In Their Own Words is a chance to discover and learn about St. Louis Creatives, Community Champions, and, well, just interesting people in and around our city. It's a deep dive into what they love and where their passion lies. It's an opportunity for all of us to see St. Louis from a different perspective. This written interview is a peek into their lives and captured In Their Own Words.

Hi, Jennifer! Tell us a little bit of what you do.
I am a working contemporary artist based in St.Louis. I specialize in abstract paintings that are color and texture driven. I utilize a combination of palette knives, unique tools and brushes to manipulate the acrylic paint I use to create my recognizable signature style.

I work directly with clients and designers who are looking for the perfect paintings for their spaces. I also offer commissions so that I can create custom site specific paintings for both private and commercial spaces.

How did you get started?
My current techniques, approach and style has solidified over the past 15 years although I've been an artist my whole life. Art was my focus during high school and college but at some point I abandoned the idea of it being my career and was lured by more traditional means of making a living. A personal tragedy propelled me into creating art again and gave me the determination to want to make it my life and profession. It took me a couple years to find my rhythm and develop my unique style which still continues to evolve as does building my brand and business.

What are some unique or innovative approaches you take?
I really enjoy integrating experimentation into my pieces. I will employ found and repurposed objects to alter my mark making and add intrigue. My artwork is a culmination of thin and thick layers of paint that have been applied in succession with some layers being partially or entirely removed. I aim to build a dramatic fluctuation in the surface of the painting. I really enjoy the tactile quality of my approach and the process of building and excavating the paint layers. I find myself being happily lost in the nuances on the canvas. My aim is to have the viewer engaged with the painting from across the room and then immersing them in the details when viewing my work more closely.

What is great about St. Louis and the Art Scene in STL?
I think the St.Louis region is rich in diverse and talented artists, makers and craftsman. I’m proud of the work being done under the radar here. I think it's akin to the amazing restaurant scene and talented creative culinary teams we have. St.Louis is a pretty special place to be a creative person right now because of the unique combination of affordable spaces as well as supportive people and networks. I really salute the pride that most locals have for this town, in fact I have STL in my website name because of those feelings. My loyal St.Louis clients have always been there for me along my journey as an artist and small business person. That might not always be the case in other places, especially some of those known as being big art cities.

What do you do in your spare time?
I really enjoy gardening, especially veggies and fruit. I recently purchased a 1917 home on a 3/4 acre lot and have been turning some lawn areas into growing beds. I’m all organic so I’ve been composting in a big way and have been amending what was already good undisturbed soil into some really gorgeous stuff. Sometimes I get carried away and I have to wash the dirt off my hands and get back in the studio and get some paint on my hands instead!

What are some of the most important things our audience can do to support you?
Thank you for asking!

~I invite everyone to view my work at JenniferHayesSTL.com and share it with someone who might be in the market for original artwork for their space whether here in St.Louis or anywhere around the world!

~Sign up for my studio email updates so you can be the first to see my newest paintings, get a behind the scenes peek at my studio or be invited to an event!

~Follow me on Instagram @JenniferHayesSTL ~ in fact all of my social media accounts are one click away on my website.

~I would love to work with more designers who want to integrate original unique artwork into their client homes~maybe you know a fabulous designer you’d like to connect me with?

~Want to see my work in person? Look for my paintings locally on the walls of the St.Louis Four Seasons, at private airport JetLinx St.Louis and in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay!

~Introduce my work to your circle of people. I want to be an asset to someone designing a space, opening a restaurant, launching a brand, building an office, completing their home. It is exciting to be included at the beginning of things or during a refresh and have a positive impact on people’s spaces and their lives.

*Photos provided by Jennifer Hayes, credit: Joan Fisher (@joan_fisher)*

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Jennifer Hayes

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