There is something rather nostalgic about a fallen leaf. The season over, it waits silently for its return to earth. But to this artist’s eye, it is a beautiful canvas waiting to be reborn. Gathering, drying and pressing them, Jennifer sees leaves as her most heartfelt form of artistic expression.

After graduating from Madonna University with a Bachelor’s degree, Jennifer began her career as a social worker. Eventually she opted to remain at home to raise her two daughters. During those incredibly busy years, attending to the myriad duties of parenthood, running a household, and being a “hockey mom” to both daughters, Jennifer’s creativity began to soar. She authored several Young Adult novels, sold pre-made scrapbooks, and discovered a knack for repurposing furniture. She then ventured into painting murals.

Using blank walls as her canvas, she painted stone, birch trees, and walls to look like pallet wood. A painting so real it required a touch to see if it were actual wood. Soon people began to commission her. She painted on wood, rocks, bottles, and even a snowboard. But it was her leaf paintings that most stunned and engaged the interest of an ever increasing audience. Taking art classes, she grew in her ability to create the details of these small canvases, capturing the glow of a winter moon, a purple haze of sky, the rhythm of a river, and the cathedral-like beauty of the forest. It wasn’t long before her leaves were chosen for the Detroit Artist’s Ball and other local arts and crafts shows.

So when autumn arrives, you just may see Jennifer out on her morning run, searching for that last perfect fallen leaf.

Jennifer has been a leaf artist for several years. Residing in Michigan provides her a variety of leaves to collect, press, preserve and paint, as well as four full seasons for her inspiration. Her leaves are exquisite small canvasses on which to portray the grandeur and beauty of the natural world around her.

I’m a proud member of Friends of the Rouge, a non profit organization that was founded in 1986 to raise
awareness about the need to clean up the Rouge River in southeast Michigan.

MISSION
To restore, protect, and enhance the Rouge River watershed through stewardship, education, and collaboration.
VISION
We envision a future where a clean and vibrant
Rouge River is the center of our community.
Individual and community actions protect and
improve the health of the Rouge River, assuring that its natural, economic, and recreational value enhances the quality of life in the Rouge River Ecosystem 
 
I have hiked weekly along the Rouge River, and it’s where I collect my fallen leaves in the fall.  I’ve painted many nature scenes from the surrounding area along the river, and some of my art has been donated, so that the proceeds go toward the river