Jennifer Rice Anderson, artist and designer for J. Anderson Design, has learned the art of creating beautiful things, both professionally and personally. Also an art teacher at Ascension Classical School, Anderson manages to balance her career and hobbies alongside her beloved life with her husband and three children.

What is your passion in life? Anderson: I can’t name just one passion in my life as there are so many aspects of life that I find exciting. I am passionate about God’s Word and the way it can change your life once you start learning the depth of the Bible and the depth of God’s love. I love my husband and my precious children, and I am so thankful to be able to see life again through the honest and imaginative eyes of children. I love the glory of nature and seeing God’s incredible imagination in His creation.

Q. What inspires you or motivates you daily? Anderson: All of the above aspects of my life inspire me daily. I also find inspiration from classical music and the works of great musicians. I’m often inspired by the sermons of Tim Keller and by others who are using or have used their lives to better our world. Of course, I am also inspired by the works from the great masters such as Sorolla, Velasquez, Vermeer, Monet, Manet, Pissarro, Inness, Rubens, Chase, Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo, just to honor a few.

Q. does faith play a part in your life or career? If so, how? Anderson: I don’t think you can separate your faith from your life or career. Everyone has faith in something, even if it doesn’t involve God. The way you live your life and the way you treat others and yourself are ultimately reflections of your faith. I was fortunate to attend Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York. The pastor, Tim Keller, is an amazing mind. He challenges people from all backgrounds with the depth of his knowledge. I still listen to his sermons on the Redeemer app, and they continue to shape my heart and mind.

Q. What first prompted you toward art? Anderson: I have always loved art. My mother and my grandmother, being talented artists themselves, both nurtured my innate love for it. My mother was instrumental in my pursuit of painting in New York.

Q. What is your favorite method of creating? Anderson: My favorite method of creating is oil painting. I love the richness of the paints and the infinite possibilities they allow. I also love charcoal drawings or portraits.

Q. What would you tell other women in the area about going for their dreams or about seeking out the desires of their heart? Anderson: I would encourage anyone to follow the desires of his/her heart. However, I would also encourage that person to pray for guidance in how those dreams might be fulfilled. I think it’s a good idea to be open to avenues that one might not have planned. I never dreamed of moving to New York City to study painting, but God led me there through a series of events and through people in my life. Prior to my move, I had a wonderful job in Dallas designing and illustrating at a creative design company. Although I appreciated my ‘real job,’ my passion at that time was painting, which I did every night for hours after I got home from working. Leaving the security of my job was not easy. When I finally made the leap and moved to Manhattan to study at The Art Students League, God opened doors for me that I could never have imagined possible. The first day I met my instructor, Frank Mason, and saw him painting, my small world was changed forever. After a few hours in his class, I knew that I would not be returning to Dallas anytime soon. I spent the next eight years fascinated with classical drawing and painting, and I was determined to learn the art. After eight years of immersing myself in portrait, figure and landscape studies, the only reason for leaving my life in New York was my husband. And my family is now my new passion.

Q. What does a “typical day in the life” look like for you? Anderson: I am dedicating most of my time to our three children while they are young. So, right now, I am transporting two children to and from schools and violin lessons, taking care of our 2-year-old at home and filling our afternoons with quality time together.

Q. What do you hope to accomplish with your art in the next five years? Anderson: I take things day by day. I paint as often as I can with the idea that I will be able to paint more often once all of my children are in school. At some point, I want to have another show once I am able to get a good body of work, but that will probably take at least a year or two.

Learn more about Jennifer Rice Anderson and her work at www.jriceanderson.com

Jennifer Rice Anderson