Meet Trailblazer Jennifer Ghormley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Ghormley.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jennifer. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In the ’70s, my father was always taking black&white photos and home movies of us as kids. This instilled a mindset in me of framing everything through the lens of a camera, so I studied photography in early college. One semester I wound up in a printmaking class, with no idea what I was in store for. The smell of the inks, the big strong presses, all the processes one could do – I was hooked! I continued to pursue printmaking through the rest of my undergrad and pursued more in-depth creative research in graduate school. Upon graduation, I worked as a Printshop Manager at Anderson Ranch Art Center for two years. I have participated in numerous artist residencies throughout Colorado, Spain, and Italy. I teach printmaking and mixed media courses and workshops to all ages and am currently a Visiting Teaching Artist at the University of Denver. Printmaking can be so many things, and my work continues to grow and evolve both through exhibiting 2-D work, 3-dimensional site-specific installations, as well as a small business that specializes in handmade Colorado gifts.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Homemade roads are never smooth, nor should they be. I never was one to follow the path of others, but rather, found my own way guided by a strong intuition. I’ve struggled with social acceptance, fitting in with the ‘cool kids’, feeling like I have to compete for success, crippling self-doubt, bad/unhealthy relationships, body dysmorphia, self-sabotage, the dark cloud of loneliness, etc.

BUT through all of this, I have also persevered, stuck to my creativity, benefited from vast quantities of time alone in the studio, matured and grown, and arrived in a happy place of self-acceptance. When I turned 40, I realized it was time to stand up for myself, set some REAL goals, and not let anything hold me back from my dreams, including myself.

I have also grown to understand and appreciate that I would never be where I am today were it not for a whole network of supportive people and other creatives who have believed in me and encouraged me throughout it all.
Advice for young women – stop worrying about how pretty or sexy you look and start focusing on shit that really matters – YOUR ART!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Jen G Studios – what should we know?
While I am primarily a printmaker working in screenprint and woodblock prints, I also work with mixed media and am now experimenting with 3D printing technology.

For my personal artwork, I create 2-D layered prints that investigate feelings and emotions that revolve around intimate relationships and the figure.

I also create site-specific installations that are designed to engage and delight the viewer. These are comprised of hundreds of handmade shapes that were once flat prints, then sewn and transformed into delicate inviting objects. The shapes all hang together, suspended from the ceiling, to create a larger overall shape that is responsive to the particular space in which it hangs.

I also have a small business making and selling Colorado souvenirs and small gifts at art and craft fairs and farmers markets.

What sets me apart from others is my simple design style, vibrant colors, and having a technically solid background in fine art.

We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
To be totally completely brutally honest, I think women need to dress the part of leadership in order to change the conversation. If we want to be heard for our intellect, if we want to be taken seriously and are searching for genuine equal opportunity, if we want to be true role models to the next generation and diminish the latent sexism in society at large, especially within the business/corporate atmosphere, then we have to stop dressing in a way that highlights our sexual appeal. It is distracting and inappropriate, and no one is listening to a very sound presentation or strong speech when we are distracted by the hairstyle, the makeup, how the boobs are displayed, how short the skirt is, silky smooth shaved legs and ridiculously high heels. This notion of traditional femininity is sold to us all day every day by advertising, culture, clothing manufacturers, and even women hold other women up to this archaic patriarchal construction of what a woman is supposed to look and act like. It is a double standard that continues to shortchange our intellectual capabilities, and we hold us back from being seen and treated equally.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jenniferghormley.com www.jengstudios.com
• Email: jen@jenniferghormley.com jengstudios@gmail.com
• Instagram: @jenniferghormleyartist @jengstudios

Image Credit:
Jennifer Ghormley

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