About the Artist - Jennifer Wiggs, WHS

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		Jennifer Wiggs has been a practicing artist for the past fifteen years. Born in Indiana, she studied painting at Indiana University and Washington University, St. Louis. In the studio, she freely abstracts the landscape and invents the animals which dominate the narratives. The watercolors are best described as modern primitive. In addition to studio work, she has taught extensively at colleges and Universities in mid-Missouri.
She has exhibited widely through the Midwest; highlights include the River Market Regional Show in Kansas City and Watercolor USA. Her work is included in the directory Living Artists, 14th edition, available at bookstores nationwide. She lives with her husband and children in Washington, Missouri. Last year her work was in the prestigious Missouri 50.
“Two other artists who are important to know to understand the language of Wiggs are Henri Rousseau and Paul Klee. Each of these men where initially criticized as being childish in their style but went on to help redefine and expand the language of art.” James Downey, Language of artists speaks to emotions, Columbia Tribune Sep.2006
A Dedication to Larry A. Wiggs 1937-1997
Inside my paint box is a small laminated note from my father. He wrote it in 1980, when I was a junior in high school. It says, ”Jennifer! Paint every day! Dad……. throw nothing away.” I treasure this small connection to a great man. He often spoke in rhyme. This note went with me to college, to New York, to get my master’s degree, went in my wallet as I traveled. His directive was that by painting every day many lessons would be learned, discoveries made. It speaks of his work ethic, which was so strong and lead by a spirit of discovery and creativity. It reminds me not to discard anything-he instinctively knew that threads of artistic directions would be present, and could be lost, if one did not look closely enough. A lot of time has passed and I now know what to throw and what to keep. Many aspects of my Dad are with me daily, even my palette. I mix my paints on his old palette. I carefully kept the hardened paint colors in the order he left them. I added fresh paints to what was left and continued on. My Dad was beginning to learn to paint when he passed away at age 60. I still have his color wheel on my wall, complete with his neat, squarely printed detailed notes on each color. He probably would’ve become a great artist and put me to shame. This is how he mastered so many things, how he became a great engineer, cook, scientist, woodworker. He had a passion for learning. He was and is my greatest muse. Jennifer Wiggs 2006

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