Rising Stars: Meet Jennifer Glance

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Glance. 

Hi Jennifer, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I was always an artist I was awarded an art scholarship in high school and a Scholastic Art Award; however, I did not want to pursue art as a career. I came to this realization after accepting a commission for a fellow student. I was to create an epic painting for a symphony he had written, the painting was to be at the premiere. I loved creating this commission, bringing imagery to his musical vision. A heroine bathing in a waterfall, Pegasus, a hero, ethereal clouds, a teenage dream in watercolor. Opening night, the reception came, I was the proud artist representing her work. A man-made a comment to me,” It is not as detailed close-up.” “Yes, it is to be viewed from a distance,” I replied. I used pointillism in the landscape and kept the values in the figures and Pegasus close together. The composer loved the painting, the commission was a triumph. Did this guy know I was a kid? Did he even paint? Whose dad says this to a child at a school concert? My father carefully observed my expression and said, ” You’ll need a thicker skin if you want to be an artist.” I did my first show in 1994. I decided, no, I am still not ready. I did a few commissions in the early 2000s. I started painting for myself during these years. Watercolor was replaced with oil paints, I watched Bob Ross on PBS and was reminded, painting is supposed to be fun. My first group exhibition was at The Ann Arbor Art Center, curated by Anna van Schaap, followed by The Carr Center in Detroit, and Galleri 2987. I started a website, I approached galleries. I had my first solo exhibition at Art Studio 1219, now The Foundry in Port Huron. At Artprize 2018, I was invited to join All Art Works, an online gallery based in NYC and Grand Haven Michigan. This year, I participated in my first international (online) show, Femina, and was featured in The Gallery, British Vogue, Vanity Fair UK, and The Art Edit, House and Garden UK. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I will always have rejection and criticism of my art, when a gallery rejects my work, it is hard not to take it personally, other times, I just accept I did not submit work that fit the theme of the exhibition. I have had solo shows cancelled due to the pandemic, so I have used this time to paint for myself, and to only submit to online exhibits, charity auctions, or online galleries. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a landscape painter in oil and cold wax medium. I use bold impasto. I love painting dramatic skies, water, movement, and atmosphere in my paintings. “I can feel the wind in your paintings” and ” I love the reflections of light on the water, I want to wake up to this painting every day” have been my favorite compliments. I take photographs to capture the landscape, allowing me to be present in the moment. My photographs have been in exhibitions alongside Ansel Adams at The Crooked Tree Art Center in Petosky and part of My Great Lakes at the Detroit Institute of Arts Instagram exhibition. 

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love old architecture. I painted the abstract interior, “Harmonie Park, Old Detroit Opera House” after participating in an exhibition downtown. Sometimes shiny and new does not have character. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jenniferglance.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferglanceart/
• Other: https://www.allartworks,net

Image Credits
Robert S. Barlage
Jennifer Glance