Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Mroz.
Jennifer, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’ve taken a lot of color and emotion to produce some raw paintings where a story followed based on the negative space, or a certain color scheme. I do the same thing with my photography, typically producing in black and white. I like to portray this strange beauty, an industrial style that appears worn. With my heart on my sleeve I try to convey a message to let others know they aren’t alone in whatever they may be going through. Using my own heartache and loss I was inspired to create a positive impact Art Gallery that I named Peace of Art Gallery where we use local talent and pair with charity. The basis of my business model is to create a domino effect of kindness. I want to let others know that you don’t have to have to be financially well off to help fund research, a non-profit or help someone specific.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I paint mainly with acrylic, watercolor, and use coffee stains to age certain pieces. I’ve gone as far as to create abstract paintings with days and days of coffee, different coffee brands, and even piping hot coffee. Each style carries a unique outcome. I’ve played with the stains of whiskey, red wine, green tea and have even added sugar to acrylics for texture too. I’m adventurous when it comes to household items. I merge them into my paintings because it makes it more original, and carries more of “me” in them. I also do photography, using abandoned spaces and nature while it’s dying to tell a story.
My most recent photography series was called ” Personal Growth “. It carries a lot of heart in them as they tell the story of losing my dad and the strength that I found through my pain. Each photo has a narrative written to it, as to the moment of getting the phone call that my dad didn’t make it through the night on the day I was traveling to him. It was surreal. So I wanted to create something that told my audience, “I got this.” I choose the flower ” Iris “, they use to grow outside my window in my hometown of Louisburg, North Carolina. I suffocated them in a clear plastic bag and shot through the bag with my long lens. I printed them large scale in black and white with grain on the blue print machine for your not so typical look. They were stunning and it was a unique feeling to see my pain, framed.
The take away, death is beautiful, rebirth into new skin knowing my parents have/are leaving this world for me to stand alone. It’s been an inspiring story to tell, I’ve given strength to kids whose parents are battling cancer by showcasing my positive attitude that came from losing my dad. My goal always, is to inspire.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
To be innovative, and unique. We’re all inspired by someone or influenced but sometimes tapping into raw emotion and showcasing it without judgment can be hard.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Majority of my work is here in the Gallery, Peace of Art located in Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale, IL. I am upstairs across from Bumpte, and beside New York and Co. Purchasing art from local artists and small business is what brings me joy and is the best way to show support for me. Seeing my work hanging inside someone’s home has been my end goal since I was a kid, to create and express full time has been my dream come true.
My work, and work in progress can be found on personal Instagram, @gingerpeachtree, and my gallery @poagallery. Otherwise the Gallery carries a website, www.peaceofartgallery.com
Contact Info:
- Address: 152 Stratford Square Dr
Bloomingdale, IL 60108 - Website: www.peaceofartgallery.com
- Phone: 19196715568
- Email: itsapeaceofartgallery@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poagallery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POAGallery/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/POAGallery/
Image Credit:
Moe Martinez
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