Meet Jennifer Lashbrook: Artist

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

Hi Jennifer, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I always knew I was meant to be an artist but despite getting a degree in Drawing and Painting, I had no idea how to make it my full time career. After graduation I was working a decent job and making enough to get by but felt unfulfilled. I would create laborious works of art and give them as gifts to family and friends, but did not have enough of a portfolio on my own to get out there. After attending an art festival and speaking with some of the artists, they were impressed with my work, they could not believe I wasn’t showing it. Over the next year I made it my goal to create a body of work for myself that I would be proud to get out there and actually show. After applying to multiple festivals, I got into some of the best in the country. After winning best emerging artists in the 2013 Ft Worth Main Street Art festival, I finally had the confidence to make the leap, quit my job and become a full-time artist. I have not looked back since, but there have definitely been times of feast and times of famine. I realized I must trust that the universe provides. I will never regret all the hard work and dedication that have gone into starting, maintaining and growing my business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I create my work from recycled paint chips or swatches from hardware stores. This unique material tends to set my work apart from others. I cut these pieces into squares to make pixilated artwork of mostly familiar images. When viewed at a distance or through a cell phone, the work changes from indiscernible squares of color into a clear image. This shock value creates quite a stir when I show my work to art patrons. I started out doing art festivals all around the country 7 years ago. It certainly wasn’t easy. I load over 3000 lbs of equipment into my van for each show and drive sometimes for days to get to different locations. I set up my display and sell my work all weekend. People are shocked to find that I do this on my own. But what’s great about the artist community is you’re never really alone. Each city I travel to I find familiar faces of friends from all across the country, who are doing the same thing I am and we are always willing to help each other. Each show brings new eyes on your work, new collectors of it, and many new opportunities. After seeing my work at an art festival in Minneapolis, I was written up in the Forbes Contemporary Artists Studio and Pricing Feature. After having seen my work at a festival in Chicago, my work was used on the set of Empire. One of my first collectors has added multiple pieces to their Penthouse at the Ritz Carlton. You never know who you are meeting at these art festivals and gallery shows, and many new and wonderful opportunities await at each and every one.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Although I don’t call South Florida my home, I thoroughly love the time I have spent there. If I had a week to show my friends around, I would definitely take them to some of the fabulous restaurants in Coconut Grove. We would of course have to visit Wynwood Walls area. And certainly spend some time at South Beach but would also have to get a way for a few days in the keys. The water is just so beautiful in Islamorada and Marathon, I absolutely love that drive.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family have been the biggest supporters of my work and career. Without them I would have never had the confidence to start my business. I remember one dinner where each family member promised to cover a mortgage payment if I ever fell on hard times and luckily I have never had to take them up on that.

Website: http://www.jenniferlashbrook.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jenniferlashbrookart
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jenniferlashbrookstudio