South African Spirit Spills into Eclectic Painting

Jenny Salmenson Daniels started her artistic trajectory by painting intricate African designs on dried bamboo stalks as her introduction to art. She experimented with pouring, but found it “messy, wasteful, and unpredictable.” She then moved to canvas and discovered her true creative outlet.

She explained, “I now paint mostly with acrylics and mixed media, often incorporating spackle for texture and using recycled materials for added interest and depth. Almost nothing gets thrown away in our home — anything could become part of a future piece.”

Friends might say, “I had no idea you could paint,” and her response is always, “Neither did I.” She was 60 when she picked up a brush for the first time. “When others say they can’t paint, I tell them, ‘You’ll never know unless you try.’ I certainly didn’t.”

Initially, painting was something she did solely for herself with no aspiration beyond that. Then one evening over dinner, a good friend offered to be her manager. That moment sparked a new chapter, and together they began exhibiting her work at art festivals like the Cherry Blossom Festival, Dunwoody Art Festival, Chastain Art Festival, Inman Park Art Festival, and Piedmont Park Art Festival.

Daniels emigrated from South Africa to Atlanta in 1994. At the time, her daughters were 9 and 7, and life was focused entirely on settling in and helping to support the family. Pursuing an artistic interest wasn’t even on her radar.

She shared. “I had no idea what I was capable of — or if I was capable of anything creative at all. What I did have, however, was a persistent and powerful urge to paint. I think I was born with it. As a child, I couldn’t talk on the phone without grabbing a pen and doodling patterns while I chatted.”

In 2018, after retiring from a real “day job,” and finally having the time, she strolled into Binders Art Supplies to stock up on materials. She is especially drawn to vibrant, colorful abstract art often inspired and influenced by the distinct colors of Africa — “bright, uplifting hues that bring joy.” Lately, she’s been leaning toward cooler palettes: blues, greens, and grays.

One of her most unique and popular collections is the “Comic Series,” a detailed and bold body of work. These pieces are intricate and time-consuming, often taking weeks to complete. She works on two or three pieces simultaneously to allow for drying time and to give herself space to step away and return with rested eyes. Daniels labels her style “eclectic” since she doesn’t follow a single technique or style.

She explained, “In fact, people are often surprised that all my pieces come from the same artist. I enjoy the freedom of abstract art — it has no rules, no boundaries. My portfolio includes florals, silhouettes, skylines, oceans, and anything else that captures my imagination.”

One quote that resonates deeply with her is by famed artist Salvador Dalí: “The fact that I myself do not understand what my paintings mean while I am painting them does not imply that they are meaningless.”

Reading that brought her a sense of comfort. “I’m often asked what inspires me, but in truth, my process only begins once I put the brush to the canvas. I rarely start with a plan — I just keep going until something within me feels complete.”

She has explored more deliberate themes like her mini-series, “World on Fire,” a visual response to the devastation and destruction of the global conflicts happening around the world. Some of her most emotional pieces are silhouettes of parents, couples, or children holding hands and the communication of gentle touch. Often her abstracts start with stark black and then contrast pale aqua and peach with the tiniest of yellow flecks.

Contact and view Daniels’ art on Instagram: Jennyd_art. Her pieces range in size and price, with the larger 48” x 36” paintings priced between $750 to $950, and smaller- to medium-sized from $200 to $650.