Youthful Energy is Essence of Boaz’s Art
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Youthful Energy is Essence of Boaz’s Art

Jen Boaz shares her innermost feelings without words to mirror her emotions. Thus, her art incorporates intricate layers and textures.

After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.

Native Atlantan Jen Boaz’s art is replete with texture and pattern.
Native Atlantan Jen Boaz’s art is replete with texture and pattern.

Jen Boaz owned and designed her eponymous jewelry line for 18 years, until 2019 when she took the “palette plunge” and switched full-time to an art career.

Now labeled “contemporary, abstract, modern, bold, unique, and sophisticated,” Boaz identifies her media as “anything I can get my hands on, but primarily acrylic, textures, pastels, charcoals, paper and lots of mixing. Most of the time I just ‘go with it’ and see where the color scheme takes me.”

“Accentuate the Positive” is full of action and color.

Boaz’s categorizes her art as two versions of herself: “colorful bright happy Jen; and chill, relaxed, calming Jen: so, I’d say that’s where the hues come into play!”

Growing up in Atlanta and graduating from Dunwoody High School, art was always her favorite course. She was on the arts and crafts staff for several sessions at Camp Barney Medintz and currently teaches Sunday school art class at Temple Sinai. Her degree from the University of Alabama was in studio art. Now from her Kirkwood home studio, Boaz doesn’t scale out or preplan her drawings but nestles right into serendipity. She works on multiple pieces concurrently: and a large piece might take a month to finish. She explained, “I don’t let my work out into the world until I want to keep it for myself. So, that’s how long it takes. It’s interesting to me that people ask that question.”

This vertical gold and beige combo, entitled “Smooth,” sets a sophisticated tone.

A music lover, Boaz names her works after songs (“Layla,” “Blue Jean Baby,” “Easy Like Sunday Morning”) and listens to music in the work process. When asked from where she takes her inspiration, she related, “This is always a challenging question for me to answer. The honest answer is the fact that I’m an artist making something from nothing is inspirational in itself. I’m motivated to create. I don’t know what the reason is. I like the act of making something from a blank slate. I crave the outcome of finished product. I love when people find the one for their home and space. It’s like it was meant to be.”

Jen describes some of her favorite pieces as:
* “Don’t Blame Me” – This girl is alive! Full of texture, energy and movement. She is pure happiness!
* “Accentuate the Positive” – the color scheme is perfect in every way. I wish I could remember what I used. This one, I could stare at forever.
* “The News” – One of my favorite black-and-white pieces. It’s full of texture and pattern. It gives me a sense of calm, but it’s also extra interesting!

Summing up her artistic journey, she said, “Being an artist is taking the risk of what comes with the job and following through on all the levels to make it happen. Having no financial support, doing it all on my own, believing in myself and doing the work to make my passion my career.”

“Don’t Blame Me” – where cheer meets shape.

Her parents, Susan and Marvin, have always encouraged and supported her ambition to be an artist. “Through all the years and tears, they’ve been there and have never given up on me. They’re my No. 1 people! I couldn’t do it without them,” she said. Then there’s her “best dog ever,” Bowie.

Jen organizes unique art parties for bachelorettes, or birthdays for up to 18 people for $50 a person where she supplies all the equipment, canvases, paint, and drop clothes, and even cleans up after everyone leaves with a unique piece of art. Boaz’s work is currently on display at The Distillery of Modern Art, Robert Kent Galleries, and Purple House Gallery. Prices range from $150 to $5,000. Or shop online at www.jenboaz.com, and yes, she loves commissions.

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