Meet Jennifer Kosharek of Kosharek Art in St. Petersburg

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Kosharek.

Jennifer, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Most of my life, I was a realistic portrait painter working in oil paint with a BA in English. I woke up one day and let myself know it was ok to draw and paint unrealistically. That day or soon after, my character, Gretchen was born. She would be on 100s of pieces of mail art starting around 2008. I went from underground art to owning an art gallery in St. Petersburg, FL from January 2011 to January 2014. It was called the eve-N-odd gallery. I showed and sold art by hundreds of artists from local to international. At the same time, I was traveling a lot to Calgary, AB, Canada and met a street artist, Narchy, who inspired me to learn spray painting. I was the only female in St. Pete doing spray paint street art and I helped start what is now a booming mural scene in the City. I pushed building managers who pushed their owners to let artists paint in the alleys and on other walls. In 2014, my youngest of four children was born and I closed the gallery but kept spray painting and kept making art. I’m known for my paintings, street art, and the ragdolls/embroidery I create of my Gretchen Character.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s always a struggle to be a full-time mom and full-time artist. But what is worse than trying to provide for your children is the men who put you down because of it. The more successful you are, the more they want you to fail and the more they try to kill your dream. Mostly I’m talking about fellow artists who are willing to do anything to get attention and stay on top. Despite the haters–I know I have to keep my focus on my art and not on what the haters are saying or doing. The road has never been smooth but you get to where you are going by working hard and keeping your eyes on your personal goals.

What else should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from others?
I specialize in being an artist. An artist is a creative soul who HAS to make art. I am known for staying on my personal brand and not selling out. I’m known for street art, t-shirt designs, paintings, and rag dolls. Gretchen, my character is a girl-power, anti-suicide, pro-hope, pro-rights of women and children, kind of gal. I use bright colors and positive images to give people a sense of happiness, belonging and hope. Everyone needs a positive message and I hope my work can help people. I’m known for doing free-art-Friday and have been involved with the movement that street artist, “My Dog Sighs,” started in the UK. This is my 10th year giving away free art. I believe in art for the masses and movements like street art, free art Friday, The Sketchbook Project and Mail art. These activities help me get my art into the hands or eyes of others. I believe that street art is the people’s gallery. I’m a huge fan and past participant in Fluxus performance and the anti-art movement. So, what sets me apart? I do it all.

Tell us about your childhood, what were you like growing up?
As a kid, I loved playing with dolls and Barbie dolls, collecting Hello Kitty toys and drawing all the time. I was the kid who stood up for other kids getting bullied. In high school, I was the kid who listened to other kid’s problems. I spent a lot of time in my room making art, mostly drawing. I carried around my sketchbook everywhere and let the book introduce me to new people. I was the art nerd.

Pricing:

• t-shirts run $15 – $35
• Paintings go for $100-$2000 depending on size
• Street Art $1000-$8000
• rag dolls $20-$100

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kosharekart.art
• Phone: 727-215-3605
• Email: evenoddgallery@gmail.com
• Instagram: @kosharekart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evenoddgallery/
• Twitter: @eve_n_odd

Image Credit:
Kosharek Art

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