January's Maker: Jenna Hernandez Art + Design
- Amber Frid
- Jan 6, 2018
- 4 min read
I'm so excited to announce this month's maker as Jenna Hernandez. Her watercolors have such an impact and range. Everything from muted, natural tones in her landscapes to bold and empowering colors in her digital paintings. Her work is so delicate and bold that it would be the perfect piece for any room! Between the vibrant purples and soft yellows, I have fallen in love with her work!
This may be one of my favorite pieces that she has created! I adore the colors, the way it mesmerizes me, and the fact that it reminds me so much of season changing. It's just an all-around beautiful piece!
When did you first discover your love of watercolor? I knew I wanted to relearn watercolor painting (after learning the basics as a young person in art lessons/school) when I was in a figure drawing studio, using mostly pastels, and I noticed and was inspired by a fellow artist doing incredible figure gestures with watercolor. As it turned out, he was a watercolor instructor at the studio, so I immediately signed up for his class to refresh myself and learn from his effortless skills. That was fairly recently, about 4 years ago, but I've been an artist my entire life. What is your favorite piece that you've created?
My favorite piece from the past year is called 'which way.' It's an abstract piece that started with little direction, and I followed where it wanted to take me. I love when a painting takes on a life of its own and guides me in the process.
What are your long time goals as an artist? My long term goals as an artist are to be able to thrive and be successful in an artistic career. For quite a long time my career dealt mostly in graphic design creativity, but I long to be successful in a fine art capacity. What are some of your favorite subjects to paint? I love to paint clouds. I'm fascinated not only by clouds themselves but the techniques used to try to capture their essence. I also love to paint abstracts. I'm happy to let a painting just be a painting for the sake of the technique or color or texture.
Who are some of your main inspirations as an artist?
I am awed by Lisa Congdon. Not only is she an incredible and prolific artist, but I truly admire her drive and reach and "can't stop this train"-ness. She and I both lived in San Francisco at the same time, and I regret not seeking her out before we both moved away from The City. Lesson learned.
I'm also inspired by Wayne White. Watch the documentary about his work "Beauty is Embarrassing" on Netflix, then follow him on Instagram (@waynewhiteart). His sketchbook posts are incredible. His work is brilliant.
Pablo Picasso. Sounds cliché, I know, but if you've studied his work you recognize the range and depth of technique he traveled through. I once saw a museum exhibit of his private collection, and I was so taken with his piece "The Acrobat" (https://www.pablopicasso.org/acrobat.jsp) that I bought a print in the gift shop—something I rarely do, if ever. It's really only in person that you can witness the true genius. This amazing piece is the size of an entire wall, yet reproductions are always so small, including my print, and you just can't imagine the actual impact of this spare, effortless gesture.
As for contemporary watercolorist inspirations, I love the styles of Malissa Ryder, Yao Cheng, and Jenna Rainey. They make it look so easy when I know better. I often feel like I'm still learning every day. That's one of the things I love about watercolor. There's a surprise around every corner.
What projects are you currently working on that have you excited?
I have a few commissions in the works at the time, but what has me really excited are the possibilities that are waiting for me to jump into this year. I hope to have a bit more of a presence in the Asheville art market soon. I've been accepted into the Woolworth Walk gallery, but I'm still waiting for actual space to open up for me to move in. I will soon be showing my work full-time at the West Union Art Studios gallery in Morganton, NC, where I currently have studio space upstairs. Additionally, I hope to put together some watercolor workshops in partnership with Sketch Art Space, also in Morganton. 2018 should be a great year.
As you can tell, Jenna Hernandez is such a talented painter and artist. I cannot wait to see where her work will take her. I'm so excited to see more and more of her art! Please be sure to liker her on Instagram and Facebook, and check out her Tumblr and Twitter! www.JennaHaznandez.etsy.com
Instagram: @JennaHaznandez
Twitter: @jennalouise
Tumblr: @jennalouisedraws Use code HOWDY2018 to receive 20% off your purchase at Jenna's Etsy until the end of February!
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