Trusting the Process as an Artist Featuring Jenn Veal | The Open Palette Podcast | Episode 2

In Episode 2 of the Open Palette Podcast, Brian Camacho sits down with muralist and fine artist Jenn Veal to break down the truth behind building a life through art. From her roots in Jacksonville to painting large scale murals across Florida, Jenn shares the reality of evolving as an artist in today’s world.

This conversation dives deep into the transition from studio work to public art, the power of community and cultural connection, and the challenges every artist faces from rejection and uncertainty to chasing opportunities and staying consistent.

Jenn opens up about finding her identity through her work, reconnecting with her heritage, and learning to trust the process even when things do not feel clear.

This is not just about art. It is about discipline, mindset, and staying true to your vision when the path is not guaranteed.

If you are creating, building, or chasing purpose, this one is for you.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:03

Life is the canvas we paint. Yeah. Opening the dialogue, removing the barriers and restraint. Uh-huh. It's the open palette, insight, access, and the human story mode. The palette is open. Open now.

SPEAKER_03 0:21

Welcome to the open palette podcast where art, culture, and community come together. I'm your host, Brian Camacho, and I'm excited to be here today with fine artists, muralists, Duval County Zone, Jenville. Jen, how are we feeling?

SPEAKER_01 0:33

Fabulous. Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 0:35

Thank you for joining us today. Let's get right into it. Talk to the people. Tell them a little bit about yourself and where you're from.

SPEAKER_01 0:41

Uh, I am from the 904, uh, born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Um, been a working artist for 20 plus years and uh kind of diving into the public art scene um maybe within the last goodness, five, five, six years, and it's treated me well. A lot of love and respect all around.

SPEAKER_03 1:04

Oh, that's great to hear. That's great to hear for sure. And uh, with regards to the beginning stages within your career, let's let's highlight that. Uh, where do you where do you get your inspiration from?

SPEAKER_01 1:13

You know, as creators, and from when you are a kid, it's just uh something that you have to express, this energy that you have to get out. And I just think there's ideas out there and you're just trying to catch them. You know, they're um conscious, they're live, alive, and uh just waiting for a collaborator. So it's it's putting giving myself a voice and also to be able to connect with others. That's great, that's great, for sure.

SPEAKER_03 1:45

Oh, for sure. And um, with the style that you've owned and have built throughout these years, uh, which I'm a very big fan of, and we were able to uh see come to life in the last project that you and I actually collaborated on. Big shouts to Osceola Arts and the Artists Now Murals program for that programming that we were able to play put together over at the transition house in the city of Kasimi. Yes, that was an amazing project working with you there, and um definitely was uh an eye-opener for everybody who was stopping by, being able to see the piece that that you brought to life there. I would like to speak to the creation of that piece as well as uh the transition from as a fine artist from being a fine artist to a muralist and how how that plays.

SPEAKER_01 2:29

For myself, I I just feel like the talent is there, just comes naturally for me. Uh so it's just learning a new medium, you know, watching and uh taking it all in, watching my friends, having their support. And I just picked up a can, it's just started playing around and figuring it out, and uh made a really nice transition, I think. Um 2020 is when I when I picked up the can when the world kind of stopped and I had time to really dive in and give it my all. But you know, I'm I'm hoping to in some of my series that I have in mind to incorporate more roller and brush.

SPEAKER_03 3:10

Interesting. That's nice.

SPEAKER_01 3:12

I I kind of lean towards realism, um, but I'm I'm thinking about making a little more loose, nice, more expressive or in impressionistic in that way too.

SPEAKER_03 3:23

That's great. With regards to the concept that you facilitated for us for the Art is Now Murals program, can you speak to the messaging within this artwork that you put up?

SPEAKER_01 3:32

Yeah. Um first and foremost for the community here, um, a large Latina community, which was uh wonderful to see and be a part of, and something that I'm kind of diving into myself as being someone who is adopted and both parents now gone. I'm kind of diving into those roots, still kind of recalling them and taking them along with me on the journey, but um kind of learning about that side, the Caribbean and Puerto Rican side of my family. And that was a way to connect here in Kissimmee too, which meant a lot to me.

SPEAKER_03 4:12

Oh, that's great to see that you're able to connect that and have that message portrayed through your artwork. Uh, definitely make it a point to go check that piece of work out that you have in the city of Kissimmee. Uh, I would have like to speak a little bit more to that. Um, how how are you able to be a living artist through these transitions and be able to expand as a living artist through these transitions? I know it gets uh tough at times, as you as you and artists know, um, because we always have to be seeking these opportunities and chasing grants fundings and all these different opportunities that are available for us. But let's talk to that. Let's speak to the idea of what that balance looks like.

SPEAKER_01 4:50

Man, we do it because of Osceola Arts.

SPEAKER_03 4:56

That project for sure.

SPEAKER_01 4:57

Oh goodness, you know, and just uh that kind of support, you know. I you know, we went to went to the painting classes, but we didn't get the business classes. At least I did it 20 plus years ago. So it uh especially with um our resources now, um, you know, social media, everything. There, it's at our fingertips and it's a tool uh to really get out there, whether it is grants, open calls, it's a big part of the process, networking, you know, making new friends and uh just being there for each other and supporting each other because it's hard. It's hard. It's not for the weak.

SPEAKER_03 5:34

Oh, not at all. Not at all.

SPEAKER_01 5:36

Failure is gonna for sure.

SPEAKER_03 5:39

I speak to that uh a lot with with artists and letting them know that um as a living artist, you have to accept being told that you were not accepted for this project, or maybe we'll get back to you for the next project, as they like to roll it off the sun to make it as easy as possible to let the artist down. But essentially, um, you just have to keep shooting your shot. Uh, that concept that you created may have not worked for this project, but it doesn't mean it doesn't align for the next project that is available for you. So definitely keep taking every chance that you can.

SPEAKER_01 6:09

Just keep keep creating. Yeah, that's for sure. Keep it moving forward, and something's gonna it's gonna click for sure. Yeah, and and first and foremost, I have to just remind myself for you, you know, do it, do it. You know, I I feel like I've been creating and working, and it and it's mostly commission or events, and I absolutely love and adore that, but it it's it's like remembering to play, remember to where did this all start from? Take that time to um be your authentic self and people can really connect with that.

SPEAKER_03 6:44

So I agree with that balance for sure, for sure. And um, what is some advice that you would give to an artist that may find themselves in a in a space where they have a writer's block or creative, a creative block? What is something that you'd like to do as a creative artist to be able to get yourself out of that space and and get back, you know, in the flow of things?

SPEAKER_01 7:04

Solitude. My little little cave, little hideaway. Yeah, I have to have a lot of quiet, a lot of uh peace, not a lot of noise, you know, just to let I just have to sit in it, you know, let it um to just find that flow and to catch those ideas, you know. I think that's um and but some people they do. They they work better with uh working in a uh creative, like collaborative space. Correct. And I do like I I do enjoy projects like that, but when I'm really digging deep for even say a series or I I just find that I have to have that to get there mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, I have to have it all zoned into one to really hit the nail on the head.

SPEAKER_03 7:55

That's great to hear. That's great to hear for sure. So that's just my process, but now that you've been able to balance both fine art and uh becoming a muralist and being able to take over that space as well. What are you more of a fan of? Are you more of a fan of working indoors in the studio by yourself or out in the open where people are able to come and enjoy and work alongside you or even just appreciate the work as it's uh being put together?

SPEAKER_01 8:21

Another good question. Um I haven't been in the studio for a while. And I think that's something I'm I still like to work large. I think that was an another reason why I leaned into that at the time too. And uh it's just of course it's a different vibe. You know, you reach more eyes, more um, more connection and and feeling in that way, uh, to where you know not everyone can get into a a museum or what have you. So I I have such a a respect for that. And on all scale or different styles like graffiti, it's I'm I'm just always fascinated and in awe of that culture too. Um, but I think in the next year or so I'm going to in at this point in time get back into the the studio and kind of get out of the elements for a minute too. It's it's it's laborers. For sure. No, they don't they don't understand how much part of it it is.

SPEAKER_03 9:23

I personally feel like it's like the major, like the main part of the process.

SPEAKER_01 9:27

Yeah, I still love it.

SPEAKER_03 9:28

Yeah, yeah. Sitting under that sun for hours on maybe an umbrella.

SPEAKER_01 9:34

Like being on a lift.

SPEAKER_03 9:35

What are what what do you do when you're in that space? I mean, I'm sure it can get frustrating. You're working on a wall, it's the beginning stages, this heat is beating on you, you're not seeing your vision come to light just yet. How how can that play on the mind? And what are the steps that you take to get yourself focused and continue working through to facilitate this project and you know get to the final stages?

SPEAKER_01 9:57

Uh take a walk and trust the process, which is easier said than done, especially if they're timelines or you know, all the other little details that go with it. But um knowing it's gonna look worse before it gets better. For me, I have to take things in in sections, uh, and I will stay in a place and I have to remind myself not to overwork it. Less is less can be very much more. Um and I sometimes I need to give my eyes a break for a day. You know, come in fresh.

SPEAKER_03 10:34

Some people can just hustle through it, but I like to at least are you an artist that can find peace uh at the finish line, or are you an artist that is just never satisfied at the end of the project?

SPEAKER_01 10:45

Sometimes I just have to tell myself to to uh call it.

SPEAKER_03 10:48

Yeah. That's why I ask, because I know artists that just fight with themselves to like get away from the wall or get away from the canvas, and they just never feel like it's done. They just want to keep adding and adding and adding. And and it's not taking anything away. It may be it may be enhancing at times, but sometimes it's just like you just stuck, you're like continuously at the same spot, doing the same line. I've seen it happen. But um, how do you feel about that?

SPEAKER_01 11:13

I think depending on the project delivery, uh what they need to. It's like maybe just stay within the frame of the project. Because I will just want to uh perfect it for more and more when it was already perfect the way it was.

SPEAKER_03 11:33

Nice. I told you. So yes, I still struggle. Yeah, I can see that. I can see that. Uh, with the work that you that you have been producing, I do see you've owned a specific style. Um if somebody had to ask you what does your style represent, can you speak to that?

SPEAKER_01 11:47

Oh man. So you feel like I have you can see you see, I can see your work in the street. For sure.

SPEAKER_03 11:52

I can see a specific style, I can see a specific uh the way you lay your work out. Yeah, your messaging through the through the work that you've been putting out for sure.

SPEAKER_01 12:00

Thank you. Yeah, then that that means I'm doing something right.

SPEAKER_03 12:03

No, for sure.

SPEAKER_01 12:04

I'm I building, I'm still in that building stage. Uh I guess it mostly has been for events where they need something very specific per se, but I'm still trying to stick within the feeling or my style to, but cohesiveness that's still something I'm working on.

SPEAKER_03 12:23

Nice, that's good.

SPEAKER_01 12:24

You know, for people just to see this, and that's what the series are gonna be about, too, to kind of pull it all together.

SPEAKER_03 12:30

That's good to hear. That's good to hear. No, for sure, for sure. I definitely am paying attention. That is a part of my job to do so.

SPEAKER_01 12:36

I love portraits. I love um yeah, I've I love tributes, I love being able to tell um people's stories beyond my own. Um, and just to have like to get these emotions or get I feel for so long I wanted my pieces to have flow or movement, and um I always try to find that. That's good. Be able to wait to um present that in my work.

SPEAKER_03 13:05

And it's definitely showing for sure. So keep it up. Doing a great job with that. I have a question um seguing into what you were just speaking about with the festival scene. I know that's definitely a very popular space. I'm sure it's fun being able to paint alongside uh all these dancing folks while live performances are going on. Uh let's talk about that. How is how is that experience uh putting that time and that energy into some into a space like that with the understanding that this piece is not gonna last after the end of these three days here?

SPEAKER_01 13:33

Oh goodness.

SPEAKER_03 13:36

You didn't think I was going there with that, but that's the reality.

SPEAKER_01 13:38

You just have to uh I think that's with walls too. You just have to be able to wipe your hands clean, you know. Anything can get tagged or, you know, uh get your picture, get in, get out, kind of thing. But um the one the one that really stands out to me that I love is uh any of the festivals at um Swanee Music Park.

SPEAKER_02 14:03

All right.

SPEAKER_01 14:03

And um man, I we have I go back to see my friends every year that and we paint together. It's one of my uh favorite times of the year, but we have just a couple days to it's in the production. We paint beforehand, nice and then uh knock it out, and then it's so cool, cool to see people come and interact interact with it. Yeah, and I want to jump on more of those just because it's it's like when are we working? Like we were talking that the other day, it's like yeah, I gotta go get some paint. I think I'm all right. We get to all we get to go paint. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 14:37

That's the goal. That's always the goal, right? Is to to find a space where your most happy is no matter what. It is not considered work when you can wake up every day and do what you love. Uh sometimes it is easier said than done, but it is not far-fetched. You can definitely position yourself and uh set your life up in a way that you need for it to be, to be able to, whether it be a living artist, you know, a designer, you know, and anything within those spaces that's gonna allow you to live, eat, and be happy.

SPEAKER_01 15:10

It has always been my dream, and I've always been told how you gonna how are you gonna eat, how are you gonna make a living that way, right? And it is uh it's uh it can be done.

SPEAKER_03 15:23

It is possible. We're living testaments to that.

SPEAKER_01 15:26

For sure. I just seeing my friends just you know, all in it. I was like, I can do that. It's just believing in yourself.

SPEAKER_03 15:34

That's right. That's for sure. For sure. You know, you definitely gotta um have a solid team, you definitely gotta have a solid support system and a solid network. That's the key to it all. You know, your network is your net worth. That is a cliche slogan that you may hear everywhere, but that is the truth. Um, not everything is something that you have to pay for. There's favors that you can ask for, and and and people that are willing to be able to assist you without even having to ask for a favor, as long as you're building a great rapport, you know, have respectful business. It's it's it's it's possible. So definitely take the steps to make it happen.

SPEAKER_01 16:13

I I think as well, something that I've I've come to learn is like you can uh venture out out of your city, you know. I I love Jacksonville and I love giving back there, but I'm like, okay, maybe I can try here, maybe I can go there, yeah, you know, and just get you know, international one day.

SPEAKER_03 16:34

You know, just and what what what are the things that you're doing to set yourself up in that manner? Let's speak to that because you know every project is different, every city has a different expectation, especially if they have a rich culture there. What are you as an artist doing to be able to align yourself with these projects?

SPEAKER_01 16:51

Building the portfolio that I envision that's going to lead me in that direction, too, I suppose. Um getting into those cities, observing, spending time there. I w I definitely want to travel. Uh just setting these little mile markers up. Right. You know, there's still a lot of checklists that I need to do in between that. But um just streamlining it.

SPEAKER_03 17:19

What are some of the cities that you have already checked off the list that you've worked in? I know you got you got Kissimmee for sure. You got Jacksonville.

SPEAKER_01 17:29

A lot in Miami. I got a lot of projects in Miami. They they uh they love me there.

SPEAKER_03 17:35

That's great.

SPEAKER_01 17:36

Um, and then yeah, and in Live Oak for the festival. Um, yeah, mostly um all Florida gigs, but I want to go other places.

SPEAKER_03 17:45

So those that are tuned in, Jenville, Jacksonville zone is a great artist. I give the recommendation, my word is gold here. Yeah, she's the one definitely making it. We're here. Yeah, keep keep keep letting the resume go. Let them know what's up. This is what we're here for, right? Shoot your shot, don't miss the shot. And if you do, just learn. This is what we're here for, y'all. That's what's up, though, man. Now that's seriously, I I I appreciate that you're taking those taking those chances. You're not being afraid to speak up and and making it happen for sure.

SPEAKER_01 18:24

Switch up the mic. Why why do you do it?

SPEAKER_03 18:27

Why do I do it? Why do I do it? Is it specifically for that reason as well? Is why I love what I do is because I'm able to see this idea from you know from an idea to completion, and being able to be there to assist is very helpful and fruitful to me. I have fun doing this. This is this is what I live for. You know, I I I've been a painter and in my younger years, and I don't have the skill set that the artists and the front, you know, friends that I have around me. Um, so I learned my position, you know, play your position at the end of the day, find what's right for you. I know that I can conduct you know programming and facilitate programs that are gonna bring people together and build ecosystems here within in any place that I'm at, specifically here in Kissimmee. And and I'm honored to be able to do so and being accepted by Alceola Arts in the city of Kissimmee to bring artists like yourself and and those around that we've been working with. So yeah, it's it's it's fun. It's fun.

SPEAKER_01 19:28

Yeah, uh driving in, I haven't been through downtown Kissimmee yet, but I'm excited. I started to see little hints of color on the outskirts, so I'm excited to go check it out.

SPEAKER_03 19:38

Yeah, definitely check it out. All of our walls have a plaque on them with a QR code where you can scan, and uh it'll take you to our main website. And on that site, there's a map where you can just do a self-guided tour, there's audio, um, read and information that you can read based on the artists, the concept of the mural, and the mission behind the programming. So, yeah, check it out. Those that are tuned in, it's great. You'll get to see Jen's work there as well. It's fun, man, for sure. Definitely appreciate your time and coming uh sit down with us here on the open palette before we go. Let the people know where they can find you and how they can get in contact with you.

SPEAKER_01 20:16

Man, uh it's Jen Veal Arts on pretty much everything. Uh J E N N V E A L A R T. Uh Gmail.com, Facebook, Instagram.

SPEAKER_03 20:31

That's right.

SPEAKER_01 20:32

What else should I be on?

SPEAKER_03 20:33

LinkedIn. What else we got? LinkedIn, yeah. That's where they're at, I heard. That's where the money's at.

SPEAKER_02 20:40

That's first tip.

SPEAKER_03 20:43

That's a fact. But yeah, it's been a pleasure having you here today. Thank you for joining us, and thank you for tuning in. Make sure to like, comment, share, and subscribe. We out. Duo. That's what's up. Let's go.