A Conversation With Tom Jennerwien - Crusty Old Diver

By John Tolmie

I walk down to a large wooden outbuilding nestled at the bottom of a rolling grassy hill and knock at the door. A handsomely fit gentleman with a friendly smile silhouetted by a white mustache greets me with a firm handshake and invites me into his studio. Tom Jennerwein’s smiling eyes peak over his spectacles as he laughs, “Please excuse the mess! It’s been awhile since I’ve had a chance to organize, but this is where the magic happens!” His words drift a bit as I take in the eclectic surroundings. Two easels display ongoing works, stacks of masterpieces are piled in haphazard mounds, paint brushes and various mediums clutter the desks and fascinating set-props dot the walls of the interior. As I take in the studio I ask what guided him to the artist’s life. “I used to watch my grandfather paint when I was 3 or 4 years old. It was mesmerizing! I loved the smell of turpentine and paint! ” Tom recalls, “He would exhibit in Washington D.C. when I was a kid and even donated many of his works to the Smithsonian.” At an early age it was instilled in Tom that being a professional artist wasn’t a far reaching goal and he was encouraged to start painting in his teens; a passion that he has dedicated himself to for the past forty years.

He joined the Air Force out of high school and served as a lineman for four years during the Vietnam era. He then served five years in the Army reserves as a nurse and has continued on in the medical profession ever since. “Painting is my greatest therapeutic outlet. The line of work that I do as a nurse is critical to life. Most patients that I see have a procedure done, and most go well, but then there are those emergencies when they are in a critical state and close to death. I deal with that a lot. So with that kind of stress, I deal with it through my art. It’s a channel to diffuse the pressures that I’m up against during those two hours with that patient.” We discussed his subject matter; shorelines, peaceful landscapes, still-life paintings of fruit, portraits, nudes, and the like. None struck me as a product of stress. But Tom explains that, “The paintings don’t have to come out as gory or dramatic but rather something that’s appealing to the viewer. I’ve been given a good balance. I carry a lot around from my job but my art gives me a great outlet to deal with it.”

Tom works in various mediums as an oil painter, watercolorist and plein air painter. “Most of my oils are finished in the studio and are usually still-life’s, figures or nudes.” Tom explains, “But most are stilllife’s. Still-life’s have a certain genre that people like to have in their dining room or kitchen area. So they really are timeless.” What drew me to Tom were his seascape paintings; both his watercolors and his oils. “The sea is my greatest inspiration, my biggest draw being near the water. It’s almost like meditating. Once I decide on a subject matter, I go into a sort of zen mode and focus on a particular scenery.” Tom brightens, “Everything seems to fall into place so to speak. It’s an ongoing process, and there are always mistakes. But that’s how I learn. And sometimes those mistakes become an integral part of the painting.” He digs for an old Bob Ross saying. We both chuff, “Happy Accidents!”, and start to laugh. “Yes mistakes continue to help me mature as an artist!”

I ask Tom what he feels is his greatest accomplishment as an artist. Tom contemplates and looks up, “Anyone who has bought my art, they have a piece of me on their wall. They get to experience over and over what I experienced. It’s a compliment to me that they are enjoying it in their home.” He smiles, “I guess it just feels good to feel appreciated.” I mention getting paid is a great way to be appreciated. He laughs and says, “The money is good. Yes. But I would say that being accepted as a member of the International Marine Artists (Guild) at the Mystic Seaport was a huge deal. I’vebeen painting there for the past four years and it’s really been an honor.” We discussbeing grouped in with other artists there and his eyes brighten. “I’ll be having my first sole exhibit at the Hartford Fine art Gallery through the end of October! It’s Exciting news. My own show for the first time at an incredible venue!”

To purchase one of Tom’s pieces visit jennerwein.pixels.com or visit Tom on Instagram @tomjennerwein or email Tom at h2oclr1@Yahoo.com