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Artist Spotlight: Jennifer Wessmiller
At Sitar Arts Center, we are proud to highlight the talented artists within our community. Recently, we sat down with Jennifer Wessmiller, who took home first place in this year’s 15th Annual Patricia Sitar Juried Art Exhibition.
Jennifer wears many hats: she’s a student at Northern Virginia Community College pursuing degrees in Fine Arts and Graphic Design, an employee with the U.S. Department of Defense, and a Navy veteran. For over 30 years, she’s nurtured her love for photography, drawing, painting, mixed media, and digital arts. We caught up with Jennifer to hear more about her creative path, the personal experiences that shape her work, and what she’s looking forward to next.
Jennifer, we’re so excited to feature you—thanks for taking the time to chat with us. To start, can you take us back to the beginning of your journey as an artist? What’s your story?
Art and creativity have always been integral parts of my life. I won my first art “competition” in first grade, and from that moment on, I continued to pursue art in one form or another, weaving it in and out of different stages of my life. My high school art teacher had a profound influence on me, sparking a deeper appreciation for the creative process. Although I chose to pursue a science degree as an undergraduate, I continued to foster my creative side by taking theater and photography classes, even minoring in theater.
After earning my bachelor’s degree, I briefly attended photography school before ultimately joining the Navy. Throughout my Navy career, art remained close to my heart, even if life sometimes required me to place it on the back burner. Now, after many years of service, I am at a point where I can fully embrace my artistic passions once again.
Currently, I am pursuing degrees in both Fine Arts and Graphic Design at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), and it has been a joy and highlight over the past two years. Tapping back into my creativity has been revitalizing—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Reconnecting with art has not only reignited a long-standing passion but has truly reinvigorated my sense of self.
That’s a beautiful journey. What would you say has helped you grow the most—as both an artist and a person?
My growth as both an artist and a person is deeply rooted in my life experiences. Art has always been my outlet … a way to process the emotional journeys that life inevitably brings. In the middle of a busy, often chaotic life balancing family, work, and school, art is how I find some sanity. It forces me to slow down and to reflect. My creative work is often a byproduct of these much-needed mental pauses, and as a result, my pieces tend to come out eclectic and a little odd which is a direct reflection of the unpredictable nature of my life.
I draw heavily from personal experiences for inspiration, especially those tied to themes of death, near-death, grief, anxiety, and acceptance. These heavier subjects often guide my work, but I also find joy in creating lighter, more whimsical pieces to balance the emotional weight. Animals frequently appear as recurring motifs in my art, which makes sense because I’ve always been a passionate animal lover. I find their innocence and loyalty deeply comforting.
At my core, I love to experiment and learn new techniques and to push myself to work with different materials. Art, for me, is both a sanctuary and a means for continued growth.
We’d love to learn more about your work. How would you describe your artistic style? What makes your work uniquely yours?
I still consider myself a novice and am continuing to learn and grow, so my style is varied as I explore different techniques and materials. One thing that sets my work apart is that I often combine poetry with my art. Sometimes I create a piece of art based on a poem I’ve written, and other times I write a poem to go with my artwork. Bringing the two together helps me express emotions and ideas in a way that feels more complete.
Your personal approach of combining poetry and visual art to express yourself more fully is so inspiring—especially for artists still discovering their own voice. Is there any other insight or advice you’d share with someone just starting out on their creative journey, or with your younger self?
I don’t regret my journey, but I do wish I had stayed connected to art instead of letting it fall away for long stretches of time. My advice to other artists early in their creative journey is to stick with it if it’s truly your passion. Create for yourself, not for others. Make what you love and what inspires you. Failure isn’t when someone doesn’t like your work—it’s when you let that stop you from creating.
That’s such thoughtful advice, and it really speaks to the importance of staying true to your own creative voice. On that note, when someone experiences your work, what do you hope they walk away with?
I just want people to feel something, whether it’s positive or negative. I hope my work makes people think, wonder, reflect, smile, or feel a connection in some way. Art is how we remind each other we’re not alone in our fears, our hopes, or the quiet things we carry.
Jennifer, your journey and reflections have been incredibly moving—from how art has helped you process life’s ups and downs, to the way you blend creativity and personal meaning in your work. Before we let you go, are there any exciting projects or upcoming exhibitions we should keep an eye out for?
My very first exhibition is actually happening right here at Sitar later this year! I’m extremely excited and grateful to Sitar for helping make one of my dreams (having my own solo show) a reality. I’m currently working on several new projects in preparation for it!
Stay tuned for more details about Jennifer’s solo exhibition. We’re honored to be part of her creative journey and can’t wait to see where it leads next.