Meet Lisa Jennings | Painter, Sculptor and Teaching Artist

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

Hi Lisa, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As a full time artist for close to thirty years now, risk taking is a large part of how my life is lived from day to day. Creating paintings and sculpture are something that you create in the hopes that people will connect with them enough to purchase them. When I first started my career as a artist I walked away from a salary position with bonuses yet I was willing to take the risk to follow my dream and am very grateful that is has worked out!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am labeled as a mixed media artist but I feel like I have a much broader understanding of many mediums. I knew from when I was a little girl that I wanted to become an artist. I was brought up in a home full of art, music and culture. Both my parents were talented and shared their love of art with us as we grew up. I’m the only child out of 5 kids that became a full time artist. I feel that what sets me apart with my work is that I create paintings and sculpture out of wood & stone. I feel gifted in the fact that I also can share what I learn with others as a teaching artist. My love of being outside in Mother Nature is my inspiration and my church so my art is my spiritual path.
I started my professional career as an artist at age 35 after being in the printing industry. I walked away from security and took the risk to step out and jump into my dream of becoming a full time artist. It was very scary and hard on me in many ways. I met my spouse 6 months after I quit. He was a famous master artist in the Southeast and I had no idea who he was. We met by chance at a local art gallery I worked part time at and there was an instant friendship which led to our marriage and partnership for many years to come. The biggest challenge for me as an artist was caretaking both my parents and Anton as they aged, got sick & transitioned. Life called me in another direction for quite a few years but I kept creating, having shows and my galleries believed in me to keep on showing & selling my work. There have been many hardships for me but at the end of the day I was provided for and have been able to keep my life, home and studio. Learn to ask and receive. I feel in the depth of my sorrows were some of the greatest gifts given instilled in me to be humble and live much more simply with joy and appreciation for life. I’m truly grateful to still be creating and sharing what I have learned with others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If one of my dearest friends were to come for a visit I’d show them to all my favorite places to walk, We would walk the forest and rivers close to where I live. Our days would start slow with a coffee chat and breakfast in the morning possibly followed by a walk in one of 6 parks that are near by in Bellevue. My favorite places are Hidden Lake State Park, Gossett Track, Percy Warner and Edwin Warner park plus I have a small day state park at the end of my street. We would visit some local book stores and eat lunch out at the Loveless Cafe or some of our great foodie places in Germantown or East Nashville. I love visiting Cheekwood and the Frist Art Museum with out of town guests. I couldn’t let my friend go home without seeing a music venue but I like some of the out of the way places where a lot of the musicians play that are on the road but love to jam on a Friday or Saturday night.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to make this article in memory of my beloved Anton Weiss (1936-2019) my partner in life. He was a master artist who shared his great depth of knowledge about art & outlook on life. He taught me more than I could possibly achieve in a masters program, I learned how to create with many mediums that is why I am so accomplished. He also touched the lives of so many other artist that are well known in the Nashville area today.

Website: https://lisajenningsart.com

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