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With a major in advertising and minor in journalism, my passion for the arts and writing started early. I've done package design, produced logos and also helped to create several book covers and book illustrations. Much of my professional life was spent working in college administration.
Many of my passions and dreams came true, after moving from big-city Denver to my small town in Oregon seven years ago. It seems the slower pace and more simplistic lifestyle helped to create the fertile soil I needed, to be able to sprout-out and blossom in numerous directions.
The first year after our move, I became the published author of a multi-cultural, young adult novel,
HOOT OWL SHARES THE DAWN (www.hickorytales.com) which won honorable mention in the 2005 Independent Publisher's Awards. In January of 2007, my second young adult novel, FIDGETS (www.rockpublishing.com/fidgets.htm) was published and sells all over the country and abroad. I'm currently finishing up my first draft of a humorous mystery novel, titled ALL UNDER THE SAME ROOF which takes place in a whacky retirement home. Most of us baby boomers will be able to relate to this funny and timely read.
I have been painting for about 6 years and love creating with bright and bold watercolors and truly enjoy coming up with unusual subjects to paint; oftentimes my paintings end up with a whimsical and humorous touch. My style of art reflects the simple joys in life that I bask-in every moment of each day. Many people have told me that my art makes them smile inside. which of course gives me warm fuzzies all over.
I also spend much time and effort creating 1-of-a-kind ink & watercolor greeting cards - - giggles for all occasions! Living in Florence, Oregon, a coastal-river town, I enjoy watching hundreds of gulls dart hither and yon, which gives me great joy. bringing these sassy and sociable creatures ashore, presenting a bird's eye view of human's nature, thus my ever-popular Gull's First Impressions© card series. ALL of my watercolors and printed words are created with much love and great joy!
Five years ago, I founded the Backstreet Gallery and today our artist co-operative is 'a happy home' for 25 local Florence artists and we've proven to be a vibrant art movement on the Oregon Coast. For more information and photos see websites below for 101 Things To Do, Chamber of Commerce and Merchants of Old Town.
As well as writing and creating art, I'm also involved with Peace Harbor Hospital's Patient Advocacy Council, serve on the Merchants of Old Town's board, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Basic Rights Oregon and various other interest groups.
Jennifer P. French
2190 13th Street
Florence, Oregon 97439
541-902-9505
JPeninhand@msn.com
Backstreet Gallery/Artist Co-op
1421 Bay Street Gallery in Historic Old Town
PO Box 313
Florence, Oregon 97439
541-997-8980
www.backstreetgallery.org
www.florenceartists.com/backstreetgallery.html
www.101things.com
www.florencechamber.com
www.florencechamber.com/moot
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