Jenny McConnell grew up in Sydney, Australia, but has been living in Edmonton, Canada since 2007. She started painting seriously in 2014. Her paintings are mixed media on canvas, using acrylic paint and collaging. Her passion for Jesus is seen throughout her paintings as they are inspired by His word.
Who is Your Muse?
I began my painting journey in 2014. I started painting nude women first as I love the female body but one day I stood in front of a blank canvas and said; ‘what should I paint next?’ I distinctly heard an answer; ‘Paint for Me.’ It was my Daddy God speaking to me. I have been a follower of Jesus since 1988 but my faith really started accelerating in the year 2013/2014. So when I heard Him say that, I was like ‘Of course!’ I haven’t looked back since. I love to paint His life giving word.'
Why do you connect with God?
I need to spend time with my Jesus. He is the lover of my soul. He says; ‘Arise my darling, my beautiful one and come away with me.’ (SS 2:10) He speaks to me in many different ways. It’s exciting to get insight into His heart and mind for myself, my family and others.
What makes God and art connect?
God is our creator. He is the first and most famous artist there is! He created us in His image (Genesis 1:27), therefore He created us to create. We love to create, it’s our happy place. And what is our art based on? Usually what He has created because it is so beautiful. He really does love to give His children good things (James 1:17).
What kind of art do you do and what kind of results have you seen by doing art in the way you do it?
My art is based on the word of God and words are often used in my art. I call it “She Art” because I start off with the word, ‘She…’ I often do young girls with Jesus. I have also made mini representations of women on 8 x10” wood blocks and have given 50% of profits away to ‘International Justice Mission’ (IJM), supporting an incredible organization that is advocating and bringing justice to vulnerable girls involved in sex trafficking. I have done about 50 of these in the past. Some have been orders and some I just do them and people identify with the painting and the words and want to buy them.
My paintings are symbolic and spiritual. The colors, numbers and mixed media I use, all mean different things based on biblical research. The best thing I love about what I do is the way people respond to my art. Many women have been moved to tears as the words and the painting resonates with their heart.
They recognize their own wounds and experience the healing power of the words used in my art. That is exactly what Jesus does, He heals the broken hearted (Psalm 147:3).
--Mariam Qureshi
Artist of the Month
Jenny McConnell