Meet Jennifer Barrett | Metal Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Barrett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
The poem Today by Beah Richards. It is a reminder of hope and to be present in today and the task at hand. I have it taped up in my workspace so that I can always see it. Especially when I need a reminder to focus on what I can do today. Today by Beah Richards Today is ours Let’s live it Love is strong Let’s give it A song can help Let’s sing it Peace is dear Let’s bring it The past is gone Don’t rue it Our work is here Lets do it Our world is wrong Let’s right it The battle hard Let’s fight it The road is rough Let’s clear it The future vast Don’t fear it Is faith asleep? Let’s wake it Today is ours Let’s take it!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Right now I am most excited about finding a way to bring more creativity to functional pieces. I have been doing wall art and sculptures as well but I was feeling a bit stuck on functional pieces I was asked to build. I was starting to feel less like an artist and more like a machine. That changed when I discovered alcohol inks. I had not really seen them used on metal much so there was a bit of a learning curve. The thing I love about alcohol ink is that it can have a mind of it’s own. You think you are going to take it in one direction but it pushes you into another. Then you are forced to think about your project differently. Oh and I get to set it on fire. So there’s that. Now I am building and painting steel wall art and sculptures as well as planters for succulent walls, wine holders and coasters. I am really looking forward to see what I can come up with next.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Even during non-COVID times we spend a lot of time entertaining friends at our house. My husband Nathan is an excellent cook. He loves to make things for a crowd in his wood burning forno oven that he built with his buds. Our favorite bar is the King’s X. It’s a little dive by our house where everyone knows your name and are always ready for a good time. We also love to go to Lee Harvey’s. It’s a great spot day or night. They have the best burgers and onion rings. We often go there to hear live music at night. My daughter, Frankie, is 8. She takes guitar lessons from Zounds Sounds and they have shows at Lee Harvey’s throughout the year. Those are some of my favorite days. Another spot we love is Cock N’ Bull. It’s a great bar with an awesome menu. If we wanted to hit up a spot for a nice dinner, my husband’s favorite is Neighborhood Services. My requirement is just a spot that serves bourbon…but Nathan is a sucker for their voodoo sauce. However just about everything on their menu is delicious. We also love Deep Ellum. It is always fun at night but we like to cruise around there during the day as well. We have taken Frankie down there many times. There are tons of great shops to check out and places to eat. We would most likely end the week at home with Nathan serving homemade pizza he cooked in the forno poolside.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband Nathan for his constant support and for always encouraging me to strive to be the best version of myself.

Website: www.ruthysmetalworks.com
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