Meet Jennifer Guajardo | Professional Wildlife Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Guajardo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued a creative career as a wildlife artist because I truly care about the environment and want to use my talents to show others why it is important to preserve Mother Nature. In my role as an art teacher, I have seen firsthand how art can inspire and engage young minds, and I am now excited to take that same spirit of creativity and innovation and apply it to my work as a wildlife artist. Through my art, I hope to not only capture the beauty and diversity of the natural world, but also to raise awareness about the urgent need to preserve and protect it. I believe that art has the power to communicate complex messages and emotions in a way that words cannot, and I want to use that power to make a positive impact on the world around us. I am excited to now focus my energy on creating art that raises awareness and encourages others to join me in preserving our planet for future generations.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a wildlife artist, my art is centered around capturing the beauty of the natural world through my pieces. I use traditional art mediums, such as watercolors, acrylics, and charcoal, as well as digital 3D pen techniques to create lifelike representations of wildlife and their habitats. What sets me apart from others is my use of color, detail, texture, and abstraction to create pieces that are not only beautiful but also convey a message of environmentalism and conservation.

I am most proud of my ability to use my art to inspire people to become more conscious of the environment and wildlife. It is exciting to see my art being used by environmental organizations and animal rights groups to help raise awareness of the importance of preserving our planet’s ecosystems. The fact that my art is helping to contribute to a positive change in the world is something that gives me great joy and fulfillment.

Getting to where I am today professionally was not an easy journey. I started out as an art teacher, which was a rewarding but demanding profession. However, I always knew that I wanted to dedicate my life to art, so I took steps to pursue my passion full-time. One of the biggest challenges I faced was the transition from being a full-time teacher to a full-time artist. It was difficult to let go of a steady income, the comfort of a stable job, and the smiles on my art student’s faces, but my passion for art and my desire to make a difference kept me motivated.

Along the way, I learned many valuable lessons that have helped me grow as an artist and as a person. One of the most important lessons I learned was the value of focus, gratitude, and awareness of the opportunities around you. Another important lesson was the need to constantly innovate and push myself to create more impactful and meaningful art.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that I am an artist who is passionate about creating art that makes a positive impact on the world. My art is not just about creating beautiful pieces, but also about promoting awareness and action toward protecting our planet’s wildlife and ecosystems. I want people to feel inspired and empowered to make a difference and to know that through small actions, we can make a big change.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting the Houston area, I would show them the best time ever by taking them on a tour of some of the most fun, interesting, and exciting places. Here’s what our itinerary would look like:

Day 1: We would start our trip by visiting the Houston Museum of Natural Science, which is one of my favorite places in the city. We could explore the Cockrell Butterfly Center, the dinosaur exhibit, the planetarium, and other fascinating exhibits.

Day 2: We would take a trip to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, which has an impressive collection of artwork from around the world. Afterward, we would have lunch at an excellent vegan restaurant like Pat Greer’s Kitchen.

Day 3: We would visit Buffalo Bayou Park, which offers beautiful views of the city skyline and has excellent walking and biking trails. We could also have a picnic at the park and enjoy some of the delicious vegan food from True Food Kitchen.

Day 4: We would take a trip with our cameras to the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, which has beautiful walking trails and is home to many native plants, animals, butterflies, and other insects.

Day 5: We could take a day trip to Galveston Island, which is about an hour’s drive from Houston. We could enjoy the beautiful beaches, and visit the Moody Gardens.

Day 6: We could visit the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, which has an impressive collection of contemporary art and craft pieces. Afterward, we could have dinner at a vegan-friendly restaurant like Green Seed Vegan.

Day 7: On our last day, we could visit the Menil Collection, which has an impressive collection of artwork from around the world. And then walk over to the Rothko Chapel, to take in the breathtaking atmosphere or sit and meditate. Afterward, we could have brunch at a vegan-friendly restaurant like Flower Child.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my husband, mother, and children who have been my biggest supporters throughout my journey as an art teacher and now as a wildlife artist. Their unwavering love, encouragement, and belief in my abilities have been instrumental in helping me achieve my dreams. I am also grateful for the support of my fellow artists and colleagues, who have inspired and challenged me to push the boundaries of my own creativity. In particular, I would like to thank the various wildlife conservation organizations that work tirelessly to protect our planet’s precious ecosystems and the incredible creatures that call them home. It is their dedication and commitment to the environment that motivates me to use my art as a tool for raising awareness and inspiring positive change. I am also grateful for the natural world itself, which is a constant source of inspiration and wonder, and a reminder of why it is so important to preserve and protect it for generations to come.

Website: https://www.jenniferguajardoart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferguajardoart

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferguajardoart

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferguajardoart

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jennifer-guajardo-art-cypress

Other: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jenniferguajardoart/make-100-hand-painted-bumblebees https://jenniferguajardoartprints.com/arthropod-collection https://jenniferguajardoartprints.com/coloringbook https://jenniferguajardoartprints.com/beauty-in-the-world