Getting creative at Lilla Rogers’ Color Quest Art Retreat March ‘25 at the beautiful Quinta Bonita in Lagos, Portugal!
Hi, my name is Jennifer and I love drawing, traveling, and photography. I carry a small sketchbook and pen with me wherever I go so I can capture little moments with my pen. I love being inspired by what is around me.
I live in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, North Carolina, and I love being out in nature, it feeds my soul!
I have a Masters degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology, and was a personal trainer, and an adjunct professor at UNCA before kids and before beginning my career as an artist in the spring of 2017.
I have taken painting classes with local artist Ursula Gullow and online art illustration classes with Lilla Rogers’ and Beth Kempton’s Make Art That Sells online courses.
In September of 2024, I attended a lovely art + culinary retreat (Provence by Heart Creative Retreats) in the south of France with local NC artist Meg Winnecour, French artist Camille Rebuffel, and Agnès Benoit, and I just attended an dreamy Uptrek Color Art Retreat in Portugal with the incredible Lilla Rogers in March of 2025! I made some amazing new friends and may assist Laly Mille (a French mixed media artist) in an art retreat in France in 2027!
I am currently in Lilla Rogers’ 6-week Inner Circle, which is a small-group mentoring intensive. I’m working on growing as an artist / illustrator and thinking about next steps, which will include sketch meet-ups (see my event page for my first one!) and future artist retreats that incorporate health and wellness, as that is an important part of all of our lives. When we are well and thriving, so many possibilities open up for us!
In 2003, I attended a writing retreat in the south of France with author Abigail Dewitt, which inspired me to learn the language, as I fell in love with the French way of life. I find traveling is a nice way to open your mind and be reminded of the importance of kindness and community. Having done more traveling since 2003, I have fallen in love with other countries as well, like Denmark, Belgium, and Italy, and now, Portugal!
The artist community is full of love and communal support, and I’m reminded of this when I attend a retreat, or meet other artists out for a sketch date.
I welcome you to join us and get in touch with your inner artist! One of the best ways of doing that is by playing in a sketchbook. You don’t have to show anyone. I didn’t for many years. It was something I did for myself. A way to be present in the moment and get in a zen-like state.
I have completed three non-consecutive 365 days of drawing challenges, the most recent one ending on Dec 31st, 2018. The last 365 day challenge was a lot of fun, because every day in 2018 I posted my drawings on Instagram (@jenniferrussavl) and managed not to miss a day! I also made a lot of new friends in the process! It is amazing how having a daily practice improves your art!!
As of April 18th, 2025, I just recently finished doing a sketch a day for 40 days and shared them in my Insta stories. I created a highlight of them, so you can see my favs. You can also see highlights from my travels and the retreat I just attended in Portugal, under the Lagos highlight!
If you have any questions about my work, are interested in licensing my art, carrying some of my products in your store, thinking of having an artist retreat in your area, or just want to say hello, send me an email at jennifer[at]jenniferruss[dot]com. All of my postcards and stickers are available for wholesale.
Find my postcards and/or stickers in the following Asheville shops: Double D’s Coffee and Desserts, Moonlight Makers, Dolce Vita, L.O.F.T. of Asheville, and Whist: Greeting and Gifts. And also in Black Mountain, NC at Dang!, and at the Show and Tell Pop Up happening this May 1 - 18 at Church Street Studios in Waynesville, NC!
To see what I’m up to next (and with me, it’s always something!) follow me on instagram at: @jenniferrussavl and check out my IG stories!
Thank you for checking out my art! Supporting artists is cool! Yay for being cool!
Jennifer
All the artwork on this site was created by Jennifer Russ. For licensing rights or commission work, please email Jennifer at Jennifer[at]jenniferruss[dot]com..