Yes, Redstreake is a very uncommon name, but for all of you out there who think it is a native American name, think again! It is actually the name of an English cider apple. (our name is actually in the old dictionary!  Look it up.)  I get asked that all the time so I thought I would clear that speculation up now J  Redstreake is my mother’s maiden name. She is also an artist but makes hand made collectors teddy bears.  She used to paint, but stopped when I was about 3 due to the fact that I tried to eat her oils one day (see, I had an affinity for paints even back then!). She quickly packed those away in case her ‘inspiring artist and paint eating daughter’ got lead poisoning.  Funny enough, I didn’t really have an affinity for the arts until I was a freshman in high school. I had to take an elective and my mom suggested art. I hated the idea, was more interested in doing theater, actually.  Growing up in New Mexico with art inspiration all around me, (I mean, even Georgia O’Keefe got inspired there!) I just didn’t get a clue.  Reluctantly, I took the art classes and immediately discovered that I had talent!  I fell in love with being able to create these amazing pieces of art with my own hands. I drew anything I could, using magazine models for my subjects. Portraits were where I started. Who knew that one day I would be painting horses one day and loving it!  

When did I sell my first piece? I had to ask my mom that and she said that, actually, SHE bought my first painting. She and my father were my biggest fans back then. If you visit their house now, it is sort of my own personal gallery within their walls. Proud parents, nothing is more inspiring.  I was very shy about my artwork 15 years ago, even up to 3 years ago! My father is a physicist and was always pushing the sciences on us kids. He quickly found out that I was horrid in the sciences and I excelled in the arts so he finally gave in and said go for it!  My father knew that it would be a challenge making it as an artist. It is a very competitive field. I am here to tell you, it CAN happen!  It took a while but persistence paid off and people are really starting to know the name Redstreake.  My hope is that when art lovers see my name, it will be as common as Bev Doolittle’s. (one of my favorite equine artists).

I am the mother of twins, and so many people ask me “how the heck do you do what you DO with 2 year olds running around?”  The answer is pretty simple, really. Having twins makes you an incredible multi-tasker! Before they came, I did maybe 4-5 paintings a year. I had horrible artist’s block, and just couldn’t sit in front of the canvas. I was not inspired at all.  Then I found out I was having twin boys and figured that art was going to be a distant memory after their birth! I mean, who can get ANYTHING done with twins around, right? Wrong! I started painting again when they were about a year old. Before that life was a blur and I barely remember getting to work and back.  An artist friend of mine introduced me to pastels. She had recently discovered them herself and was in serious love! She told me to give them a try, I would fall in love, too.  The first painting I did was absolute rubbish! I was so discouraged that I threw it out. I went back to my friend and told her she was delusional and that my first attempt was a disaster. She asked me what paper I used, shook her head and gave me some La Carte pastel paper. (It is very similar to simple sandpaper).  Try THIS, she said. It makes a HUGE difference!  So, I tried it and WOW! The pastels just flowed like butter on the paper and my first creation, a fjord horse, was a success!  I instantly became attached to this medium. Pastels were inspiring me again.

This same friend also told me about Ebay and how she sells her art there and gets good exposure. I figured since her suggestion to do pastels was a grand slam, why not try ebay, too.  She asked me if I had a scanner, a computer, an internet connection… I said yes, yes, and yes. I signed up for an ebay account that day, scanned in some simple paintings I did and went through the process of learning how to list them.  What a mess I created the first few times! You have to get used to the linguistics of this ebay beast, but must NOT get discouraged!  Give it a chance, my friend kept telling me! After I chewed off all my nails, pulled about half my auburn hair out and screamed at my computer screen for the umpteenth time, FINALLY I got it. The light bulb went off and I had my first successful listing! And guess what? I got a bid that night!  My first customer!!  Being half bald might be worth it after all! 

That was a year and a half ago, and Ebay has been an adventure since then! The first year I sold on Ebay I made almost 20k. My husband stared in disbelief. I didn’t even try as hard as I could! I mean, I have a 40-hour a week job working as a graphic designer at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, I have my own freelance graphic design business (Redstreake Design Solutions), my twins AND my 11 year old son, Jake, a most understanding husband and a house to run. Where do I find the TIME?  I suppose I should add the fact that I am also opening my own art gallery in Cowan in March, too. Yes, Redstreake Gallery will be started and hopefully will bring more art-loving (and espresso appreciating) folks to Cowan!  (A wonderful man, Dr. Jere Creed, is helping me on my road to being successful, and I owe him a huge thank you!)  Now, I am sure as you are reading this you are scratching your head and wondering what type of speed I am on, right?  No speed, it is pure love and drive that makes me do what I do. Pure devotion to the arts, to spreading my love of painting around in my classes I teach at the Center for the Arts in Cowan.  Love for giving to animal charities by selling my original paintings. (I donate a percentage of every original and commission sold to equine charities, animal shelters, etc.)  This is what I was born to do, folks. So, here I am!

Redstreake Gallery will be a great starting point for me to get my artwork out there.  I will be opening my temporary space in the Cowan Welcome Center in March. From there, I will be moving to my permanent home in the Hill Building near the Curly Willow.  Beautiful equine art as well as dogs, cats and other farm animals will be displayed there.  Work from some of my Art for Critters group (www.art4critters.com) will be displayed and on sale there as well.  (Art for Critters is a group of wonderful wildlife artists who give part of their earnings from art sales to animal charities. I am honored to be a part of them!)  I will be offering beautiful high quality gifts as well as fine art prints, commissions and originals. To top that all off, I will also be offering excellent espresso and fine pastries.  (I was a pastry chef for 4 years at a fine dining French restaurant in Ellicott City, Maryland.  Yes, I know, I have too many hobbies!)  I hope that you will come visit and say hi!

(Jennifer has been a Winchester resident for the past 5 years and lives happily with her 3 children, her husband, 2 cats and a Dalmatian named Molly.  Thanks for visiting her site! If you would like to email her, I am sure she wouldn’t mind!  redstreake@mac.com.)