About
Bio
Jen Otey
I am a neo-Appalachian artist, inspired by the culture and the natural environment of the Central Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia. The birds, bears, turtles, cottontails, deer, insects, and salamanders, as well as the multitude of mushrooms and wildflowers are what give this place, I call home, its own special kind of magic and influence my work the most. I grew up in a family focused on maintaining traditional mountain foodways. I have continued that focus in my own home through gardening, foraging, and the preservation of what we grow and wild harvest. Most of the work I produce has been inspired by my solo treks along the trails throughout the region where I live, during every season. What I see, feel, and experience during my interactions with native flora and fauna and in my garden is reflected in paint and clay. The work I produce is a way to share that experience with others, as they welcome the forest and the garden into their home. The paintings and drawings I am currently creating are illustrative pen and ink with watercolor. These pieces often tell a story about a day I experienced in the forest and fields around the region where I live.
