A Natural Progression — Jennifer Lanne

IN UPSTATE NEW YORK, there’s a 1700’s era home on a farm named Devils Hop. Inside lives a self-taught artist, Jennifer Lanne. She describes herself as having a “crush on color,” as Jennifer lives in layers of paint of every shade. Countless landscape paintings, crackled still life renditions of bouquets, and swatches displaying every gradient imaginable surround her daily. Color to Jennifer Lanne invokes a giddy sense of first love, and the result of that love is radiant.

It’s a tricky combination to evolve and stay current artistically yet stay true to yourself and personal style.

My first ‘real’ studio was and still is where I currently paint and design, in my barn studio. Before that, it was at a kitchen table, floor or anywhere I could find the space! I started out with one room in the barn, which has expanded to two rooms...which will probably expand again at some point! There is a huge loft space above where my studio currently resides that is calling my name.

I am all about growth. As an artist it’s just the natural progression of things—challenging myself to always be improving, innovating and just plain editing my artwork and myself constantly, to make a better version. The worst thing for me as a creative person is to become stagnant.

My artwork has further matured over time, and I now find myself drawn to more classic motifs with an upscale vibe—grandiose-scaled painted florals and landscapes with just enough aging and distressing to temper them from being too pretentious. I want my pieces to have a “new-fashioned” flair to work in a modern environment as well as cross over to play nicely in vintage themed décor.

"My mind is soaking up its surroundings non-stop — almost to a bothersome degree, as it’s hard to switch it off."

I felt my artwork and style would lend nicely to home prod- ucts such as pillows, poufs, and throw blankets, as well as tabletop accessories.

When you’re a creative person it seeps into every aspect of your life. I am constantly on the hunt for inspiration. Colors intrigue me. Compositions and textures fascinate me. I am continuously creating my own colors which nature and my surroundings grace me with in abundance. I am also drawn to the past...antiques and vintage items. Large theatrical backdrops and moody Hudson Valley landscapes, well-aged pieces, honest wear and patina really speak to me.

I was a painter/artist when I was first published and still am though now am dappling more in design, as well as a little photography. I have a tiny background in interior design as well as floral design so that sneaks it’s way into my work as well. Photography started as a necessity as being an artist you need to showcase your work, especially in such a visually centric age that we are in. Vignettes of fabulous, fun, curated vintage finds peppered with some saturated florals can tell an exciting story!

It is a tricky balance to do what artists love, while also having to attach price tags to our work. Marketing is often my biggest challenge, though, despite this and other obstacles, I am proud of being able to conquer them on my own. It’s not easy getting back up so many times after experiencing so much defeat. It’s hard letting go of what you feel “should be” and moving on to what is. Even just simply “letting go” of a painting that just doesn’t seem to come together...to crumple it up, throw it away and start over, can be difficult.

More On Jennifer

WEBSITES: JenniferLanne.com, ArtAtHomeCollection.com

INSTAGRAM: @jenniferlanne.devilhopfarm

This story originally ran in Where Women Create.