Meet Jeanette Salzburg | Fine Artist/Watercolor, Pastel and Colored Pencil

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeanette Salzburg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeanette, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Creating art is my life’s passion. I’d rather be in my studio than anywhere else. Having my own business would allow me to live the life I have always wanted, and be my own boss. I want to make a difference and raise awareness of the endangered species on our planet, because I feel connected to Nature when I am creating.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My education started with commercial art, and computer graphics, but my true passion has always been fine art. Growing up in New England offered a lot of inspiration and I fell in love with Charles Reid’s approach to watercolor.

Moving to Colorado offered me the opportunity to take Quang Ho’s year-long professional study group at the Art Students League of Denver. I also went to Spain and Morocco with a group of oil painters for a Kim English painting workshop. These experiences taught me how to structure a painting in any media, and where I fell in love with plein air painting.

I took a workshop with the late great master of oil painting, Richard Schmid. I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to study with such greats as these! Other such influences are Kevin Weckbach, Cheryl St. John, and Doug Dawson, who also offered workshops through the Art Student’s League.

I sold my work professionally for 6 years in several galleries around Denver including Abend, a flower shop in Cherry Creek, and a seaside town in Connecticut.

My art business took a backseat to a full time position as an administrative assistant and now as an accounts payable specialist after a divorce and Covid, which ruined a plan to relocate to Portland, Maine. Sometimes, life throws you a curveball, and you go through difficult changes. Now back in Colorado, I am hopeful that I can make the transition back to painting full time, and continue my studies in botanical illustration at the Botanical Gardens.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, I would take them to Quang Ho’s gallery in LoDo, and then go to the Botanic Garden’s. Maybe stop for a Mediterranean lunch or dinner, and finish with a hot fudge sundae at Dairy Queen.

The next day would be spent at the Denver Art Museum, have a lobster roll at the Cousin’s Maine Lobster truck, and a cold brew from the brewery next door.

I would suggest going on a painting excursion to a nearby trail or park, and study the trees, and flora of Colorado. Bring a sketchbook, and create some botanical sketches with watercolor. Top off the day with a delicious Italian dinner and glass of wine, and share our experiences of the day.

Since I haven’t yet been to MeowWolf, I would suggest that for the next day, followed by some chili rellenos at Moosehill Cantina, and watch the animated movie about Van Gogh or documentary on the Impressionists.

Finally, spend some money at Meininger’s, and get in a full day of painting in the studio, do some yoga and meditate.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Colleen Hennessy has inspired me with her paintings, photography and what a positive influence she has on others. She is fearless and great at sharing her talents with the World.

Website: Jeanette Salzburg Fine Art Facebook page (will be updating with new works) is currently the only place that I have artwork on.

Other: Email is jeanettesalzburg@gmail.com