Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Heinrich.
Hi Jenna, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi! I am Jenna, and I am a live watercolor portrait artist for luxury weddings and events.
I became an artist in my early twenties after an injury completely changed the course of my life. I suffered a traumatic brain injury in college, and went from being an accounting major, a college athlete, and someone who had just discovered a newfound independence, to being home and spending most days of the week at doctors’ appointments and therapies.
I could no longer read, drive, or live a normal life. I was throwing up most days and frequently falling because my vestibular system had been seriously affected. I lost several years of my memory, which included most of high school and memories of people and friendships I once knew. I also experienced significant short-term memory, vision, and cognitive issues.
Having never really pursued art before, I started painting. I quickly realized that painting eased my symptoms, sometimes even better than sleep. I was amazed that what I envisioned in my mind translated onto paper. What started as a form of therapy slowly turned into a passion.
Alongside the physical challenges, there was a great deal of emotional pain that came with losing so much of the life I had known. Who are you when you can no longer describe yourself because so much of what you once considered part of your identity is gone? I found myself falling back on my faith and who God says I am, rather than the long list of accolades and accomplishments I had built my identity around before college. In the depths of grief and depression, I came to understand and appreciate that we all have distinct, God-given value and purpose.
My art eventually took me in several different directions. My brother and I started a clothing brand called J. Shotmeyer after he, too, was home from college recovering when he was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully, he recovered, and his career eventually took a different direction while I continued developing my artistic work. Through the brand, I began designing patterns for clothing, which is still something I love doing when I get to collaborate with brands I admire. From there, I moved into commissioned artwork, product illustrations, and a variety of other creative projects.
The effects of my accident did not improve for nearly five years, and I spent much of that time in significant physical pain. After years of struggling, God healed me. I share more of that story, including the accident, the growth, the loss, and the miraculous healing, in my memoir, Are You Drowning? Overcoming in the Midst of Trauma and Loss.
After I was healed, I had been thinking about how I could take the artistic gifts God had given me, along with my deep belief that every person’s story matters, and turn them into a meaningful product or service. I had several close friends in the wedding industry, particularly photographers, and I had always hoped to find a way to bring my art into that world.
Live watercolor guest portraits eventually became such a natural fit because they bring together so much of what I love and stand for. I got married about six years ago, and I remember feeling so deeply honored that people would travel, take time out of their lives, and come together to celebrate our marriage. I wanted every single guest to feel included, appreciated, and to know how much their presence meant to us.
That experience has stayed with me. I believe there is something really special about making people feel seen, and I love that I get to do that through my artwork. At weddings and events, I have the opportunity to create something personal for guests while also giving them a glimpse into the artistic process. It is a little bit of entertainment, a little bit of fine art, and a meaningful way to celebrate the people who make an occasion special.
What started as an unexpected outlet during one of the most difficult seasons of my life has grown into a business that I genuinely love. Today, I am based in New Jersey and work with couples, families, and brands throughout New York City, New Jersey, and beyond. I feel incredibly grateful that something that began as a way to navigate my own story has become a way to illustrate the stories of others.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
For a long time, I thought making an impact meant reaching as many people as possible. I wanted to be chosen by big brands and influencers, work on large projects, and create something that would reach millions of people. I wanted to do everything and make the biggest impact I possibly could.
Over time, I have come to understand that impact isn’t measured by numbers. Sometimes the most meaningful work is the work that reaches just one person. I dedicated my memoir to “the girl in her dorm room crying on the floor” because that was who I was when I was writing about that season of my life. If my story could reach her, or someone who felt the way she did, that was enough for me.
That perspective has carried into my work with weddings. I love that I get to help brides and grooms do something they deeply want to do but simply cannot do for every guest themselves. They want each person who took the time to celebrate with them to feel valued, appreciated, and seen. Through my portraits, I get to extend that feeling to their guests on their behalf.
One of my favorite moments is when a guest asks how much their portrait will cost, and I get to tell them that it is a gift from the bride and groom. The smile that comes across their face is priceless. It is such a simple interaction, but it captures exactly what I love about this work. Someone feels thought of, appreciated, and genuinely special.
I love being able to bring that extra care and thoughtfulness to a celebration and give guests something they might never have expected. To me, that is impact, and it doesn’t have to reach millions of people to mean something.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in live watercolor guest portraits for luxury weddings and events. I create quick, elegant watercolor illustrations of guests, both individually and as couples, throughout an event. I love that it combines the beauty of fine art with the fun of live entertainment and gives guests something personal that was created just for them.
This work brings together so much of what I love and stand for. My tagline is “you are a masterpiece,” which comes from Ephesians 2:10. The verse describes us as God’s handiwork, created with intention and purpose. That message is something I hold very close to my heart. I believe every person has distinct value, and I love that my artwork gives me an opportunity to reflect a little of that back to people. It is about more than creating a beautiful portrait. It is about making someone feel seen, valued, and celebrated.
I am most proud of the joy this brings to brides, grooms, and their guests. I love seeing people’s reactions when they receive their portraits and knowing that something I created added a little extra spark to an already special day. I want guests to feel just as celebrated as the people hosting the event.
I also care deeply about the artistic quality of my work and the overall experience. From the style of the portraits to the presentation of my setup, I put a lot of thought into the details. I want everything to feel thoughtful, elegant, and special for both my clients and their guests.
My business has continued to grow, and I am so grateful for the wonderful inquiries and opportunities that come my way. I think there is something especially meaningful about handmade artwork in a world that is becoming increasingly digital and AI-driven. People are craving things that are personal, original, and made by hand. There is a difference between something generated and something an artist has taken the time to create specifically for you, and I think people really appreciate that.
I am always dreaming up new ways to serve my clients and bring their ideas to life. While live watercolor guest portraits are at the heart of my business, I have so many ideas for expanding my offerings, exploring new creative projects, and finding meaningful ways to incorporate original artwork into celebrations and experiences. I am excited about continuing to grow, both as an artist and as a business owner, and seeing where those ideas lead.
Ultimately, I hope people know me not only for my watercolor portraits, but for the heart behind them. I feel incredibly grateful that I get to use the artistic gifts God gave me to create something beautiful and, in a small way, remind people of the beauty and value God has already placed within them.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are several ways to work with me! The most common is booking me for live watercolor guest portraits at weddings and events. I work with couples, planners, venues, brands, and private hosts to bring original artwork into their celebrations and experiences.
I am also always interested in creative collaborations, particularly with brands and businesses looking for custom illustration, watercolor artwork, textile patterns, or other ways to incorporate original art into their products and experiences. I have had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects outside of live events, and I love getting to take an idea and figure out how to bring it to life through art.
I would love to continue building relationships with wedding planners, event designers, venues, photographers, and brands throughout New Jersey, New York City, and beyond. I think there are so many creative ways to incorporate artwork into an event or brand, and I am always open to hearing new ideas.
The simplest way to support my work is to follow me @illustratedbyjenna, share my artwork with someone who might enjoy it, or pass my name along to someone planning an event. Referrals mean so much to me as a small business, and I am incredibly grateful for the people who have helped my work reach new clients and opportunities.
And if you have an idea that you think we could create together, I would genuinely love to hear about it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://illustratedbyjenna.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illustratedbyjenna/
