By Julie Ann Bell
‘Tis the season for wonder and imagination. Whimsical art is one invitation into an experience of delight, joy or maybe even a sense of “what if.” This art may feature a light-hearted approach to nature or a mythical world of fairies and elves. It may blend what we consider “real” with imaginative characters, places or events. This style has roots in medieval manuscripts, fairy tales, folk art and surrealism. Whimsical art may bring a sense of playfulness, brightness and amusement, or a sense of the bizarre, edgy and odd—or all of these together in a quilt of the unexpected.
Her Surprise Adventure. Jenna Herbst, artist
Three of Trackside’s artists—Sennyo Senn, Jenna Herbst and Kimberly Coon—often journey into whimsy. Senn describes whimsical art as “the place I wish I could live in or travel to,” Herbst as “illustrations of our soul journeys” and Coon as “vibrant colors, style and subject matter that seems to make people smile and make them happy.”
Senn creates light-hearted, happy little critters living in a magical world. “Every time I doodle one of these critters,” she says, “I love to imagine their little adventurous lives that are also balanced by friendship and plenty of coziness.” Senn did not think she would ever be a “real artist” herself, but realized at age 40 that she was standing in her own way. She took a drawing class in 2020 and since has been “learning openly” so others can see her progress and know they can create, too.
Creating since she was young, Coon grew up with both a mother and grandmother who were artists. She says they were “always crafting, creating and making something,” so she was surrounded by art. Her imaginative paintings are often based on nature. Viewers of her bears, bees, flowers and trees often stop to smile and soak up the sense of delight in her paintings.
“I’ve always been a musician,” says Herbst. “I drew a lot as a child, but my art journey truly began during the pandemic when I started drawing all the time. It was something I could do alone and I discovered how much joy and peace it brought me.” Herbst combines her loves of reading and nature into her paintings. “I find myself drawn to art with a magical or soulful element to it, and art where animals or nature are joined with the human experience, where something is revealed. Art shows me how, regardless of our experiences or our losses, life is always redeeming itself through its own innate and magical beauty.”
These artists see their art as evolving and hope they can share that sense with others. Herbst hopes her art invites others to “sense the power of life, how things change and transform, how we discover something new or unknown and how we can heal ourselves and others through being authentic.”
Senn offers “Art & Chill” at Trackside Studios every Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. as an adult/older teen hangout in which people are invited to bring whatever project they are working on in order to create together in a stress-free environment. “All skill levels are welcome and it’s free,” says Senn. “Having something like this to go to would have inspired me to start art sooner in my life, and I want others to have that opportunity.”
Our artists invite all to our Holiday Market, Saturday and Sunday, December 13-14, or any day of the week, for a wide range of original art, ornaments and holiday gift ideas.
Trackside Studios is located at 375 Depot Street, in the River Arts District. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, and by appointment. Learn more at TracksideStudios.com.
