We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Kosharek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
If at first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, you don’t succeed… try, try, try, try, try, try AGAIN. Life will always try to shove you down. Being a professional artist is an uphill battle and you have to keep giving it your all–throughout life’s little and big trials. Covid19 has brought additional career obstacles. How do I make money while staying at home? How do I stay inspired and working when the world is going through so much turmoil? I have learned you have to dig that “WILL TO CREATE” out of your soul and it has to push you to be your best self. My career has taught me to be myself and keep trying hard! On my tombstone please write, “She spent her time pushing elephants up the stairs.”

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is bright and whimsical. I hope to instill the viewer with a sense of happiness, joy and hope. I set out to accomplish this by creating spray paint street art, original paintings and fiber art–embroideries and rag dolls. I would say it wasn’t easy to get where I am today and where I am currently I wouldn’t call, “success.” To me, success is being totally self sufficient AND living above the poverty line. I’d like the world to know that I cared for others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend visit me–I would guess that the COVID19 was totally over and that we could live without fear. I would take them to my favorite beach, Passagrille! We would get some of my favorite tacos as Casita in downtown St. Petersburg, FL! And for drinks we would go to Cassis American Brasserie on Tuesday for the best happy hour prices on drinks and hors d’oeuvres. On Wednesday night we would go to the Artist meet up at Bar @548 and meet some of the local artists who hang out there. I would also take them on a mural tour of St. Petersburg to see all the beautiful art–including many of my pieces. We would also hit up the Morean Arts Center to see their current shows–they always amaze and the new St. Pete Pier!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout out to my children who have been my supporters and encouragers! Thomas 22, Benjamin 19, Adeline 17 and Scout 6.

Website: www.kosharekart.art
Instagram: @kosharekart
Twitter: @eve_n_odd
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evenoddgallery/