Meet Jeannete Stutzman | Artist, Jeweler, & Healthy Lifestyle Coach

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

Hi Jeannette, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I think people respond to what I create because I genuinely love what I do—and that kind of enthusiasm has a way of drawing people in.

With my art, I’m happiest when I’m creating. Every piece is its own little challenge: how can I capture the feeling or emotion a scene sparks in me? I’m always chasing interesting design, beautiful light and shadow, and that painterly, impressionistic style I love so much. Those are the things that keep me excited every time I begin a painting.

With my jewelry, I make pieces I personally love to wear. Everything is hand-fabricated, one at a time, with a bit of a boho vibe. A lot of my designs are everyday pieces, with some more intricate ones for special occasions. Living in Colorado, the casual pieces definitely get the most wear! I just really enjoy letting the materials shine and keeping things natural and approachable.

I’m also passionate about healthy living—for myself, my family, and my clients. As an Independent Certified Optavia coach, I love sharing my story, hearing about people’s goals, and seeing if I can help them on their journey. Metabolic dysfunction is such a big issue these days, and our programs have been clinically proven to help reverse the progression, often helping people reduce or even get off meds for things like blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.

And because I love to cook, I’m always tweaking recipes to make healthier versions. Honestly, that challenge is half the fun—and it’s what inspired me to start dreaming about creating a healthy-lifestyle cookbook someday.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
One of my favorite quotes is by artist Kevin Macpherson: “Painting is simple, but it’s not easy.” I love that line because it’s so true. I often compare painting to golf, skiing, or even cooking—there are so many things to think about when you’re learning and trying to improve, and you just can’t focus on everything at once. That’s why I tell my students to pick one thing to work on for a while, get comfortable with it, and then move on to the next.

In the beginning, most of us are just trying to get the shapes and colors right. And when you’re painting landscapes, it’s surprisingly easy to get lost in a scene. Rocks, branches, distance—your eyes jump around, and it can be confusing to look up at something and then look down and try to translate it onto your canvas or paper.

Over time, some of those skills become second nature, but there’s always another area to learn, refine, or explore. That’s part of what keeps painting so exciting. And for me, teaching keeps me fresh. It brings me back to the fundamentals of what makes artwork strong, and it reminds me of the challenges I used to face—and how I worked through them. I absolutely love those moments when I can explain something in a way that suddenly makes a concept “click” for someone.

I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to study with some of today’s best artists and instructors and I make it a goal to take at least one workshop each year to continue learning and growing as an artist.

I’m also active in several art organizations that keep me connected and inspired. I serve as Co-President of the Pastel Society of Colorado, and I’m a member of the Rocky Mountain Bead Society, an associate member of PAAC (Plein Air Artists of Colorado), and a member of the Gilpin County Art Association. These groups give me community, inspiration, and opportunities to volunteer and share the experiences I’ve picked up along the way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d definitely spend a day at the Denver Art Museum, and probably swing by the Aquarium—and if the weather cooperates, we’d add the zoo to the list too. And since Red Rocks Amphitheatre is practically in my backyard, we’d have to go there for a hike, a picnic, or maybe even a little plein air painting. Denver has so many great restaurants we could explore, but of course I’d cook at home for my bestie, too!

I think we’d have to go out for high tea—there’s a newer spot in Evergreen I’ve been dying to try. And with all the beautiful open space parks near my house, we’d get outside and enjoy a few of those as well. I’d also love to take them up to Central City to visit the Gilpin Arts gallery, then grab lunch or a coffee before heading home to relax for the evening.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My coaches and mentors, Dan & Mary Bell, have been absolute game-changers for us. With their guidance, my husband and I lost a combined 113 pounds and completely transformed our health. They’ve also continued to mentor me in my coaching business—and along the way have become truly wonderful friends. Because of these changes, I was able to retire from my 40-year graphic design career and create a life that’s more aligned with what matters most to me.

Website: https://JeannetteStutzman.com

Instagram: @JeannetteStutzmanArt and @JeannetteStutzmanArtJewelry

Facebook: facebook.com/jeannette.stutzman1

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@JeannetteStutzman