Monday, September 17, 2012

Blog Feature: Jennifer Dedonato & Giveaway

 
I first came across Jennifer's work several years ago from another blog that I follow. I was so drawn to her colors and upliting messages. Since that time I have been following and commenting on her blog.  


When Jennifer was little she knew she wanted to be an artist. She loved it! Jennifer's favorite time of the day in school was art class and she remembers going to vacation bible school and being so excited when it was time to create an art project. She started taking it more seriously about eight years ago. Jennifer has a son with Autism and he was deathly afraid of bugs. His fear was due to a bee sting and he became so frightened he wouldn’t go outside the entire summer. Jennifer decided to make a book about bugs for him. Having some colored cardstock at home, she began cutting and gluing the next thing she knew she had several pretty cute little bugs. Both of my boys recognized and enjoyed them so I was inspired to create more. Then one thing lead to another and later started incorporating acrylic and dye inks. She feels that her at drawing is not great but somehow cutting the papers just clicked for her. After experiencing something very traumatic in her family turned into something positive for her to be able to develop her own style.



Jennifer is very strongly influenced by quotes. She also loves patterns and textured paper.When she sees a great paper she will think to herself…”a giraffe would look really good in that pattern”. However, she has to be very careful using patterned paper because of licensing so she makes a lot of her own now.



Jennifer also likes going to antique stores and garage sales with close friends. She also likes to sew sometime, but her artwork keeps her pretty busy.

  She lives in a suburb just outside of Houston. She enjoys the fact that there is a huge art community here and she enjoys being a part of it. Also two of her dearest friends Nicole Foshee and Adriana Whitney are artists awho live close to her. Being close friends with such talented ladies has encouraged her to continue doing the best she can.
Jennifer first started selling on Etsy since 2008.  She was so ecstatic when she made her first sale!

 
Jennifer also has been involved with licensing her art almost two years. She was selling her artwork at the First Saturday Artist Market here in Houston and someone bought one of her original pieces. One thing lead to another and it was shown to a licensing agent. She got a call a few days later and viola. She is currently signed with Cypress Fine Art Licensing out of New Jersey
 
Jennifer is graciously offering one of my readers this print with the message "My dreams are here to stay." Just leave a comment for a chance to win. The winner will be announced next Monday September 24th.

25 comments:

Jennifer Hine said...

It's good to get to know Jennifer and her art a little bit more! I love the quotes, and the story about making a bug book for her son! The item offered in the giveaway would be absolutely perfect for my friend. Thank you for the giveaway :)

jennifermhine at gmail dot com

Aloquin said...

Wow, this is the neatest and cleanest mixed media I've ever seen! Even if it's digital, I personally consider it mixed media if it's a digital image of a painting and a map. or other medium. :) I would love to win this print!

Lizzi said...

I love her artwork! I hope I win!

aronadesigns@yahoo.com

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

Love getting to know other Etsy shops....had to favorite the whole shop because I like Jennifer's style!

Faith Caroline said...

What beautiful work!!!

Kim said...

Thanks Mechelle for intruducing us to Jennifer!! I loooove her artwork . . .and the story of the bug book for her son was just precious:)Thanks for letting us know about the giveaway!

bananaorangeapple said...

I really enjoyed reading this.

I love her print of the stars with the quote from Psalms. I think I would like to make a quilt like that one day..

hannahjb123 at yahoo dot com dot au

Cheri said...

Wow, what a beautiful print, as is all of her artwork! Thanks for sharing her story... very inspiring! Thanks for the giveaway!

Emily said...

Gorgeous work! I love the my dreams are to stay here print. Especially considering I'm one of the only people from my high school that moved back home after college. :-)

klyons said...

Gorgeous pieces, would love to win! :)

.ambre. said...

what a cool story! I love it when kids can overcome fear through art!
ambre.sautter at gmail dot com

Lindsey said...

very cute poster

Unknown said...

I really love this print. It would be perfect on my wall. :)

jolene.duran at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

so cute, would love to win
lguilboATgmailDOTcom

kiddomerriweather said...

Great artwork!

kiddomsg at gmail dot com

beyond said...

the LOVE print is charming!

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

Love the shoes print! thank you for the contest!

inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

eclairre said...

The print is so cute. Thank you! eclairre(At)ymail(DOT)com

Recovered Fundie said...

That's a neat blog post - art is born from necessity.

Lisa

Megan C said...

Thanks for giving me the chance to win. I love the saying, it fits my life :)

magspie9(at)gmail.com

TopHat said...

Oh This is so perfect! After 26 years, I'm finally going after what I want!

hrfarley at gmail dot com

Paula said...

I love the dreams print. It's perfect!
paula.elizabeth at cox dot net

Anonymous said...

My boyfriend and I are separated by a ten hour distance as he finally gets his master's degree in biology. My oh my, I would love to send this to him in the mail with a little hand-written love letter. Thanks for the opportunity!


A Little PA Gal & Her Kentucky Boyfriend

LElizabeth0831@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Her work is so motivating and inspirational. Her work is just amazing

Unknown said...

I hope I win!

hockeyheaven7@yahoo.com