Jen Wagner shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Jen, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’m doing a little of both. I’m interested in the already forged pathways, but can’t help being curious about areas unexplored.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jen Wagner of Jen Wagner Mosaics and I have been a full time artist for 22 years.. I am a fine artist and crafter who specializes in custom, installation and gallery work.
I like to say that I am a lover of creative projects; I’ve owned galleries, created pop up events, produced and worked on films, created community forums, and performance art.
I have a Montessori background and that philosophy is ingrained in my personal philosophy as well as my classes. I teach workshops for people of all ages, and finding and developing each individual’s process is at the core of my ethos.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I am always grateful for the community in my home town that raised me. I wasn’t an easy kid. I had a volatile, unpredictable and stressful home life, and I was smart and both blessed and cursed with a “don’t try me” attitude. .
The best thing that happened to me was that I got a job in a super busy, local restaurant and seafood market. I practically lived there, I worked as much as I could. My goal was to make money, but so much more took place. I connected with the other people that worked there, who would take the time to tell me their stories, give me books to read, and not get annoyed when I followed them around asking questions about life. Watching the owners spend time together while simultaneously running a multi tiered business laid the foundation for me to move my career forward and be with my family.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I always say that with a job like this, you have to choose it over and over again. The highs are amazing, and there’s no better rush (for me) then when I have multiple projects happening with things falling into place and fitting together perfectly like a pre determined puzzle.
But there are many days that are lean and uncertain. Bureaucracy, incompetence, and simple human error can create a tidal wave of sometimes crushing obstacles. I used to despair. I wouldn’t sleep and I would feel so overwhelmed that I would ask myself if it made sense to keep going. Experience has taught me to remain calm and maintain my focus and composure in those moments. And more often than not, endurance leads to great ideas, breaking down mental barriers and entering a new era.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Ralph Nader has always been one of my heroes. He is all of the things that each of us should strive to be: moral, intelligent, forward thinking, but most important authentic. He never used his power for exploitation, but to make the lives of other humans better.
I try to emulate him.I am passionate about giving a voice and strength to those who are compromised.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I am a firm believer in putting in the work for a superior result. We live in a time that has normalized the quick and easy shortcut, and that the only thing that matters is a perfect end result. What’s missing in that equation is the growth and understanding that comes with trial and error.
One of the biggest challenges for me when I’m teaching, is getting folks to the point where they are willing to trust their own ideas and just give it a try..I failed art twice in high school, and that surprises people, because the assumption is that you are born creative. Great artists know that the discipline is in the discipline.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jenwagnermosaics.com/
- Instagram: jwmosaics
- Facebook: Jen Wagner Mosaics
