Inside the Studio: Jennifer Kish
- Art Dealer Street
- May 20
- 4 min read
Jennifer Kish is an artist whose landscapes invite viewers to explore the intersection of nature and human experience through the lens of beauty, tension, and emotional depth. With a versatile approach, Jennifer spans multiple mediums—oil paints, charcoal, clay, and pastels—creating a rich, textured dialogue between her environment and the emotions it evokes. Drawing inspiration from the landscapes she encounters, her work reflects the complex interplay of memory, melancholy, and reflection on the world’s ongoing challenges. In this Inside the Studio interview, Jennifer takes us into her creative process, revealing how she channels the raw energy of the world around her into powerful works of art.
Read on to learn more in an exclusive interview with Jennifer Kish :
1. Jennifer, your art spans multiple mediums. How do you choose which medium best fits the ideas you want to explore in a given piece?
Generally, the selection of material happens without too much conscious thought. I have different “stations” set up in my studio: one with clay materials, another with charcoal and pastels, and of course, my main station with oil paints. This setup allows me to easily use different materials whenever an idea presents itself. I have started exploring ideas with more than one medium regularly now, often in parallel.
2. You seem to be interested in the intersection of nature and human experience. Can you explain how this relationship is explored through your work?
I am primarily a landscape painter. In my work, I try to convey some of the emotions I have felt while experiencing a landscape that has captivated me. Sometimes these emotions are primarily generated by the landscape itself, and other times, they are emotions I have brought with me that are reflected by the landscape.
3. Your pieces often convey both beauty and tension. What do you want your audience to feel when they engage with your art?
This can vary. In recent years, I think I have been seeking calm and tranquility, a refuge from the troubled world we live in. In some of my farmland pieces, I evoke emotions that resonate with memories or experiences in a similar landscape. Perhaps a sense of melancholy reflection can be felt when viewing these beautiful old buildings that have outlived their usefulness and are slowly disappearing. In the background, I am always angry and worried about the damage our beautiful world is sustaining, and this comes through as tension, fear, sadness, and regret.
4. How does the act of creation help you process personal or societal issues, and how do these themes manifest in your art?
It’s been a crazy time since the pandemic in 2020. During the past several years, there have been several deaths of close family members and horrible political and environmental disasters. Being in my studio, working, is the only time I think I feel relief. Creative experimentation seems to allow me to relax and think, at least for a while. I try to find the beauty in the world, although often a bit of fear and anxiety creeps in, and the scenes become darker and moodier.
5. There’s a strong sense of texture in your pieces. How do you incorporate texture into your work to enhance the viewer's experience?
Sometimes I create landscapes using clay, which is baked and then painted. These pieces are primarily about texture, as the paint colors I use are very subdued. Other times, I add texture by painting without brushes, using palette knives to apply paint thickly, creating a great deal of texture. Even using different types of brush strokes can add texture.
6. How do you approach the planning process for large-scale installations, and what challenges come with working at that scale?
I haven’t really done any large-scale installations yet.
7. Your portfolio showcases a wide range of subjects. How do you stay inspired and push your creative boundaries with each new project?
I try to let my ideas for new projects come naturally. Usually, I am inspired by something I see in my wandering that fascinates or excites me. I love to travel to places where the landscape is a little different from what I am used to. Sometimes this provides inspiration to explore a new type of landscape, and sometimes the contrast makes the landscapes I know seem new and even more special. This can also inspire new projects.
8. For artists just beginning to explore multi-disciplinary work, what advice would you give about staying true to their ideas while experimenting with different materials?
It’s hard to grow as an artist without experimentation. My main advice would be to have courage! Don’t be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone. Don’t worry about what others think. Turn off that inner critic sometimes if you can.
Jennifer Kish’s work is a testament to the healing power of art. Through her landscapes, she not only captures the essence of the natural world but also reflects the emotions tied to it, offering both personal and universal insight. Her ability to express beauty and tension in a single frame invites viewers to experience her journey, one that is shaped by memory, nature, and the ongoing complexities of life. Jennifer’s advice to fellow artists—to embrace experimentation, find courage, and silence the inner critic—serves as an inspiring reminder to stay true to one’s vision while pushing the boundaries of creative exploration.
You can learn more about Jennifer Kish and her work via these links: Website: https://www.jenniferkish.art/ Instagram: @jenniferkishart Saatchi: @JenniferKish
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