MEET JENNY
Welcome to my heARTwork.
About Jenny Vyas
Jenny is a contemporary fine artist based out of Chicago. She is highly influenced by beauty in complex human emotions and the human condition, and attempts to reveal them through multiple nuances in expressions through her art. Her interest in human frailty shows in her paintings where she create semi-abstracts of human silhouettes and fluctuating forms in half-light; all drawn from reality, personal experiences, and memories. Since her art emerged from the darkest period in her life, she explores vulnerability to heal herself and hopefully heal others through her work. As a result, painting Phoenixes rising from ashes is a significant theme as part of her work. Jenny enjoys painting interactive murals where the viewers become a part of the artwork and the art is an extension of their stories. Some of her popular murals are the Wings in West Loop at Federales Chicago (painted in collaboration with Chicago artist, Caesar Perez) that have gone viral on Instagram with the hashtag #FederalesChi, her #BeTheBridge mural supporting the Black Lives Matter + her untitled mural at Westfield Old Orchard mall in Skokie (IL), #HowWillYouRISE mural at the Clifton Street Art Gallery on Broadway/Clifton in Uptown, Chicago, her Indian murals at ROOH Progressive Indian restaurant in Chicago + at ROOH in Columbus (Ohio), and at the Khiladi South Indian Gastro pub (now closed) in East Village, Manhattan in NY.
Best place to see her latest artwork and follow her journey is on her Instagram at @JennyVyas.
Jenny's artistic influences stream from music, poetry, books, artists like Shakespeare, Rothko, JR, Banksy, Alexa Meade, Andy Worhol, Jackson Pollock, Da Vinci, Salvador Dali, Georgia O'Keeffe, Gustav Klimt, and many more.
Prior to becoming an artist, Jenny has headed eCommerce for corporations and brands for 15+ years, including The Oprah Store at Harpo.
Photography by ArtistReplete.com
NOTE FROM JENNY
"It comes through you, but not from you. And though it is with you, it belongs not to you" ― Khalil Gibran
In 2013, I went through what turned out to be the most significant transition of my life. All I yearned for during that period of darkness in pain was to paint. Prior to this, I had painted only once in my life in an art class during college (where I studied Graphic Design). As terrified as I was to risk it all and explore this artist journey, I did it. I began painting. The key message moulded in one of of my favorite books, “The Alchemist” is when you want something, the universe conspires in helping you achieve it. What you seek is seeking you. In that moment, all I could think of was to paint. And I strictly focused on that with an audience of one: myself. I wanted to heal my wounds through my art. Once I surrendered to this intense pull from within, this fire in my belly urging me to paint— this gift took on a life of its own. What emerged felt surreal and explosive. I became a conduit for something larger than "me." What you see in my heARTwork these days is what emerged. I finally understood what poets talk about, what artists paint about, what dancers dance about, what Shakespeare wrote about. That cognitive ecstasy.
As an artist, I’m perpetually in that liminal space where I’m leaving behind everything that I have known about myself professionally and don't have a clear idea of where I’m heading as a creative. It is terrifying and unnerving. But, if there is one thing that I have learned about myself in these past few years, it is to stay in this uncomfortable space until the noise in my head quiets down and I find clarity as clear as day when I surface from the waves of fear, ambiguity and discomfort. Today, I understand that everything that has happened in my life has been preparing me for this moment: To become an artist.
Welcome to my heARTwork.
Namaste.
P.S. I occasionally write when inspired. You can read my philosophical musings on my Instagram posts.
THE WORLD WE WANT
Chicago Artist
PUBLIC ART PROJECT
THE WORLD WE WANT (CHICAGO)
Location: Pioneer Court from Oct. 31 - Nov. 19, 2014
"Art is not supposed to change the world, to change practical things, but to change perceptions.
Art can change the way we see the world. Art can create an analogy." — JR Artist
Setting up the wall at Pioneer Court!
My journey as a public artist started with an interactive installation called, "THE WORLD WE WANT” that I brought to life in Chicago alongside two local artists from October 31st through November 19, 2014 at Pioneer Court (401 N. Michigan Ave). Created by Amber Rae in New York, it is a global movement dedicated to bringing self-reflection and expression to the masses. Our wall in Chicago was the first extension of the NYC wall, and has now been created globally by makers who support Amber's vision & mission behind the project.
We're live! Date: October 31, 2016
Most of my life, I’ve heard myself say, “I want to make a difference in this world.” My definition of “how to make this happen” has altered countless times over the past few decades. Today, those words define the kind of difference that starts from my heart and touches others’. That connects me to my truth within. That makes each morning sweeter and each night worth dreaming about. The kind of difference that aligns heartbeats with footsteps. Three years ago, I quit my job to pursue my dreams and in the years since, I have embraced the artist patiently waiting within me. As I chose my “must” vs. my “should,” I began to recognize that I want to touch lives with my art. So I sent a love note to the universe to align me with a project that created an opening for this project and brought something to life that I truly believe focuses on shifting the paradigm in which isolation, conflict and humanity’s need “to be heard” are understood through an outlet for self-reflection, expression and connection.
MY INSPIRATION BEHIND THIS PROJECT:
The proliferation of technology and the use of social media have given us much more than we can hope for in communicating with the outside world, and yet a lot of us alienate ourselves from truly connecting with our inner self or people around us. Today, we communicate more through digital channels than face-to-face. I believe this is creating a world of solitude and loneliness, leaving a lot of people feeling disengaged. When we allow ourselves an outlet for self-expression and connection, it leads to feeling connected to not only ourselves, but also to the community we live in. This is why you feel great after a soul chat with your closest friend, a heartfelt session with a therapist, a deep conversation with your partner over a glass of wine. (Yes!)
People sharing their reflections!
Through self-reflection and a silent conversation, THE WORLD WE WANT WALL will create a connection in people with their truth within and a connection between strangers. Since there is still a sense of anonymity when sharing these reflections, this wall will be a portal of honesty. Love what you’re hearing? Read how we’re creating this below!
ABOUT THE WORLD WE WANT WALL:
This project is about ascribing meaning to your life, your community, and the world. Through an interactive chalkboard in a public space, the wall exists to inspire self-reflection and nourish our well-being by connecting us both inwardly to our best selves and outwardly to the community we live within. With two prompts, “I want to live in a world where” and “To create this world, I will,” anyone can come by and share their aspirations in public. The result is a cataloged conversation of our visions and our ownership in making those aspirations come to life. It serves as an honest reflection of the possibility and potential that exists within our community.
To learn more or get involved, follow the movement at: www.TheWorldWeWant.is, #TheWorldWeWant, @TheWorldWeWant.
SOME PHOTOS FROM THE WORLD WE WANT, CHICAGO
