About Page

Artist Statement

"I'm influenced by my surroundings." says the energetic artist. "San Diego has an abundant variety of plants & flowers, so I'm never without something to inspire me."

With a love of gardening, Jennifer brings her garden indoors to her studio. Each fresh and vibrant flower "portrait" is a study in color and shape. Her realistic watercolors capture the character of each petal, leaf, and hue.

Jennifer is a self-developed watercolorist, specializing in vibrant flower portraits depicting nature's truth. Her meticulous attention to detail is evident and gained through her use of color to create depth. Flowers bring enjoyment to the senses, visually and emotionally. She hopes that her paintings instill the viewer with the same delight. "Someone once said to me about my floral paintings, "It's as if you could reach out and touch it." Her paintings not only capture the beauty of the subject but it's soul and essence.

Jennifer Meeder was born in Davenport, Iowa. Her family relocated to San Diego, California in 1974. As a child, Jennifer discovered a love for art. Elementary school exposed her to a diverse use of mediums where her first "master pieces" were done with tempra paints. She was attracted to watercolor while an art student at Patrick Henry High School, taught by Wendell Montague, and has never strayed since. She loves the simplicity, freshness and brilliance watercolors can produce.

A wife, mother, and self-employed, Jennifer found it difficult to find the quiet time to be "the artist." Only since 1997 has Jennifer been able to devote more time to her love of watercolor painting. She has studied under the direction of Brian Donn through adult education courses. It was with Brian that she perfected her application techniques.

Feeling a new inspiration and motivation, Jennifer entered her first competition at the 1997 Del Mar Fair and took home "Best of Show" in the student division, and in 1998 she placed 2nd and sold one. In 1999 Jennifer had the courage to enter the Del Mar Fair's Fine Art Exhibition receiving an Honorable Mention and the other one selling. This experience filled her with a new self-confidence as an artist.

Since then Jennifer has received numerous awards:

2009: 3rd Place - Foothills Art Association Miniature Membership Show, October

2008: 1st Place - Foothills Art Association 24th Annual Juried Membership Show, June

2008: 2nd Place - San Diego Watercolor Society's Membership Show, May

2007: 3rd Place - Southwestern's Juried Art Show "Top 100", March (juror Joe Garcia, 300 entries)

2006: 3rd Place - Foothills Art Association's Annual Juried Membership Show, April

2006: 1st Place Popular Vote - Foothills Art Association's monthly show, February & June

2005: People's Choice award at Southwestern Artists' Association Annual Juried Show, April

2003: 1st & 3rd Place Popular Vote - Foothills Art Association

2003: 2nd Place (water media) - Olde Ramona Hotel Gallery's Fall Show

In the past Jennifer was invited to be a part of Grossmont - Mt. Helix Improvement Association's Art & Garden Tour and she participated in The Spring Garden Festival at the Water Conservation Gardens near Cuyamaca College. She has also participated in San Diego's ArtWalk, Coronado's Art Walk, University Heights Open Studio Tour, Del Mar's Taste & Art Stroll, La Mesa Historical Home Tour & Art Stroll and Chula Vista's Taste of the Arts.

Jennifer is an active member of Foothills Art Association of La Mesa, CA which has enabled her to learn "the ropes" of the art community. It is here that Jennifer has gained popularity with her colorful florals. For five years she was the publication editor of the Association's newsletter, Footnotes, which she took great pride in. She created and coordinated Foothills Art Association's Junior Art Program, which ran from 2004-2008. Jennifer is a juried member of Southwestern Artists' Association, Gallery 23 in Spanish Village Art Center at Balboa Park, San Diego, CA were she is their publicity chair, juried art show co-chair, website webmaster and designer/editor of their fund-raiser dessert cookbook. She is also a member of the San Diego Watercolor Society.

Jennifer currently teaches watercolor classes. (On-going class listed below.)

"Watercolor Wednesdays"

with local artist Jennifer Meeder

$20 per class 10am-12noon

Discover a love for watercolor in a fun and relaxing atmosphere. Just say "no" to puddles by learning how much water to use resulting in better control & brighter colors. Basic watercolor painting techniques are taught with each subject tackled.

Classes are on-going from beginning to intermediate. Class fee does not include supplies.

Classes are held at Foothills Fine Art Gallery in La Mesa, CA. To sign up contact Jennifer.

"Do you or someone you know have a favorite flower? I also paint commissions - makes an unforgettable gift."

Exhibitions

11/06/2009
Clairemont Recreational Center Clairemont Community Park 3605 Clairemont Drive, San Diego, CA 9am-4pm
Enamel Guild West: Workshop with Jennifer Meeder - WATERCOLOR WASH TECHNIQUES for ENAMELISTS

10/7-11/13
Bonita Museum & Cultural Center, 4355 Bointa Rd., Bonita, CA
Chula Vista Art Guild's 9th Annual Community Art Show 2009, Oct. 7th - Nov. 13th. I have two paintings juried in. Art reception: Sat., Oct. 24th, 5:30pm

9/1-9/30
11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, CA 92019
Rancho San Diego Library Featured Artists September 2009

05/01/2009
Painting selected "Aeonium Kiwi". San Diego Watercolor Society, 2825 Dewey Road, #105, San Diego, CA 92106. Art reception May 1, 5-8pm. Exhibit May 1-31, 2009. Open daily 11am-5pm, 619-876-4550
34th Annual Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Exhibition

5/16-5/17
San Carlos Library, 7265 Jackson Drive, San Diego, CA 92115. For more information call 619-449-3230
"A Show in Living Color"... a creative pairing of paintings & floral arrangements.

12/7-2/6
Coffee house at 3343 Adams Ave., San Diego, under the Normal Heights sign, open 24 hrs, entertainment nightly, 619-204-2083
Lestat's (up for 2 months)

10/06/07
Camino Del Mar & 15th Street, Del Mar, CA
Taste & Art Stroll in Del Mar

8/22-8/23
San Diego Convention Center, 111 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego, Event is by invitation only to the trade, 10am-5pm
Interior Expo West Coast 2007

2/23-3/21
Art reception Saturday, March 1st. One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119, 619-668-3280.
Mission Trails Regional Park, Foothills Art Association Group Show 2008

09/30/2007
11am-5pm , Orange Ave. down Park Place and around beautiful Star Park in Coronado, CA
Coronado Art Walk 2007

9/15-9/16
4576 Maryland St, San Diego, CA 92116, both days: noon-6pm
University Heights Arts Open 2007

5/19/07
Heritage of the Americas Museum Patio, 12110 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon, CA 92019
Spring Garden Festival, 9am-3pm

11-7-09
Palm and Lemon Ave., La Mesa, CA 91941, 10am-3pm
La Mesa Historical Homes Tour 2009, 10am-3pm

10/13 & 14
1770 Village Pl, Gallery 23, Spanish Village Art Center, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
Southwestern Artists' Association Art Festival 2007, 10am-5pm

12/01/2008
Southwestern Artists' Association, Gallery 23, 1770 Village Pl, Gallery 23, Spanish Village Art Center, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
"A Colorful Potpourri", 2-Artists Show 2008 -Jennifer Meeder & Maic