Jennifer Blanchard Multimedia Artist, Earth and Environmental Scientist, Educator, and Activist: As someone that has lived at the headwaters and the mouth of the Mississippi River I had an extremely dichotomous upbringing. This has played a significant role in shaping my personal and professional development. I am a Taurus, an earth sign, extremely grounded and connected to the natural environment and other living organisms. My educational background is in Earth and Environmental Science. I've taught courses in geology, physical science, earth science, and biology. I have in-depth knowledge of mineralogy and geochemistry. As an artist it allows me to continue to learn through application of physical and chemical theory. I am a multimedia artist and I have been producing and selling my work professionally since 2012, and although I'm currently primarily working in ceramics, very recently I created a painting that is part of a virtual reality/augmented reality art show “Battlegrounds Nola” on the 4th Wall application. Over my artistic experience the subject matter of my work is diverse. The genre is what I describe as modern impressionist-contemporary art. A resonate theme throughout my work is nature, New Orleans, and the South along with all of the underlying themes that accompany ones experience living in an almost 3rd world urban landscape that due to culture, environmental racism, conspiracy, geology, and corruption, has been shaped and harnessed into an ethereal hedonistic Eden trapped in several vectors of physics, time, and space. I seek out information through research and employ new techniques primarily through experimentation. This evolves through mold making, altering clay, and alternative firing processes utilized in my work. In painting and surface decoration I tend to deviate from the traditional or realistic use of color. I prefer to use bright bold soulful colors. The scientist in me has an affinity for the appearance of metallics produced by copper flashing. I utilize a variety of techniques in the ceramics studio as described in my portfolio. My preferred firing method is Raku allowing the fire to paint the glaze through the reduction process. I constantly aspire to create uniquely one of a kind works. I predominantly handbuild, slip cast, and alter clay. In my use of form and imagery I convey a message that is aimed to evoke an emotion or response. In essence all art evokes emotion. The result is unique to each individual observer/consumer, but I want the observer to feel something when they look at my work, even if that emotion is uncomfortable. There's a reason for that uncomfortability, and in that, is where the truth in the learning experience happens. By the use of symbology, color, and nontraditional techniques I hope to inspire my viewers into new exploration and investigation of their surroundings. My past work has been honoring the history of the region and recently I've been utilizing my work to address urgent topics of social justice. My ultimate goal is to continue developing concepts into large scale sculpture to create immersive exhibits. Through the use of biotic and abiotic media including ceramic sculpture, light, photography, audio, and film in combination with botanical or other biological specimens the end result being a culmination of a multimedia approach that transports the viewer to another other worldly experience. An experience that makes them question their very own perception of reality and thus leading to a sense of greater purpose.