Washington D.C. based oil painter Jennifer Lynn Beaudet uses interpretive color and dynamic brushwork to convey a sense of emotion and possibility. Enjoy more of her work by visiting her website.
![Oil portrait of a young girl by Jennifer Beaudet](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Quiet-Moment.jpg)
“Quiet Moment” Oil on Canvas, 9” x 12”
Color is exciting to me in a painting. It’s not until I find the right color interactions that the painting takes off.
![Oil painting of the crowd at the Montgomery County Fair by Jennifer Beaudet](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Beaudet-MONTGOMERY-COUNTY-FAIR-16x20-1.jpg)
“Montgomery County Fair” Oil on Canvas, 20” x 16”
The exploration of color in a painting is quite moving and empowering. There is no right or wrong answer. It’s really about what I see. Sometimes I go for a run or walk in nature to open up my senses before I paint.
![Oil painting of a street scene in downtown Washington, DC, by Jennifer Beaudet](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Midtown-Possibilities.jpg)
“Midtown Possibilities” Oil on Board, 9” x 12”
I love vibrant color but I think the realism comes when I find the right balance—a push and pull until the hues harmonize convincingly. I really look. Sometimes so deeply that I see something totally unexpected. I think that’s where the magic happens for me.
![Oil painting of a young boy standing in the surf on a beach by Jennifer Beaudet](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Beaudet-SURF-12x12-1.jpg)
“Surf” Oil on Canvas, 12” x 12”
Right now, I’m slightly obsessed with magenta. And I search for it. I love that it can dance between cool and warm, depending on how it interacts with its surroundings.
![Detail of the oil painting "Surf" by Jennifer Beaudet](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Beaudet-SURF-Detail.jpg)
“Surf” (Detail) Oil on Canvas
You wouldn’t expect it on my son’s face and hair. I think it brings out his features while contrasting against a calm ocean in a mellow and interesting way.
![Oil landscape of a farm off of a mountain road by Jennifer Beaudet](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Beaudet-MOUNTAIN-DRIVE-24x36-1.jpg)
“Mountain Drive” Oil on Canvas, 36” x 24”
My brushwork and color choices go hand in hand—they are not independent of one another. Sometimes my brush will take a color in a direction that surprises me. It’s all part of the exploration and creative process. I get to share a bit of my process when I leave those marks.
![Oil portrait of a baby named Jacob by Jennifer Beaudet](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jacob.jpg)
“Jacob” Oil on Canvas, 9” x 12”
Figures and portraits feel very natural and organic for me to paint. I apply broad and loose brushstrokes of color and then refine where I need, constantly correcting and adjusting as I go. I think this process keeps my style loose.
![Self portrait in oil by Jennifer Beaudet](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Self-Reflection.jpg)
“Self Reflection” Oil on Canvas, 12” x 12”
Oil paint is satisfyingly tactile and I can be expressive with it depending on my mood and how I feel about my subject.
![Oil painting of the beginning of a marathon at Noyes by Jennifer Beaudet](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Start-at-Noyes.jpg)
“Start at Noyes” Oil on Canvas, 24” x 18”
When I painted “Start at Noyes” I was in the midst of caring for my child who was undergoing chemo. We were pushed to our limits as a family and coming out strong. Looking back, I think that’s why there is so much energy, furor and strength conveyed. The brushwork was purposeful. It’s what I needed at the time and how I wanted to portray the children in the scene –with hope, courage, and strength.
![Oil city scape of Kensington Station by Jennifer Beaudet](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Beaudet-KENSINGTON-STATION-16x20-1.jpg)
“Kensington Station” Oil on Canvas, 20” x 16”
While I do work from life at times, most of my work comes from photographic reference that I capture myself.
![Oil portrait of a young boy by Jennifer Beaudet](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Those-Eyes-500px.jpg)
“Those Eyes” Oil on Board, 18” x 24”
I am particular about the images I choose so it’s part of the process that frustrates me at times. While I do gravitate toward relatable subjects, I’m not interested in pictures that are too posed or classic. I look for imagery that evokes emotion and means something.
![Artist Jennifer Beaudet with her painting "Those Eyes"](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Jen-in-front-of-Those-Eyes.jpg)
Artist Jennifer Beaudet with her painting “Those Eyes”
The right lighting and atmosphere will give extra emphasis to that mood and draw you in to find out more. I think that’s what we all want—to know more about ourselves and what’s important to us.
Artist Jennifer Beaudet invites you to follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
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