A Little Bit About Me!

Hi. Hello. Hey there! I’m Jenn. I guess it's time for a little bit about me. I definitely struggle whenever I am tasked with introducing myself. I feel like there’s so much to who I am that I can’t just write it all out in a paragraph or two. I guess I’ll try, but I'm not making any promises!

Let’s start with being a mother, which I never thought I would be. It was a choice I made in my teenage years. I was never the little girl that dreamed of her wedding day, the person she would marry, or about the kids she wanted to have. I just knew deep down for as long as I could remember it wasn’t the path for me. It wasn’t until I was a year out from graduating from my undergrad when I found out that I was pregnant. At that point in my life, I had lived quite the fun, wild, and unique lifestyle. I was happy to say I had experienced a lot and as much as I knew I wasn’t done living; a child would only add to that life. It took me a week of long debates with myself and the what ifs and can I’s, to come to the decision that I was ready to be a mom. Who knew?! It was just my next chapter and even though I may not have been truly ready, I thought back then I was.

So, I had my first son. Looking back, obviously I would have done a lot of things differently, but I have learned over the years to give myself grace and to know that I did and am doing the best I can with what I have. I love both my boys with everything I have inside of me, and I wouldn’t change their presence in my life for anything. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been fun and full of love. It’s the most important job I have ever had in my life.

I am a Creative Arts Facilitator. What is that you ask? Well, it’s a fun way of saying I went to school for art therapy, psychology, art education, and dance and don’t have my license to call myself an art therapist! I do not assess or treat anyone in any clinical manner, but I do, however, show people how art can help them find who they are, show them they have a voice, and just have a ton of fun creating! I work with people's treatment teams if they request, I become a part of theirs, these are teams of support people like psychologists, doctors, family members, friends, job coaches, day program staff, residential staff, advocates, etc. I have worked with all kinds of people, from all walks of life, but the majority of the people I support are adults with developmental disabilities and physical differences. Owning my own arts studio, people ask me all the time when I am quitting my day job but why would I?? I get to do art all day every day and help support people to find their voice using art! It’s the best day job I could possibly ask for on top of owning my own arts studio.

From what I hear, I am mostly referred to as the girl with the bangs, tattoos, and big glasses! I love a great glass of prosecco and I will never get sick of pizza, burgers, burritos, and all the cheese. Fight me.

I’ve gone through a lot. A lot of which was because I didn’t know how to love myself and I put myself in situations that were just straight up abusive and terrible. I do not play victim to that as I have learned to know my worth, to use my voice not just for others around me, but for myself. I am learning that I can say “no” and it’s ok. I can advocate for who I am and what I need, and it is not selfish. It is not my job to fix others. Even though I still sometimes find myself sliding down that rabbit hole, I am quick to become aware of it now and pull myself out. I still want others to know I am there for them but not at the detriment of my own well-being.

I am a Taurus through and through. I am an artist who has struggled to call themselves that for so long. I may not create a lot of my own art now a days, but I feel as though the experiences I create for others to find and work in their creativity is an art in itself. I am a curator of fun, creative, unique experiences and I am more than ok with that. It is where I find my joy.

I grew up in a household where music was everything. We were exposed to so many incredible artists and I will always love my parents for that. I am a 90’s grunge broad through and through but love SO many other kinds of music and musical artists; jazz being a really close runner up to grunge. I love 80’s and 90’s movies just as much!

I am Mrs. Clause and will fight anyone who tells me Nov 1st is too early to start playing Christmas music and to decorate. I will also be leaving my decorations and tree up until late February. If I am feeling really bad and need to cheer up, I will play Christmas music, even if it is July.