Jenifer J. Renzel
San Jose, CA
"Every day that I get to make something is a great day."
About Me
Jen Renzel is a visual artist focused on mixed-media paintings and assemblage/sculptural work. She also enjoys creating miniatures in both mediums.
Jen creates unique characters, monsters, and aliens in their native habitat. She is inspired by vintage science fiction films/novels and broken-down antique toys. She also loves dark art -- works by Hieronymus Bosch, Goya, Francis Bacon, and Jan Švankmajer.
Jen retired as a software technical writer several years ago. She now spends her time learning, drawing, painting, and volunteering. She tutors an in-country Ukrainian student in English, volunteers as an observer for an organization that monitors ICE activity and documents abuses, and works as a volunteer front desk at her studio, Visual Philosophy.
She lives with her wife and three Persian cats in San Jose, CA.
Examples of My Work
Fun Facts
I have an incredibly vivid imagination and crazy dreams, whereas my sister has Aphantasia and cannot picture things in her mind's eye at all.
I have created tiny creatures out of human teeth.
I am phopic about centipedes and flying earwigs (yes, sometimes they fly).
I love chidlren's candy like Nerds and Sour Patch Kids.
More About Me
What is the funniest or most unexpected reaction someone has had to your work?
Someone looked at one of my creepier assemblages and said it made her nauseous!
How do you hope people feel when they engage with your art?
I hope they forget themselves momentarily while trying to figure out my work. I love it when they come up with an interpretation that I wasn't expecting.
Which places, people, or moments inspire you the most?
Any travel where I see things I've not seen before. This can be in nature, urban, rich, or poor neighborhoods, or looking at fine architecture or graffiti.