I am Jeni…
Thank you for visiting me here! For the last 20+ years I have been working as an illustrator and metalsmith. I’ve had a love of art and a penchant for science all my life. By day I am a certified medical illustrator and Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the Department of Art as Applied to Medicine where I previously received my Master of Arts in Medical and Biological Illustration. I’ve also been running my own private practice, Fairman Studios, which I founded in 2000. I create medical and scientific illustration for publication and patient education, 2D animation, web publishing and interactive and graphic design. Hence, my craftwork is constantly inspired by anatomy, science and nature.
I received a BS in Biological Sciences and a BA in Studio Art while minoring in German language from the University of Maryland. Most recently, I graduated with my second masters in the Business of Art and Design from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). In the past, I served as a scientific illustrator and research associate in entomology for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC within the National Museum of Natural History.
Realizing the need to make space for my own creative practice, I established my studio, Jeni Elizabeth. I like to create watercolor/cut-paper style Judaica art prints inspired from the many Jewish traditions and holidays I grew up with. I’ve designed many art prints for weddings (ketubahs), anniversaries, baby namings, b’nai mitzvot and holidays. Some of these designs are offered as limited edition prints in my shop, and are also available as print-on-demand on Fine Art America. Clients have also commissioned me to create custom prints for unique occassions.
Aside from illustration, my main focus at Jeni Elizabeth is contemporary jewelry fabrication. I enjoy very experimental approaches and often incorporate found objects into precious adornments for the body and the home. All of my wares can be found here in the shop at Jeni Elizabeth. I also create custom designs for clients.
My metalsmithing journey started as I learned how to create handmade jewelry nearly 2 decades ago. It was quite by accident. I started taking creative enrichment classes in Boston, MA. I reluctantly signed up for the always “sold out” jewelry class, questioning, “what’s the big deal?” I didn’t know what I was getting myself into really. I thought I was going to be working with beads and wire. The first day of class my instructor fired up the torch and handed it to me. Intimidated at first, I was smitten ever since.
customized adornments
After many years of experimenting in techniques such as soldering, electroforming, casting, enameling, granulation, die-forming and etching, I began to create my first production line centered around blossoms and cicadas. I decided to launch my nature inspired jewelry line in 2016. Now and then I update my production-line with new ideas and experiments from the studio. My latest line incorporates recycled materials such as school supplies, tins and courtesy cards.
Jeni Elizabeth Jewelry combines my love for all things nature, including botanical elements like blossoms and branches, insects (especially cicadas) and other curiosa. The materials I like to use include silver, bronze, copper, glass, dried flowers, old family photos, ephemera and other precious elements. Though you’ll notice a theme throughout my designs, each piece is handmade and unique. Feel free to message me with any questions and enjoy shopping!
#makecicadatime
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?I always tell my students to make cicada time. I am so used to making art for other people at their specifications and on tight deadlines. Time flies; life gets hectic. It’s important that we all make time and space for making our own creative outlets. Making art for art’s sake helps us constantly tinker and learn new things that feed our daily practice. For me, that was always giving into my obsession with nature, specifically botanicals and insects. One of my favorite motifs is the cicada which represents life-cycles and renewal. I constantly want to reinvent my creative process to keep things fresh, making “cicada time” a regular priority.
handmade nature-inspired jewelry
