Jennie Kristel grew up by the ocean in Massachusetts. Books, art and music intertwined to make a deeply rich upbringing in which she explored. In high school, art classes sustained her.
She studied interpersonal communication, psychology, and theatre at Emerson College, and received an M.A. in Expressive Arts Therapies from Lesley University.
Since 1995, she has woven her art making with her work as a healer and teacher, and artist. Having worked in clinical and non-clinical settings as an expressive arts therapist using all of the arts, she has used the arts to help people and groups find meaning, uncover and heal hard truths, and increase self-esteem. She is in private practice, creating art and seasonal celebrations for healing and community building. Her work, since 2003 as an international trainer of expressive arts therapies has increasingly meant exploring issues of social and environmental justice from a wide variety of perspectives enters her art making in a myriad of ways including the understanding that relationship with the natural landscape is a core human experience. Creating an artistic container for people to without repercussions is a core piece of her work in looking at how we live in a world often defined by marginalization, judgment, and assumptions.
Jennie has studied with master printers in Vermont including Brian Cohen, and Carol MacDonald. Primarily a self taught artist, she has taken many classes in clay building, weaving, and painting to support her process. Her art addresses issues pertaining to the spiritual, physical, and emotional aspects of human life, often utilizing leaves, feathers, and other flat objects that come alive and interact with each other in deeply human scenarios.
She works in printmaking, painting, and fiber. She believes that art and functionality do not need to be separate, and along with framed and unframed work, for many years, Jennie has been exploring ways to integrate her prints in other forms and so has been weaving her prints, into fiber based tapestries, lampshades and other objects. A mother of 3, stepmother of two, and grandmother of 4, Jennie weaves her worlds as a parent, wife, and therapist into her art as well. Jen shows throughout the Northeast, and her work is in private collections in and around New England, and Asia, She lives in Dartmouth MA with her husband Michael, and cat Nori.
You can contact Jennie @ 802-373-5030 or click the link to contact her today.
References upon RequestÂ