Being huge photography geeks we are always checking out the photography section of the book stores. We love looking through the “eyes” of other creatives and sharing the vision they put forth. Coffee table books are often things that we buy with good intentions, but then end up just sitting there and looking pretty, hoping to intrigue some uncomfortable guest. If you are one of those that actually pick them up and flip through, sometimes you’ll be surprised, especially by the older ones because of the way they so elegantly share slices of a different time. The greatest inspiration for us is to get out the camera and take pictures. If we wait for the right time or an appropriate backdrop, the wait may never end. This week we came across and were intrigued by the street photography of Richard Renaldi and the boldness of his vision.

All the portraits below include total strangers who Renaldi approached on the street and asked to pose together, emphasizing that they both touch each other in some way. After the people became comfortable with each other, Renaldi let his camera do the talking. Really creative stuff.

Click here to see more…

Today we are going to do a little dissecting. Dissecting a brain. Who’s brain? Jen Renninger’s brain. Who is Jen Renninger? Well you are about to find out or at the very least learn a little bit more about what drives this exceptional artist and woman entrepreneur. It should be fairly painless and we promised her we’d be nice. :)

Here are a few pieces you can look over while we begin the procedure.

desktop or laptop?

Laptop.  Mobility is good for the soul.

we find that for particular types of work, different music/artists put us in the right creative and productive zone. what music/artists do the same for you?

This isn’t really music but it probably acts as my favorite source of daily inspiration:  NPR.  I listen to it daily and can’t tell you how often a story inspires an image I make.   As for music:  lately I’ve been listening to a ton of Avett Brothers.

two favorites and why: place to eat and movie to watch?

To Eat:  Home!  My husband is an amazing cook.  I can’t tell you how many times we’ve gone out and the food just doesn’t compare.  He cooks with LOVE and it shows.  Favorite movie to watch?  This is a tough one!  I love movies and have a ton of old standbys that I can always watch over and over again { The Shawshank Redemption,  The Royal Tenenbaums..}.  Last night we watched ‘The Station Agent’ which was absolutely amazing!  And whenever I need to feel inspired  I watch the video of the closing down of the Eames studio.  Just seeing the objects they surrounded themselves with in their studio is enough to reinvigorate to joy of making things!

for those not familiar with your work, what medium do you prefer to use and why?

I love collage and it’s the medium I’ve been working in for most of the past 12 years.  A few years ago I started painting with Gouache and found that I really love it as well.  While collage satisfies my inner need to collect and arrange things,  Gouache is soothing in a really wonderful way.  I feel most focussed when I’m painting.

dog or cat?

Both!  I have a 16 year old Jack Russell Terrier named Barley who is my daily partner in crime.  We also have 2 cats who are continuously entertaining.

what is one event in your life that pushed you to achieve your goals and ambitions?

In mid 2008 I started getting sick a lot.  In a relatively short time I went from a normal,  fully functioning person to someone who could barely walk.  I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis about 6 months later.  To continue to work through the pain was probably one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do.  While my condition is much better today I am always left with the sense that things can change at any moment.  I know, that sounds a little fatalistic,  but I like to think of the aches and pains that I feel as a reminder to pay attention to every moment and strive for the things I want to experience in life.  Live while you can.  And do it big!

you are an artist, but you are also a business owner. What do you find to be most challenging about being both?

Balance!  I think making art is inherently an obsessive sort of process.  You throw yourself into it.  It’s hard to pull back and take a look at the practical things that need to be done sometimes.  I actually schedule things in terms of complete days. Fridays are often devoted just to business.

with all of the ongoing buzz about new media, do you enjoy reading online publications for industry news and personal inspiration, over print magazines? is there a particular print or online magazine that you always look forward to reading?

I enjoy both equally to tell you the truth.  I love nothing more than a well designed magazine full of great content and amazing images.  But I love the immediacy of the web,  and the aesthetics can be amazing.

is there a color palette particularly inspiring to you right now or perhaps one you want nothing to do with?

I’ve always been drawn to aqua,  that bright summery color,  and I tend to use it a lot.  Jewel tones have been inspirational in general lately.

many of your pieces are mid-century design inspired…what initially drew you to design mid-century inspired work?

It’s an aesthetic that I love. The clean practicality of the lines.  It feels like home.

five years from now, do you see any significant change in your artistic process, whether more of this or less of that?

I would love to do some animation and have been toying with the idea of a quarterly publication. I’ll keep you posted on that!

if there was one message you could share with the world what would it be?

We are all connected.  I like to think that says it all : )

Where do you find Jen?

Website | Blog | Store

Thank you Jen, for letting us pick your brain and show a little more of the world you live in. You are a true gem!