Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Solem
Hi Jenny, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The artistic spirit called to me at a very young age, at a seemingly inconspicuous moment while sitting at the kitchen table. I was five at the time. My Ma was busy fiddling at the stove, and my eye caught a gift bag that was resting within my reach. There also happened to be a pad of paper and pen conveniently placed close by. Maybe I was bored; maybe I was just looking to keep my hands busy. All I really remember was something came over me to grab that pen, without much thought behind it. The first thing I ever drew that day, was Snoopy dancing in his classic pose (the graphic on the gift bag). Ma eventually came by to see what I was doing. I remember her being so impressed with what I just did. Hearing how excited she was sparked a fire that would continue to grow for the rest of my life. The more I drew, the more realistic details would come through with each piece. By high school, I was drawing portraits for classmates and taking a few small comissions from Ma’s co-workers. One of my favorite references I drew from, was a large book of Rolling Stone magazine covers, sketching rockstars from the 60’s and 70’s. As the years progressed, I started dabbling in smaller art shows. Some were solo exhibits, some were collective events like the St. Paul Art Crawl or Art in the Park in Minneapolis. Today, my artistic practice is still an independent one, with hopes of someday illustrating my own graphic novels.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey of being an artist is not an easy one. It is a difficult, often discouraging, path that most of the time holds an unknown future. You can paint twenty astounding pieces and hang them in a gallery, only to find no one has purchased anything. You can often face relentless criticism that can leave you questioning your creative worth and wondering if any future projects are ultimately meaningless. While those are all “normal” occurances in the world of selling one’s self as an artist, pairing that with mental health struggles creates a churning chaos that even the strongest of will can’t effectively wrangle. I’ve battled anxity and depression my entire life. While age five lit the flame of my artistic flow, that age also cursed me with intrusive thoughts that would haunt me for years. By middle school, I started suffering panic attacks, often feeling debilitated by them for weeks. The symptoms have changed, but my disorders perservered. I finally was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder at age 20, and Depression at age 27. At this current stage of my life, the largest obstacle has been the death of my husband, Paul, who I’d lost on January 29th of 2024. Invoking the strength to keep going with anything, let alone my artistic career, has been a challenge I never thought I’d have to face at 35 years old. Paul passed away from a rare form of cancer – an adrenocortical carcinoma. I can say, though, that I did find some respite in putting my pain to canvas. The loudest one being “The Chemo Serpent,” a painting depicting a gaping-mouthed viper as the symbol for his implanted chemotherapy port.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In recent years, it’s been hard to pinpoint an exact genre or medium I specialize in. I can create realistically detailed work, while on the opposite end go a much more abstract route with more room for interpretation. In essence, the mediums I enjoy working with the most are India ink, waterolors, acrylic, graphite pencil, Micron pen, linocut printmaking, and illustrator markers. What sets me apart from others, is I don’t put myself in a box when it comes to my art. When a piece calls to me, I bring it to life. I don’t restrict myself based off of identifying as strictly a “painter”, “sculptor”, or “illustrator”. I’m most proud of my portrait of Neil Fallon, a musician from one of my favorite bands called Clutch.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Putting yourself out there in the art world is scary. Your not just selling your work, your selling yourself, too. As a very introverted individual, I know all too well how intimidating that is. My best advice to anyone wanting to get involved in the art scene, is start small. Google around for art galleries you can visit and check out what events may be happening. If an artist is attending the opening that they’re work is featured in (they aren’t always are), get to know them. Find out who the gallery owner or event coordinator is and start up a conversation. If all that still sounds daunting, social media is also a great way to put yourself out there from the comfort of home. Follow other artists you find interesting and interact with their page. I’ve met some wonderful artistic acquantances through Instagram myself, and you may end up selling a few pieces, or nabbing some commission work, too!
Pricing:
- Pencil/Graphite B&W starts at $50
- Pencil/Graphite color starts at $70
- Paintings start at (sm) $70, (m) $120, (l) $200
- India Ink (B&W or color) starts at $30
- Marker/Micron (B&W or color) starts at $50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inuiffyart.com
- Instagram: @inuiffyart
