In the Studio with Jordyn Roemer
Jordyn Roemer is a mother, artist, and teacher based out of Brooklyn Park, Maryland. She is currently exhibiting in the Hal Gomer Gallery through the end of August. Here’s Jordyn talking about her background and work:
On her early years: I grew up in an artistic household. My mother is a stained glass artist, and my parents ran a stained glass business throughout my growing up. As a result, I've always has a special appreciation for the interaction of line and shape and the intersection of geometric and organic forms. Color and light and how they are manipulated have also always keenly interested me. I don't know that there has very been a time when others didn't refer to me as an artist, so I suppose the answer is always. I try to instill that same mindset into my students. If you are creating, you are an artist!
On becoming an art educator: I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but had never really considered being an art teacher, and honestly have no clue why that didn't cross my mind sooner in my life. It wasn't until my senior year of high school when my teacher put the idea in my head that I could have Art as more than just a side hobby. At that point, I completely flipped my college plans around and started looking at art programs.
On teaching: One of my favorite things (about teaching) has been collaborating with the other faculty in my department to really push our programs to the next level. Creating lessons/units/activities that really get students excited and talking about what they're doing on a deeper level is the pride and joy of my career.
On her current inspirations: Relationships between things, and the ripple effects that they have. How our worlds are not discrete and everything eventually overlaps, collides, or touches. No man is an island, as they say. We can try to be, but it never ends up working. I like to think about ways to portray these things abstractly. As we go through life we need different things and different people at times, and those relationships look and affect us uniquely. My current works continue to explore that evolution, and the relationships I have personally with the people around me.
Advice to aspiring artists: Do it. Tell your story. It's never the wrong time to be creative and make something that matters. That being said, it only has to matter to you to be important. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I think it's also important for people to know that all artists doubt themselves. We're our own worst critics. The moment you've figured out the perfect formula is the moment you need to switch it up. Keep digging, keep evolving and growing as an artist and a human being.
Follow Jordyn on Instagram @jodyro_art
