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Style Magazine

Spotlight On: Jennifer Peart

For Jennifer Peart, art is an opportunity to merge her passions for nature, architecture, and science fiction. “Through painting, I explore patterns in the world and build my own worlds,” she explains.

Her visionary landscape paintings juxtapose the beauty of nature with unexpected architectural elements and graphic motifs. Through her works, she aims to “envision alternative realities and better futures. I want viewers to reflect on our reciprocal relationship with the planet and consider more harmonious ways of living.”

Discovery

Peart (jenniferpeart.com) was raised in El Dorado County and now resides in Sacramento. A former classroom teacher, she now hosts watercolor and nature journaling workshops for adults. When she isn’t creating art in the backyard studio she and her dad built, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, camping, and kayaking, as well as collecting vintage science fiction books by women authors.

How did you get your start as an artist?

Art has always been how I process my relationship with the planet and envision new possibilities for our future. I considered becoming an architect, because I was fascinated by how physical spaces can influence human emotions. However, I chose to study art to escape the constraints of structural dynamics, physics, and gravity. I was fortunate to have exceptional instructors and mentors who taught me traditional skills as well as conceptual art-making. After art school, I pivoted to education, where I was passionate about teaching students about art, conservation, and nature. After 10 years in the classroom, I felt it was time to return to my studio practice. A backpacking trip in Yosemite inspired me to start painting again.

Glacier Point

You work in various mediums, often using several in one piece. Tell us about your process.

I start each painting with a wash of watercolor or thinned acrylic on a wooden painting panel. I then build atmospheric layers with acrylic and oil paints, finishing with colored pencil and chalk pastel. Painter’s tape helps me create the sharp, geometric lines that are a signature of my work. The layering of different mediums and my varied mark-making techniques create the unique textures and tension I love. I often work on multiple pieces at once, with work scattered throughout my studio, backyard, and sometimes the house—much to my partner’s patient chagrin (and endless support).

Glass and Greenery

Where do you find your inspiration?

Nature is my biggest source of inspiration. Whether I’m hiking, gardening, or resting by a river, I find a wealth of creativity in the natural world. I’m also deeply influenced by science-fiction books, especially those by women, queer, and BIPOC authors, as well as the writings of visionaries like Adrienne Maree Brown and Robin Wall Kimmerer. My partner’s creativity continually wows me, and the wisdom of the women in my full moon circle also plays a significant role in my studio practice. Even my weekly Dungeons & Dragons sessions contribute to my art.

Luminaquatic Yuba

How does your art reflect your personal values?

Sustainability is a cornerstone of my practice. I use reclaimed and recycled materials whenever possible, and I shop locally, avoiding corporations that harm my community. I prioritize collaborating with organizations and businesses committed to mutual aid and art accessibility, believing everyone should have access to creative resources. I hope to connect with like-minded individuals and collectors who share my commitment to leaving the world better than we found it.

Earth and Ore

What do you hope viewers experience through your art?

I hope my paintings spark curiosity and hope for our future world, encouraging people to reconnect with nature, even in everyday moments. I want viewers to see how interconnected we all are and reflect on the delicate balance sustaining life on Earth. Ultimately, I wish my work will help people rediscover the magic and awe in our natural world.

Frons Fructuum

What’s the greatest compliment you could receive about your art?

That my paintings have inspired someone to take a brave step—whether that means creating their own art, advocating for an environmental cause, or envisioning a better future for their community. If my work makes someone feel that art is a vital part of the human experience, that’s the highest honor I could ask for.

What role has community played in your development as an artist?

Community has been essential to my growth as an artist. I’m grateful for my close group of [local] artist friends who inspire and support me. We share opportunities, encourage each other, and navigate the art world’s challenges together. Their stories and resilience are a significant source of inspiration. Additionally, being part of an outdoor adventure community that shares a love for nature fuels my creativity and reinforces the message of my art: the need to heal our relationship with the natural world. These connections, both in art and nature, are at the heart of my visionary landscape painting practice.

Where can readers see your art, besides on your website?

My paintings will be on display at Grounded Real Estate in Midtown Sacramento throughout November, with an opening reception on November 9. And I’m excited to have a pop-up booth at Tin Can Open Studios in Sacramento on November 16. Looking ahead, I’ll be showcasing original paintings and limited-edition prints at San Francisco’s Superfine Art Fair in March. All event details are on my website. 


by Jennifer Maragoni
Photo of Jennifer Peart by Noel Russell. Artwork images courtesy of Jennifer Peart.