Meet the Maker AP - Derwood Paint Co.

By Jenny Vickers

Welcome to Asbury Park Bazaar's Meet the Maker AP series where we highlight local artists and makers that are part of the Asbury Park Holiday Bazaars being held Saturdays & Sundays, Dec 3-Dec 18th, noon to 5 pm, in the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall in Asbury Park.

Today's #MeetTheMakerAP is Ocean, New Jersey-based artist Jenn Shauger of Derwood Paint Co. Jenn creates bold and original paintings on wood and ink drawings inspired by nature and wildlife. Jenn has been at the bazaar since our very beginning, so we feel honored she's continued to be a part of it. Her work is unique and absolutely stunning - she'll be at the holiday bazaar on December 3rd and 10th - so be sure to stop by and pick up a painting of your own!

1) Tell us how you got your start

Painting and creating art has always been my passion, I work as a full time graphic designer at M studio, right here in Asbury Park and paint anytime I can.

2) What motivates you as a painter?

I love to paint what inspires me, mostly nature inspired and wildlife paintings. My favorite subject to paint is birds of prey (vultures, eagles, hawks) I just really enjoy the process of creating a painting, I love to see the progress from start to finish, I also truly enjoy making something so unique that no one can get anywhere else. Where else can you find such a wide variety of vulture paintings? haha

3) Where did you grow up and where do you live and work now? What's your favorite part about living there?

I grew up in West Belmar, NJ, then moved to Ocean Township. I've been working in Asbury park for about 5 years now at M studio - the commute aint too bad :) I love the community here, everyone knows each other and supports each other, I like that.

4) Walk us through a day in the life of your work space.

I tend to be a night painter, and paint later in the day, so I usually put a good record on for inspiration, work on a rough sketch of what i am going to paint, pull out my reference images and organize myself and get to work ha, maybe sometimes with a brew, maybe with a coffee, depends on my mood. Usually I have a commission piece to work on, but when I am not working on them I work on my own subjects. So basically listening to loud music or to a sappy TV show while painting is the norm.

5) What kinds of products will you be offering at the holiday bazaar?

I will be selling a lot of smaller sized paintings on wood - both square and circle shapes and some larger paintings as well. There will be a lot of bold floral pieces as well as some wild bird paintings, I paint what I love and hope the customers at the bazaars enjoy the paintings as much as I enjoy creating them:)

Derwood Paint Co. conveys the beauties of flora and fauna both great and small and range from delicate ink drawings and watercolors on paper to striking 1 Shot enamel paintings on wood.

6) What are you most looking forward to at the bazaar?

I just love getting to show off my work, and seeing different people's reactions. It's interesting to see the paintings that people are attracted to, some might love a vulture painting I have, while some really love a simple floral painting.

7) Why should people support events like the Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar and shop local / shop small in general during the holiday season (and year round)?

There is just such a great variety of gifts and handmade goods at the Bazaars, things you can't find anywhere else. It feels like each vendor offers such a unique item, it's truly inspiring!

Be sure to stop by and say "hi" to Jenn and shop her goods at the Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar on December 3rd and 10th. To find out more about Derwood, visit www.derwoodpaintco.com