Jennifer McBrien is a thread illustrator, who uses hand and freehand machine embroidery to illustrate her thoughts of our natural and complicated world. Her process begins with ink drawings from observation and photographic resources. The rest relies on mind ramblings, juxtapositions and compositional techniques. In her prior life as a painter, she would always begin with a wall paper pattern that she would layer onto, to hide and reveal. Currently, Toile, decorative fabrics, or canvas are her backdrops. She appliqué’s or directly stitches figures, birds, and plants onto the fabrics to suggest collaboration of human life within the natural world. McBrien is a Baltimore native who began her artistic career as a painter, exhibiting her work throughout the East Coast from the mid-’80s to mid-2000s. As a painter, she received two Baltimore City Arts Grants and a Maryland State Individual Artist Award in painting in 2005. McBrien began her fiber direction about a decade ago, using felt appliqué and a freehand machine stitching method to create functional and decorative works that explore her love for birds and the midcentury aesthetic. She has displayed her fiber works in a number of craft shows throughout the east coast including the American Craft Council show in Baltimore. She has her studio in a historic mill building in the Hampden area of Baltimore where they use to produce cotton duck canvas which has become one of McBrien’s main materials she uses. Throughout her career, McBrien taught for 30 years in Baltimore County when she ran a high school art program for the last half of her teaching career. Now retired, she is a full-time artist who has travel for numerous craft shows throughout the eastern region of the US, participated in a number of art exhibits in Baltimore, and is a member of the Charm City Craft Mafia.
Is there a story behind your business name?
jennyjen42 represents my two selves : The “jenny” of my business name refers to my childhood self . The cut felt birds and fabrics that play with whimsy. The “Vintage Inspired” organic cotton fabrics I use to create functional products that reflect the nostalgic of its design, such as the felt lined, fabric eyeglass case or zipper pouch. The “jen” of my business is the serious birder and observer that proves I know birds and plants with my observational drawing skills
What's your typical day?
I walk through a beautiful wooded trail to my studio that is on a historic mill close to the heart of Baltimore City. The Mill used to produce cotton duck canvas which is one of my most used materials. The walk helps me to focus on my day, the birds that I spot or hear motivate my passion and my content, and the smell of each season wakes me up from my sleepy haze. It's such a peaceful way to begin my day, and the thought that this is in the middle of my beloved city that gets a bad rap from people who don't know this city. I then go to work in my lovely studio that has great windows on two sides for glorious light! I tend to work a 7-9 hour day, depending on the season. I have a studio mate, who also works in fibers and is great to spin ideas off of as well as brainstorm on marketing and the ways of Etsy. My workdays ends with that walk back home which is a nice transition for work to home. I couldn't ask for a better lifestyle!
Is there a story behind your business name?
jennyjen42 represents my two selves : The “jenny” of my business name refers to my childhood self . The cut felt birds and fabrics that play with whimsy. The “Vintage Inspired” organic cotton fabrics I use to create functional products that reflect the nostalgic of its design, such as the felt lined, fabric eyeglass case or zipper pouch. The “jen” of my business is the serious birder and observer that proves I know birds and plants with my observational drawing skills
What's your typical day?
I walk through a beautiful wooded trail to my studio that is on a historic mill close to the heart of Baltimore City. The Mill used to produce cotton duck canvas which is one of my most used materials. The walk helps me to focus on my day, the birds that I spot or hear motivate my passion and my content, and the smell of each season wakes me up from my sleepy haze. It's such a peaceful way to begin my day, and the thought that this is in the middle of my beloved city that gets a bad rap from people who don't know this city. I then go to work in my lovely studio that has great windows on two sides for glorious light! I tend to work a 7-9 hour day, depending on the season. I have a studio mate, who also works in fibers and is great to spin ideas off of as well as brainstorm on marketing and the ways of Etsy. My workdays ends with that walk back home which is a nice transition for work to home. I couldn't ask for a better lifestyle!
What's your typical studio playlist?
I listen to a lot of NPR in the morning. Once that gets to be too much I listen to BBC6 which helps to connect me to my in-laws that live in the UK, plus they play a lot of punk rock from the late '70s and early '80s that have been a huge influence on my punk rock self! I have a number of Spotify playlist as well that have a lot of music from PJ Harvey, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Velvet Underground ,David Bowie as well as newer alternative artists. I also like a good Dave Bubeck and Thelonious Monk to get me into some great jazz favorites.
What has been the most difficult challenge for you as an artist/maker?
My biggest challenge is the line between a fine artist and maker. I have work that I feel fit more into an art gallery and then I have more affordable pieces that are more functional. I sometimes feel like I am split between my artistic voice and message, and my need to make a living.
See more of JennyJen42's work at: www.jennyjen42.com
Use coupon code AMUSE2020 to get 15% off your order during Amuse!
I listen to a lot of NPR in the morning. Once that gets to be too much I listen to BBC6 which helps to connect me to my in-laws that live in the UK, plus they play a lot of punk rock from the late '70s and early '80s that have been a huge influence on my punk rock self! I have a number of Spotify playlist as well that have a lot of music from PJ Harvey, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Velvet Underground ,David Bowie as well as newer alternative artists. I also like a good Dave Bubeck and Thelonious Monk to get me into some great jazz favorites.
What has been the most difficult challenge for you as an artist/maker?
My biggest challenge is the line between a fine artist and maker. I have work that I feel fit more into an art gallery and then I have more affordable pieces that are more functional. I sometimes feel like I am split between my artistic voice and message, and my need to make a living.
See more of JennyJen42's work at: www.jennyjen42.com
Use coupon code AMUSE2020 to get 15% off your order during Amuse!
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