As a high schooler, Jennifer Ressmann was obsessed with going to college… “for something I could do, anything I was good at.”

“Really, I was just sort of panicking to find a way to get out of my small town and do something with my life. Looking for something – Badly. Something I could get into college for because it sure wasn’t going to be math or sports.

I pulled a 180 and changed my high school focus in my senior year. I wrote letters and spent time convincing my teachers to let me switch to art. And it really clicked. Our teacher was lovely. I often think this was the real reason I fell in love with art. Having a good teacher really makes a lot of difference in the direction you can go in in life.

I remember I learned how to cut a straight line free hand with a scissors. I thought (and still do) that was super cool! I think of her every time I do that!

From here, I was able to build something that maybe could take me somewhere. It was finally a nurturing loving space in my learning life. Unlike a lot of the male teachers that were supposed to teach us and inspire us, but really let me down. They mostly talked about football or droned on with boring dull lectures. And, some even hit on and had relationships with their students. It wasn’t easy.

From here, it was either art or car mechanics. I think I was too nervous to be with all the boys in shop – cuz that would have required a lot of push back in the 80’s and I just didn’t want the headache. Years before this, my Mom would give me a camera – every year for Christmas. Such a fun memory. Disc cameras! Anyone remember those? Ha! I was hooked.

So I was naturally able to develop that side of my creativity. It took me to art school and I studied Fine Art Photography and Printmaking. One of the best times of my life.

It’s always been really vital that I can make something from my art as I am. And, when I say “something” I mean – something. A living, a legacy. That I was important for – whatever reason. That my life meant something and there is some form of proof, maybe, and I won’t be forgotten. Ha! Silly.

I always found it hard to find inspiring helpful teachers before online stuff. So, it needed to be through a skill I could do naturally. Otherwise, I can become a plumber and make more money. Ha! Those plumbers! 😎

I love to work abstractly. I chose watercolors because it was something that I could take with me. That was easy to work with. And, as I worked with them I found how delightful the medium is to create with pretty colors and lovely papers.

When I create, it’s just a feeling of happiness. I want my work to make people smile. Cuz that is really important in the world. I want the work to express happiness.

I hope you can find inspiration in my work.” 💙