The Artist

Since I was young I have been exploring different mediums of creative expression in the world of hand crafts. I have always felt allured by traditional crafting and the process of making things from scratch. I am now focused on the arts of stoneware ceramics, knives, and bonsai pottery.

My ceramics signature is my Chinese name written in script ( 琳), given to me at birth by my grandmother, meaning "Beautiful Jade".

In my years I have experienced a lot of time living with strong waves of anxiety and depression, which I've come to see as a gift that has connected me to the deepest level of passion in my art.  Both art and immersing myself in nature has been a form of healing, expression, growing, and meditation.  Creating with my hands is a vital and indispensable part of my life, and every material I use is it's own eccentric guru.

This is something I am greatly passionate about.  The healing nature of arts and wilderness on the human psyche and mental health.  It came clear to me that connection is what keeps us alive, or perhaps, wanting to live.  So I told myself to do the things that make me feel most connected.  And there were some primary things that were/are the most prominent connections to life for me.  Nature, crafts/creation, social relation, and the rock and roll essence.

I was raised with a strong connection to nature and outdoor adventure, along with support toward inner strength and practicality.  I grew a self-reliant mindset that wanted to learn to create as many things myself as I could. Leaving home, I travelled with minimal belongings and walked alongside the natural elements. My interest in wilderness survival and rewilding grew vigorously, and the Knives and Fire Starters were born.

I focus on merging practicality and aesthetic. Minimalism and materialism. The organic and the urban.  Combining different mediums, materials, and elements.  Putting all my deepest love, passion, and meaning into these works.

Thank you for being here and sharing this journey with me.

With my love,

Jenna // 琳