Meet Jodi Pena | Artist & Photographer

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

Hi Jodi, why did you pursue a creative career?
When I think back on the ‘why’ of my career, whether it was in the commercial field, in the fine arts sector, or within the educational field, all I can think about is that there was never really any other option. I always had a natural affinity for creativity and my parents encouraged these artistic endeavors with lessons, materials, and words of encouragement. My passion for creativity helped me explore myself and provided an outlet for self expression. Through continuous learning and various opportunities throughout my career, I discovered the joy of impacting others and helping my community. Now I create art, teach art, and support the arts in the community.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
A long-standing theme in my work has been the exploration of change and decay over time. I have been observing found still life vignettes as dilapidated and sad epitaphs of the past for decades. These works are of relics ravaged by time, reclaimed by nature, and forgotten by all that once cherished them.

Many years ago I stepped back from making art. Unknown to me at the time, something was going on internally that was preventing my interest in a lot o things, including art. Two years ago I was diagnosed with Meningoencephalocele, a condition where the brain tissue and cerebral spinal fluid is not completely contained within the skull due to a hole or break. This is a condition that normally happens in infants and is usually noticed physically. My diagnosis was a surprise as I was 39 and it was internal! With the help of my surgery team, I was diagnosed and treated with care.

Something delightful happened after my surgery. I started to notice and appreciate the delicate beauty of permanence in life. Fleeting moments are just as (if not more) worthy of our appreciation and wonder-gaze than rumination of the past. These moments, rain dappled fabric in the wind or sun-streaked reflections, are inherently beautiful yet subtle. They are temporary but magical. Even though brief, these moments are meant to be noticed and appreciated for what they are.

My current approach and in-progress body of work is an on-going exploration of the micro-moments and incredible things that are noticed throughout each day. I still hold true to my lifelong theme of change and transformation through the exploration of the now. However, “the now” is the little secret moments I encounter. “The now” is the beauty I see and the moment I now share with you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As an art lover, I would love to take friends to an experience based on art. I believe that a fun experience is essential to falling in love with art so I would head out to a place that would make an impression. While the museums are wonderful in DFW, I think I would take a visitor on an adventure to a workshop like one of the glassblowing studios where we could create a unique piece!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The people closest to me are my biggest supporters and they are the ones I will always shout out first. Early on in life, it was my parents. Now, it is my husband, Steve. All three of these people have encouraged me to pursue art and photography both as a career and as a creative outlet. My parents encouraged me through my formative years with materials and lessons while my husband encouraged me to start creating again after I recovered from a traumatic and unexpected surgery. His push was just what I needed and I was able to rediscover myself through my art.

Website: https://jodilpena.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodi.l.pena/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodilpena/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodilpena