Jen Haefeli
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
InterArtist Jen Haefeli, Owner of Wild Root Creations (Photo by Master Photographer Marie Sales)
Message
InterArtist Jen Haefeli dances to a different rhythm. She always has. The tempo of her life has required that Jen pivot on a moment’s notice, thus she is nimble. She is inspired by those who sprinkle flower seeds in sidewalk cracks, and her heart swells when astronauts return to Earth. She often stacks blocks to inspire figure drawings, and she would tell you that good pasta and bold coffee are fuel for life.
Jen’s approach to creativity is multidisciplinary. She received her degree in InterArts from George Mason University, becoming the first graduate in the program. She went on to open Wild Root Creations ® and spent nearly ten years traveling to and living in Haiti. She currently serves on the board of Harvest107, based in Port au Prince.
Jen’s work is influenced by history, humanities, women’s rights, social sciences, politics, and psychology, and her experiences with populations impacted by transcendent trauma drive her to continue to search for ways to advocate for partnerships and resources. Jen uses her work to educate, not just adorn. Her pieces are bold and engaging, colorful and inspiring.
Stateside, Jen works with The American Heart Association, The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, and United Way. She is a Signature Member of The National Association of Women Artists (NAWA). She is a member of the Florida Chapter. She is a member of The Women's Caucus for Art, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, and The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Jen serves on the board of the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh and is a proud member of the Guild. Her work is shown at The Rochester Contemporary Art Center, Creative York’s Kerlin Gallery in York, Pennsylvania, and she shows her work as a member at the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Gallery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Gallery exhibitions are announced via her newsletter. Jen’s books, small works, and wearable work are available on her website.
Statement
As an InterArtist I move fluidly between studio art practices. My work is influenced by memories, photos, music, and listening to stories of social change throughout history. I consider myself an advocate and an educator, and my work wouldn’t be as powerful without these components. When I create I try to distill my thoughts and channel my experiences to let them pour and let them pour into my brushes. The splashing and looseness transform the Heaviness I feel. Gravity takes over and emotions become joyful expressions on canvas. Thoughts become tangible items. Sometimes wearable items, often with a story. However, I allow the interpretation to be left to the viewer.
My experiences, travel, work, and relationships make me who I am and impact my work.
Behind the scenes, I have been a mother for over twenty years. I have adopted siblings, and have adopted children. My experiences with trauma heavily influence my work. Living abroad has exposed me to the dark underbelly of the adoption crisis, and the process families experience when a child is relinquished. I have dedicated much of my work to improving resources for families to stay intact. I have seen the brutality of the process, and I now partner with organizations working to provide sustainable resources waging the fight against malnourishment. I will never give up the hope that all children learn they are worthy of love.
My work is often sold at auctions supporting NGO and Non-profit organizations in the U.S., and countries like Haiti and beyond.