Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodi McGregor Folston
Hi Jodi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I knew I wanted to be a visual artist since I was eight years old. I remember sketching friends’ portraits while in school, long before my senior year. I married right out of high school and had a couple of children before that marriage failed and I found myself struggling as a single parent to attend art classes at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. While there I had the opportunity to do a summer in the south of France studying French and Art History. I fell in love with France; it was there that my passion for art really took hold. Upon my return to the states I sold every belonging I had and moved over to France. It was a bittersweet time – I was juggling getting my kids over there when I could and struggling to get my career started. I had good luck over there and discovered that I had a knack for large-scale commissions, namely murals and trompe l’oeil. After several years thriving there I received the sobering news that my mother, back home in Utah, had breast cancer and the outlook seemed bleak. Thinking that her time was limited I made the difficult decision to move back home so I could spend time with her. Upon my return I was asked by another artist to work in Las Vegas doing murals in casinos and high-end homes. I was again very lucky to secure a lot of work. After eight years there I found myself missing the simple life of Utah and so I moved to St. George where I was once again surrounded by family. For the past 25 years I have immersed myself into the art scene of southern Utah, serving on the St. George Arts Commission as well as “Z-Arts”, the commission based out of Springdale, Utah. I still do major projects for the commercial and private sectors.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a tough journey, but so rewarding! I struggled as a single parent to make it as a professional artist. It has always been “feast or famine”, and I remember pawning my limited selection of jewelry one year to buy art supplies. There have been times when I only had one commission in a year’s time, such as right after 9/11 and during the recession of 2009. Luckily I had very supportive parents who would loan me money if needed!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am known for creating very large-scale paintings as well as fine art. I think I do pretty well at painting the human figure and portraits also. I paint fairly realistically and I love detail. My studies in art history have afforded me the training and knowledge of how the masters painted, such as glazing techniques, color palettes they used, and the methods they employed to go from a small-scale rendering to a large -scale painting.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My stubbornness. When I encounter a problem I find a way to solve it. I also have had to develop a pretty thick skin when I come across negativity from others. I find new ways to enjoy my craft and I use my art as therapy, not letting it become “just a job”. I can escape into my own world through my art, thereby using it as my coping mechanism to solve problems not only on the canvas but in everyday life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.b.mcgregor.folston/
- Facebook: www.facebook..com/JodiMcGregorFineArt
