family
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FarmLife
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Julien's Journal
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365Ink
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Galena Center for The Arts
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CanvasRebel • Telegraph Herald • Dyserville Commercial Your Family • FarmLife • Julien's Journal • 365Ink • Galena Center for The Arts •
More than anything, I value
Honesty
I am so open with my customers. For large prints and originals, I can digitally show you how a painting will look on your wall before you purchase it from my shop, so you can feel confident you’ll love it.
For commissions, you get a full computer mock-up of your painting before we begin, so the final project never blindsides you and always turns out how you’d hoped.
Family
I still live near the farm I grew up on and am raising my family in this area. One of the reasons I love the Midwest the most is because my family is here, and we have a close-knit community that we’re so lucky to be a part of.
Finding beauty in everything
I truly see beauty in even the smallest details. For example, one of my customers wanted to remember his dad in a recent commission painting, so we painted in an eagle because eagles always reminded him of his dad. It’s these little details that give paintings so much meaning and beauty.
Exceptional customer service
I really like to get to know you and what connects you to my art. Whether you order a painting from my shop or work with me on a commission piece, I’ll communicate with you at every step of the process.
Not to mention, every painting and print you purchase from me is created with the best materials available (so it lasts for generations) and is shipped quickly and safely.
Creating high-quality work
I don’t cut corners, and I don’t rush projects. I ask questions. Your painting from me will be something you’re proud to display, so you can talk about it with your friends and hand it down to your children’s children.
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I often describe my style as ‘sculpting’ with color.
My palette is bright, bold, and beautiful. I want to create art that makes a statement in your home or office, grabs attention, and evokes those feel-good memories every time you walk by it.
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Looking back, I realize that the time I spent growing up on a farm really prepared me to be an artist!
As a farm kid, I loved crafts, animals, the farm, nature, and being involved in my community.
This closeness with the land, animals, farms, and sky is something most people don’t get a chance to experience. I’m so thankful for it, and it shows up everywhere in my paintings today.
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I paint the things that I love.
The bright, bold skies we see in the early morning and evening hours. The peaceful, rolling hills of the Midwest. The calming beauty of a lake’s water rippling against the shoreline.
Memories and stories are everywhere, and I love to capture them in my work as an artist.
Proudly Affiliated with
“Jenna’s work is vibrant and filled with emotion. I feel so lucky to have found her!”
— Gene A.
When I’m not painting, you can find me …
Watching the sunrise from my deck or kitchen table. This is one of my favorite things to do every morning (especially when one of my goofball dogs joins me).
Spending time outside with my family. I love morning walks, fishing with my husband and kids, and our family vacations usually consist of tent camping!
Driving to cool new places with hikes and views that I can explore.
Want to see my paintings in person?
(And meet the artist - hi!!)
Schedule a studio visit
My personal art studio & gallery is located in the Balltown, Iowa, area and is open by appointment.
Contact me to learn more about studio hours and visits. I would love to see you!
View my art show, open studio, and gallery exhibit calendar
I love sharing my paintings and having the chance to meet you at various art shows, galleries, and events throughout the Midwest region.
Click HERE for my art show, open studio, and gallery calendar.
Have a few questions?
I’m here to help! Click the button below to send me your thoughts and questions about commissions, prints and original paintings, studio hours, art shows, press features, or anything else that’s on your mind.
THE NEXT BEST THING TO GETTING A LETTER IN THE MAIL IS …
Emails between friends who love art, Midwest skies, and landscape paintings that feel like home.
Before you go, subscribe to my newsletter to stay in touch about new paintings and events. I’ll even send you a free landscape painting wallpaper for your phone when you sign up!
