John E. Jennings, Jr.

I always painted and drew as a child. Art was a “respite”, a way to immerse myself into creating and representing all the natural beauty that exists. It continues to be a part of who I am.

When I initially attended college, my major was architecture. I had a true interest, as I had created many rough house illustrations and floorplans, on my own. This major was creative, but also technical. Unfortunately, that scared me off. So, I left and went into retail management as a career. I worked for several good companies and finally landed with the department store Woodward and Lothrop, where I stayed. Merchandising was my forte. This involved presenting and displaying merchandise to make it the most appealing, and to generate further sales. It was purposeful and creative. Still, art was a great part of my life. While there, I went back to college and finished with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications, from Towson University. It turns out that I also had a talent for writing and possessed many other needed skills. This was also something else creative. I never perused opportunities in this industry because my management career was going well.

When Woodard and Lothrop closed, I had to reassess my priorities. So, I went back to school and received an education in interior design, from the Maryland Institute College of Art. This has always been a passion of mine. I also liked this curriculum because I had courses in the elements and principles of design, various architecture courses, and various art courses. It combined everything. At this time, the NFB (National Federation of the Blind), asked me to become the artistic consultant for their major annual fundraiser. It involved developing themes, and event concepts as well as personally creating designs and decorations, and directing the staff that was supplied to me. This is something that I really enjoyed and did for almost ten years.

Subsequently, I have been producing acrylic and watercolor paintings, which include a focus on creating residential renderings, in watercolor. I love working with color, and often I see colors when others may not. A shell or a tree may look plain beige or brown, but there are subtleties of color that exist, such as accents of green, grey, or perhaps red. These reveal, added details and textures. I initially began paintings with watercolor, because of how these can be massaged or manipulated to create interesting images and added techniques.

This is what I try to convey through my paintings and other creations, whether they are more representative or more abstract.  Additionally, I create decorative arts, such as bird houses, decorative boxes, wreaths, etc. I also provide interior design/decorating consulting.  Today, art is an ever-existing source of pleasure, therapy, challenge, and contentment. Whatever the form, I am happiest when creating.

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