Several years ago a mutual friend introduced me to Jennifer’s Instagram account and I was immediately taken by the beauty of her work. Since we both live and work as professional artists in Airdrie, it was such a privilege to connect in person. Though I was raised in the north, I have lived on the cusp of the Rocky Mountains and prairies for the past 25 years and I found that Jennifer was able to capture in paint what I have tried but unable to do many times. Her palette reflects the nuance and abundance of colour in the wildflowers and grasses prevalent in the landscape while her compositions reflect the depth of the prairie skies and fields. Initially, it was her use of line that drew me in to her work. As I have come to know Jennifer, I learned that she was raised in Saskatchewan and I saw its influence in everything she created. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree through the University of Saskatchewan in 2002 though it took many years before she was inspired to paint. She is a calm and calming presence, something that translates beautifully through her bodies of work, and has said that she is deeply linked to place. It shows.
-Written by Veronica Funk
It’s such a delight to observe the animals here, keeping an eye out for deer, moose and circling hawks. I like to search out whatever wildflowers may be blooming on that particular day and take pictures of them. We all wear long pants to keep the thistles and rose thorns off our ankles, and occasionally we relent to picking up the dogs and giving them a lift for part of the way to spare them the discomfort of thorny paws.
Which ‘hood are you in?
With love and respect, I acknowledge that I live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
I’m originally from Saskatchewan (Treaty 6 region), and moved to Alberta in 2002. My spouse and I lived in Martindale for about three years before we moved to Airdrie in 2005. We have lived and raised our kids in Airdrie ever since and are proud to call this community our home. We enjoy the perks that come with living so close to the bustling and vibrant urban centre of Calgary. I also spend a fair amount of my time stewarding a little piece of native prairie in Mountain View County, a place that has inspired many of my artworks.
What do you do?
I’m an acrylic and mixed media artist. I work out of my home studio and sell original art and art prints on my website shop to collectors across North America. I also licence my artwork with companies that consult for the hospitality industry, interior design, magazines, tv and film.
What are you currently working on?
In my creative pursuits, I am drawn to the subject of the prairie and my relationship to that landscape. My feelings of belonging and oneness with the prairie environment are reflected back to me in the artistic process. In my artwork, I translate my observations of the landscape into inventive colour, reactive mark-making, and expressive energy in an attempt to portray the magic of reciprocity between my identity, the landscape, and my art.
My current artistic practice is focused on an ongoing series entitled, “Belonging to the Land” in which I explore this land/art/identity connection first in sketchbook musings and later in finished acrylic and mixed media paintings on canvas.
Where can we find your work?
My artwork can be found online at www.jlmohrart.com or on Instagram @jlmohr.art
My paintings have recently been featured on the popular blog, The Jealous Curator and in the March issue of Candyfloss Magazine.
