Jennifer Main is the Featured Artist at Art In The Park
I was honored to be selected as the featured artist for the 60th annual 'Art In the Park' festival held in Boulder City, NV! Check out the interview below!
Jennifer Main is one of the most beloved native Las Vegas artists. She began her career with Art Encounter at the young age of 17 and has continued successfully, based in Tustin, California, where she works in her home studio.
Jennifer describes herself as a super shy kid whose love for art began as a young child sitting beside her Grandma who sketched and created images that lit a creative fire in her. She continued to develop her talent by attending art classes, which led to her first piece of art being displayed and sold at a local café at the age of 15. Jennifer graduated from the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing, and Visual Arts and attended the prestigious School of The Art Institute of Chicago.
Her work was featured on MTV’s Real World, Discovery Channel’s American Casino, and the red carpet premiere for Warner Brothers’ movie “Racing Stripes.” She has painted the likeness of Jim Clark, venture entrepreneur and founder of Netscape; Alvy Ray Smith, co-founder of Pixar Animation; legendary Siegfried and Roy; and the great jazz entertainers Al Jarreau, Clint Holmes, and Dave Koz.
Jennifer’s style and theme developed as something within her was unlocked as a young artist. The uniqueness of her style is instantly recognizable for her fearless use of vibrant color and the raw energy that her paintings exude. Her favorite subjects to paint are people -- especially the face -- using the eyes to tell a story and offer a reflection of the soul and spirit. Jennifer explains that she enjoys exhibiting images of deep love between couples, and expressing her passion for music by using instruments in her work -- Jennifer plays the piano and guitar. Her themes often speak messages of the freedom of movement and the spirit of God. “I am influenced by all artists in some way, but get my inspiration from nature, everyday life experiences, and most importantly I am inspired by the Bible. Oftentimes, my vision for creating comes from the Word,” she says. Many times she begins a design with the theme as it exists inside her, starting the process by being still and asking herself, “What do I need to express.” Or perhaps she’ll start with a simple sketch and let it draw itself instead of beginning with a planned theme.
You’ll always find music playing in Jennifer’s studio as she captures on canvas a feeling or emotion inspired by a song of worship, a mellow jazz tune, a classical piece, or an upbeat oldie-but-goodie song. The subtle yet strong messages conveyed through her work are expressions of her faith in God. “They naturally lead to unforced conversations that build a bridge deeper and faster into someone’s heart,” she explains; and that is what her collectors are so drawn to – they truly can relate to her paintings.
What Jennifer enjoys most about being an artist is the freedom to not have rules. “Life has a lot of rules, but when creating art there are no rules to break,” she says. She explains that art has a language of its own; it expresses more than words can say. When asked what bring her joy, Jennifer says, “The joy of creating, being surrounded by nature, and the ultimate joy is worshiping God and being in his presence every day…that makes me smile.”
This year’s poster and shirt feature “Know the Beat of My Heart,” which perfectly portrays Jennifer Main’s love of color, freedom of movement, and passion for the arts.
Jennifer describes herself as a super shy kid whose love for art began as a young child sitting beside her Grandma who sketched and created images that lit a creative fire in her. She continued to develop her talent by attending art classes, which led to her first piece of art being displayed and sold at a local café at the age of 15. Jennifer graduated from the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing, and Visual Arts and attended the prestigious School of The Art Institute of Chicago.
Her work was featured on MTV’s Real World, Discovery Channel’s American Casino, and the red carpet premiere for Warner Brothers’ movie “Racing Stripes.” She has painted the likeness of Jim Clark, venture entrepreneur and founder of Netscape; Alvy Ray Smith, co-founder of Pixar Animation; legendary Siegfried and Roy; and the great jazz entertainers Al Jarreau, Clint Holmes, and Dave Koz.
Jennifer’s style and theme developed as something within her was unlocked as a young artist. The uniqueness of her style is instantly recognizable for her fearless use of vibrant color and the raw energy that her paintings exude. Her favorite subjects to paint are people -- especially the face -- using the eyes to tell a story and offer a reflection of the soul and spirit. Jennifer explains that she enjoys exhibiting images of deep love between couples, and expressing her passion for music by using instruments in her work -- Jennifer plays the piano and guitar. Her themes often speak messages of the freedom of movement and the spirit of God. “I am influenced by all artists in some way, but get my inspiration from nature, everyday life experiences, and most importantly I am inspired by the Bible. Oftentimes, my vision for creating comes from the Word,” she says. Many times she begins a design with the theme as it exists inside her, starting the process by being still and asking herself, “What do I need to express.” Or perhaps she’ll start with a simple sketch and let it draw itself instead of beginning with a planned theme.
You’ll always find music playing in Jennifer’s studio as she captures on canvas a feeling or emotion inspired by a song of worship, a mellow jazz tune, a classical piece, or an upbeat oldie-but-goodie song. The subtle yet strong messages conveyed through her work are expressions of her faith in God. “They naturally lead to unforced conversations that build a bridge deeper and faster into someone’s heart,” she explains; and that is what her collectors are so drawn to – they truly can relate to her paintings.
What Jennifer enjoys most about being an artist is the freedom to not have rules. “Life has a lot of rules, but when creating art there are no rules to break,” she says. She explains that art has a language of its own; it expresses more than words can say. When asked what bring her joy, Jennifer says, “The joy of creating, being surrounded by nature, and the ultimate joy is worshiping God and being in his presence every day…that makes me smile.”
This year’s poster and shirt feature “Know the Beat of My Heart,” which perfectly portrays Jennifer Main’s love of color, freedom of movement, and passion for the arts.
-Interview by Paula Casey