Artist Jennifer Moore-Tymowska on starting painting in her 50s, going back to school, and creating opportunities

There are so many intriguing and exciting elements to this interview with artist Jennifer Moore-Tymowska. How she came to art in her 50s, went back to school at age 54, changing careers, and more. Please join me for a great conversation with this talented woman of the arts!

Disclosure: This sponsored post features a woman who inspires with her ambition, persistence, creativity, and natural artistic talent.

Interview with artist Jennifer Moore-Tymowska

I love how she experiments with lines and colors as an abstract expressionist artist! As you follow the interview below, enjoy the pieces of artwork from Jennifer Moore-Tymowska that you see along the way.

She is a former fashion model, so I started the interview with a question on my mind. Here we go!

As an artist today, what do you take with you from your previous career as an international fashion model?

It may seem surprising – but I learned discipline and focus. Maintaining a successful international career as a fashion model took determination and adaptability to new countries, new clients, [and] new groups of people to work with, as well as keeping physically fit and keeping a positive mindset. As I continue to globetrot (even though I say I will have to stop soon but don’t), my earlier years of frequent changes in new surroundings makes me feel that there is always something new on the horizon.

I am grateful that new opportunities continue to present themselves. But one also has to ‘make those things happen’ and not accept the feeling that ‘comfortable’ is good enough – but stay in a proactive mode.

As a model and muse for nearly 20 years in a world that included designers, photographers, and artists, it was indeed stimulating, and the energy that was exchanged sometimes produced exciting results. Often it was the collaborative effort that was needed – which is also why I continue to enjoy keeping in touch with my creative world of fellow artists.

Wonderful! What forms of art do you create, for those who are not yet familiar with your pieces?

I work primarily on canvas. I love working in acrylics as they are fast-drying and suit my style of working often ‘alla prima’. Starting and finishing a canvas in one go.

Other times though, I will return again and again to a canvas putting on yet another layer or scraping off paint before it is dry to reveal the colours underneath. I enjoy texture and use additives that include granular gels to offer a grainy surface or heavy gels that add layers and depth.

I use both stretched and unstretched canvases and generally like to paint on large canvases. When I paint a series of smaller works, I also like to paint on heavy-bodied watercolour papers with a rough surface or experiment with the smooth surface of a pine wood panel. Sometimes I hoard boxes and work on cardboard too. And recently, I have been trying out the effect of paint on metal surfaces.

I love how you continually expand what you do. I’d love to hear the story behind one of your paintings.

Recently I was contacted by a young man in his 20s who had just moved to a new apartment, and he commissioned a large painting. He specified, however, that although he loved my colourful art – would I paint him a piece in grey and blue as it was the colour scheme in his living room!

This was a challenge that stimulated me and I found it easier than I expected to meet his requirements, and we were both thrilled with the final results. To add a hint of lightness to the painting, I used silver leaf in a few areas so that the sunlight would catch it and make it vibrate.

Here is the finished artwork – Stunning!:

Interview with Jennifer Moore-Tymowska cont’d

You went back to school at 54 – What would you say to someone who thinks they are too old to start something new?

In conversation one day with my brother, he commented that I had gaps in my general knowledge. That irked me, and I decided to do something about it.

At that point in time, I was living in rural Australia with no university nearby. I decided to begin a degree course via Distance Studies, which involved ordering books and sending essays by post, and waiting for results and comments in the same manner. This took patience and persistence and by the time I had obtained my Bachelor’s Degree – Online Studies became possible and accessible, so I decided to continue on to obtain my Master’s Degree.

With this degree, as a freelancer, I became part of a team proofreading and editing translated texts for the National Museum in Warsaw, which I have been doing for the past eleven years. When I am not painting – I still get to be immersed in the world of Art and museums!

I made the decision to change continents and return to Australia as I was aching to be back in my country of birth. My caring husband had to ‘commute’ when he could from Europe – but the freedom and support he gave me was essential for me to try out new things.

As for developing my art career – the colours and flora and fauna of Western Australia captivated me at the same time I was working on my university studies. The two areas made for an exciting balance.

I was visually stimulated by art but also mentally stimulated by my return to school. I approached a local artist and asked if I could visit her studio and began spending time there – she gave me guidance and I quickly knew I wanted to pursue this further.

That was it! I was hooked and drawing and painting became a necessary part of my life. My time in Australia turned out to be limited, however, and after two years, I was back in Europe, missing the sun and bright colours that I left behind. This is when I began painting on a regular basis, as often as I could to have sunshine back in my life again.

Your passion for learning and art is inspiring! I’m curious, did you go to school for art?

I would have loved to have gone to art school but I believe it is not an essential step into becoming an artist. Particularly today, when they are so many opportunities and different ways to learn – either online, attending community art classes, or simply ‘giving it a go’ until the point when you realize that you could benefit from the advice of a working artist.

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More with Jennifer Moore-Tymowska

What do you think has helped make your art career so successful in a relatively short time?

Along with a certain level of skill, I believe it is my enthusiasm for art and art-related activities that propelled me quickly along the pathway to successfully creating and selling my art. When I wanted to get my art seen – I organized my first show and invited four other artists to join me.

Shortly afterward, I created an art circle of artists in my area, and I participate in other existing art circles when I change locations. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to me – I create my own.

One of the defining moments in my career was the Solo Show I created in 2019. I found a venue – a three-floor sports club that had brick walls, huge windows, and wide open spaces. I painted 26 works that were displayed on the three levels, and I felt an enormous sense of satisfaction. I felt that if I never had the chance of another Solo Show – I had this one to be proud of. I did all the organization and planning [as] well as finding the time and energy to paint.

I felt fulfilled as an artist, and this feeling is not always constant, of course – but it suffices for me to view a photo or two of the event – and the emotions and confidence return. Being an artist is constantly challenging and particularly in our modern world where so much effort must go into our social media content to keep us in the public eye.

I love your empowering spirit! What drew you to your art style rather than a different one?

The Impressionist painters first caught my eye, and I particularly enjoyed ‘plein-air painting’ of flowers and trees when I started – being outdoors among nature. My palette intensified as I became familiar with the Fauvists and their passionate affair with deeper and bolder colours.

Within a short period, though, I felt the need to paint on larger surfaces with tools other than brushes and embraced the use of palette knives and tools that house painters would use. Increasingly my art became more abstract and without barriers.

Can you share more about what inspires you when creating art?

I grab my colours and get ready to feel free! Although at times I have a clear vision of what I want to achieve – very often it is intuitive and I follow my instincts.

Almost organically, a body of work begins to develop, and I usually have several paintings on the go at one time. I move from one to the other as the paint is drying, and I find this exciting and energizing.

While I generally work on a larger scale on stretched or unstretched canvas, there are times when I do smaller series on paper or wood panels. Or work experimentally with found materials like cardboard or textiles.

Let’s talk next about your work as the President of International Women’s Clubs in Poland and Switzerland. What drives your passion for empowering women?

As a mother of two young children and finding myself living in Warsaw, Poland in 1990 – I knew I would need the support of others in the same situation. I discovered the International Women’s Group of Warsaw and joined as a member. Within a short time of membership, I became President of the club, and I was determined to help women integrate into a new culture and find their footing.

The warmth and generosity of the other club members helped to create a group where women felt comfortable and empowered to lead full lives. Fundraising and outreach were important elements of our commitment to integration.

More recently, as a widow, when I returned to spend more time again in Switzerland, I joined the International Women’s Club of Lausanne. There, I found comfort and support as I navigated a new and difficult pathway. Once more, I found myself in the position of President and part of a team of women who live in a land that is not their native one.

Adapting to life [in] Switzerland, with its natural physical beauty and comfortable infrastructure is not overly challenging, of course. However, while we are very much involved in fundraising activities too – women newly arrived do appreciate the friendship and welcome found through the numerous activities offered by the club.

These activities will help many women. What do you most want people to know about you as an artist?

I am delighted when I hear that my paintings are uplifting. That my work gives people a feeling of Joy and Inspiration. I am not the only artist around that wishes to transmit that feeling of Joy – but it truly gives me great pleasure and satisfaction when I hear that comment from friends and collectors.

Where can we see your uplifting art in person, Jennifer Moore-Tymowska?

My work is not yet in a museum, but it is a goal to be reached one day!

I participate regularly in shows internationally, and writing this makes me realize that it is time to reactivate my Newsletter (you can sign on via my Website) so that I can inform you ahead of time about upcoming shows!

I am currently based in three locations – Poland, Switzerland, and Canada. So if you are in one of those countries and wish to visit my studio(s) to see my art in person ­– I suggest you contact me via Direct Message on Instagram.

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A few last words from Jennifer Moore-Tymowska

Being featured on your blog is a great example of networking and cooperation that is part of maintaining outreach and involvement in other areas of communication. My hope is that it will stimulate other women, particularly those over 50, to realize that there is a whole new chapter of life and excitement awaiting them.

Be bold enough to try new things without overthinking it too much – as the saying goes –‘ just do it’. Be patient and persistent and reach out to others when you struggle in your journey, and you may be surprised by new opportunities that just seem to ‘appear’ on your pathway. YOU are making it happen.

Connect with Jennifer Moore-Tymowska online

Visit her website JENMOTYMART to find selected work and more about the artist. Shop and sign up for the newsletter to get updates too!

See more of her inspiring artwork on social media too. Find Jennifer Moore-Tymowska on Instagram @jenmotymart and Facebook.