4 minute read
Jennifer Sherman Fine Art
from October 2022
by VIP Magazine
Celebrating 45 Years!
story by Maragret King
jennifer sherman fine art
story and photography by Erin Daniel
What’s the next best thing to going on vacation? How about having art displayed around your home that reminds you of all things coastal? Jennifer Sherman, a Low Country native, is a full-time artist whose paintings transport you to the Carolina coast in a single glance! Born and raised in Yemassee, South Carolina, Jennifer grew up loving art. Surrounded by other artistically inclined and creative family members, such as her mother and grandfather, she learned from their imaginations and developed a fine-tuned one of her own.
“I would often spend time with my grandfather who would sketch funny pictures on sticky notes or a piece of yellow paper from his legal pad, and carve wooden airplanes with me out of scrap wood from projects my father had finished up as a carpenter. My mother also instilled a love for creativity by writing fictional short stories with me as a child. She could always turn anything into a magical adventure.”
When it came time for college, Jennifer attended Anderson University where she briefly studied Architectural Drawing and Graphic Design as an Interior Design major, but soon realized her passion was deeply rooted in painting. Life brought her to Florence, where she currently resides while raising her two children, Ellie Kate and Jude. With her paternal grandfather having lived here, Jennifer states that she finds a sense of nostalgia, family, and community here. Pulling inspiration from her birthplace has allowed her to share a little piece of her origins with those more inland!
One of her favorite, most sentimental pieces was completed this year, titled The Mustard Seed, is based on one of her favorite Bible verses, Matthew 17:20, which tells us that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains and anything is possible. Jennifer started on this piece when her father was diagnosed with rapidly-spreading cancer
in hopes that he would soon be healed. Unfortunately, it was only a short few months before he passed. “While that healing did not give me more time with him here, God was still faithful in delivering his promise. This piece has been a beautiful reminder to me that God's blueprint for our lives doesn't always play out in ways we hope, imagine or pray that they will and yet, he is still faithful.” While grieving the unexpected loss of her father, Jennifer was inspired to paint a beautiful picture of a hummingbird. Being that she is fascinated by a bird’s intuition and their ability to be carefree in knowing their needs will be provided for, she has been able to draw the parallel in her own life, knowing that God will always be there to comfort her and allow her to find peace in this difficult time. She is reminded of this in another one of her favorite Bible verses, Matthew 6:26. A more lighthearted story follows her least favorite painting. Jennifer saw a fun idea for an acrylic pour painting on Pinterest and decided to give it a try using a largescale canvas, 48” x 48” to be exact. As she worked, she realized this painting wasn’t turning out the way she envisioned. In an effort to salvage the canvas, Jennifer brought it outside where she doused it with her garden hose and washed all the paint off. She ended up rescuing the canvas and was able to recycle it for another painting! Some of the biggest moments in her painting career have happened within the past few years, including signing a contract with West Elm, which allowed her to sell her artwork at their Charleston location! She also was commissioned locally to paint the mural on the side of the former Mailroom Barbershop building here in Florence! Even though they have since relocated, this was still a huge accomplishment for Jennifer to experience! Future dreams and goals include opening her own art gallery or at least seeing her paintings hung in a museum! After seeing her beautiful work, I believe these dreams are absolutely within her reach!
Jennifer Sherman Fine Art
To see more of her artwork or shop for your own piece, you can visit www.jennifershermanart. com! You can also follow along on Facebook or Instagram (@jenniferashleysherman.fineart)!
