The Creativity Project Week #36: Jen Broemel

Jen Broemel was a creative kid who became an architect, then a stay at home mom, then a quilter, and is now making art with fiber. There is a playfulness to Jen’s work that draws the viewer in and lets them know how much fun she is having.  Her quilts have exhibited in numerous shows, including QuiltCon, and most recently her quilt, Sweet Spots, was selected for this year’s High Art Billboard project (and it goes up in Indianapolis this week)! Next on Jen’s journey is the desire to share her love of improvisational work with others. She is currently developing an interview series of her own to start a discussion around improvisational piecing. Called the Art of Improv, her series is set to launch later this fall. Welcome, Jen!

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How would you describe your quilting style/aesthetic?

I would describe my aesthetic as intuitive, experimental. I like to play, and I am not afraid to mess up. I set out with very little expectation of what or how a piece will turn out when I begin. I start with an idea, not a plan.

How would you describe the creative environment in your home as a child?

My family recognized that I was artistic, but they didn’t really know what to do with it, so I made do with the materials I had on hand. I loved fashion and was constantly cutting up and putting my clothes back together. I am thankful that my mom allowed me to express myself freely in this way. She taught me self-confidence; to be myself, to love who I am, just the way I am. She loved me unconditionally and I always knew that. I feel lucky to have learned this at an early age. It has certainly come in handy living a creative life.

What artists and makers do you most admire or have an influence on your work?

I admire anyone and everyone who is willing to share what they are making, because it is not an easy thing to do. There really is no way that I could narrow this admiration down to a reasonable list. There are so many and, is so much to be inspired by. Sometimes I get overwhelmed. I try not to let the work of others influence my own work; but I know that it does, that it has, and that it will continue to do so. It soaks in whether I like it or not. I quit fighting it, I allow it in, and I thank it for finding me.

Do you consider yourself a “quilter”, an artist, or some combination of both?

Quilting is a medium, a process. I am an artist. We all are. We all have something to offer the world with our art, our creativity, our visions, and our voices. There is art in everything. That is not to say we don’t need to work at it, because we do, and I am working at it. Really hard. Every single day.

How would you define “making with intention”?

To me, making with intention, means creating with purpose. I strive to understand what I am making, the way I am making it, and why I am making it. My intention is to notice, to explore, to trust, to evolve, and to enjoy the process along the way. That intention may change over time. I may come back to it or may look back and laugh, but for now this is what making with intention means to me.

Do you think that having a craft makes us more compassionate? If so, then how?

YES! No one has a craft, hobby, or art unless they want to. No one forces us to do it. We choose it. When we spend time doing what we want to do, we become better people. I see it as self-care. We all need to spend more time doing what we love and less time worrying about what we, or others, think we are supposed to be doing. When we take care of our craft, we take care of ourselves, and then we are prepared to better take care of others. When others feel they are taken care of, they in turn become more compassionate. It is a beautiful cycle that I am honored to help spin.

How does creating feed your soul/spiritual purpose?

I think at its core, making, the satisfaction of making something out of nothing, is a spiritual experience. There are many that believe that by honoring our creative urges we are honoring God. I like this idea a lot. It makes sense to me. I believe when we honor ourselves, (and we do that every time we create), we feed not only our own souls but the souls around us too.

Are there any rituals that you perform to prepare/ground yourself in your work?

I am a creature of habit. So yes, I have many regular routines that help me prepare to get ready to work. They are especially helpful when I am not feeling super creative or in the mood to make. They get me started and that is usually all it takes.

What is the support system you have in place for creating your work?

My husband and kids are super supportive. It would be impossible without them. My local sewing and quilting community is amazingly supportive. They have all been very open and accepting of me and all my crazy wild and unconventional ideas. Indianapolis has a wonderful arts community that I am getting to know a little better and I am so lucky to have found. I cannot say enough good things about the Instagram community and the people that have motivated and supported me there. I am so very grateful to them all.

How do you deal with comparison to / envy of others? Can you describe a time when you used comparison/envy/admiration to push yourself in your own work and self-discovery?

It does creep in, doesn’t it? I really try to ignore it. I am of the mindset that there is enough for everyone. There is space for you to be successful in your way and for me to be successful in my way. Because of this I try to be genuinely happy for the successes of others. It does still sting sometimes, I’ve let this ‘sting’ work for me by letting it push me to show and submit my work more often. It has also helped push me to explore personal ideas and most importantly to get things FINISHED.

What was the most challenging thing you ever made?

The last thing I finished is always the most challenging thing I ever made.

What does it mean to you to work in a traditionally domestic medium that historically has been regarded as predominately female (aka “women’s work”)?

I didn’t consciously set out to find it. It found me. I am honored to be able to contribute my work and to perhaps draw attention to the history of the all the women who have used cloth and thread to make art. Art that warmed and comforted their families and their communities, and also decorated their lives. I am grateful to have learned from them how to explore, find, and use my creative voice. I am grateful for the freedom to use my voice the way I want, and I acknowledge that this is a relatively new freedom for women, and that not all women have this freedom. It is a freedom that we must continue to protect and fight for.

How do you see your current work in the context of quilting history?

The history of quilt making is long and complex. I am still learning. I am just getting started. My work is a little speck on the very textured timeline. But still, I am following my heart and creating art that is quilted. I am using my hands on cloth and pursuing my art. Perhaps it will draw someone’s attention to quilts and their history. Perhaps it will encourage someone to pursue their love of making quilts. What else can we ask our work to do? This is how the world is changed every day. One, little stitch, at a time.

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Thank you, Jen!  Such a pleasure to learn more about you and your work! For more about Jen, visit her website, or connect with her on Instagram. And don’t forget to VOTE FOR JEN! Her artwork is one of ten up for the grand prize to be featured on billboards around her town in Indiana!

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