Having a creative job is something I have dreamed of for most of my life! I was that *one* kid who always had a giant pack of markers and every color of highlighter in existence-I hoarded them. My childhood bedroom quickly became a mini Hobby Lobby, and I became obsessed with making things. Like ALL kinds of things. It included but was not limited to countless pens, pencils, paints, ribbon scraps, scrapbook paper, beads, string, random notecards, and stuff that a normal person would probably label "trash." And I LOVED it.   

I considered starting a creative business SEVERAL times in high school. My sister would help me come up with business names like "Made by Maris" and we always had an idea floating around for what I could do next to really get it going. But I was always too nervous to actually go for it!    

I was too self-conscious to openly admit that I loved painting, and too worried that I would be terrible to start actually taking painting classes. If I could go back, I would tell myself that it is OKAY to make bad art! Everyone has to start somewhere, and I wish so badly that I could put my fear of being bad aside and just go for it. I already knew that I loved it, but I didn't have the guts to focus my life on it.    

I also loved science and reading, so when I was 18 and 19, I started pursuing a more practical career in a medicine. I floated around in different career ideas and ended up majoring in Public Health. Don't get me wrong-I am PASSIONATE about it  and am so grateful for my education. I was so privileged to be able to get a degree and I will always benefit from that decision. However, I had yet another chance in college to pursue art and I didn't take it!  

Luckily, I worked throughout college in flower shops that fueled my creative practice and I genuinely thought I would be a florist for the rest of my life. And I was honestly pumped about it! I found a work environment that I LOVED and could see myself working in for a long time. But, in the middle of moving to a new state, I made a huge leap away from my past self-conscious-painter and sold my first painting in April of 2024! I hope I never forget how that felt, because I was elated.  

Even through multiple business set-backs, a move to another state, and getting over my own ick in calling myself an artist-I am excited to finally share Maris Jensen Fine Art from here on out!  

 Thanks for being here ❁

 -Maris