Meet Jennifer Chaparro: Special Event Chalk Artist/Street Painter

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

Hi Jennifer, how do you think about risk?
I have always been cautious and careful in my life decisions, but I have also come to realize that risk taking is important both for an artist and for everyone, to grow. Artists put themselves “out there” all the time, which is a big risk. We strive to elicit a reaction (good or bad) from the viewer. The worst thing for an artist is to be ignored. Moving into large scale chalk art, street painting and murals was a big risk for me. I had always worked small, in watercolor, pen and ink and paint. I was getting my work shown, but not selling enough to make it worthwhile. In 2004 I tried chalk art at a festival for fun with my daughter and discovered we were good at it and loved it. About this same time at my job as a graphic designer for the Town of Jupiter, I had the opportunity to take on coordinating events for the town. I jumped at the chance, while also working on my street art skills. The two skills together really helped me to understand the medium and how to create work that resonates with the viewers. Taking the risk has paid off, in that I am able to spend more of my time creating large scale works for towns, events and clients, and getting paid for it. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have overcome both some physical challenges and personal challenges to get to where I am today. I was born with hip dysplasia and also scoliosis, both of which I had to wear braces for. I then had back surgery about 20 years ago, before I ever started street painting. I have always been physically active (I skated competitively when young and up into adulthood). Street painting is very physically demanding which turns many artists off to it. They don’t like the long hours on your knees in the heat in unpredictable weather. But I enjoy the challenge and it’s part of what makes it exciting for me. I hope to continue creating street art as long as I am physically up to the challenge. As for personal challenges, I spent my twenties and thirties raising my two daughters and freelancing as a graphic designer. I then went through a very bad divorce, but eventually came out stronger, and as soon as my daughters went off to college, I was able to concentrate on my art, and started my own business, Amazing Street Painting. My business focuses on 3D interactive street painting and chalk art after I realized that there were very few artists creating this kind of art at a high level worldwide, and I wanted to combine my art with travel. My business has allowed me to travel and create in many interesting places that I might never have discovered otherwise (the Netherlands, Curacao, Ireland, England, Germany, and many states in the US. I have won many awards for my art and believe I am in the top tier of this art form, being maybe one of less than 30 artists worldwide who create at this level.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since I have only lived here a year, I probably don’t know about all the great places to go yet but I definitely would want to get them up to the mountains for at least a day hike and a visit to a traditional mountain town like Central City or Georgetown. Then I would take them to downtown Denver to perhaps the DAM to see art and maybe to take our bikes down the Cherry Creek Trail. In the evening, we would walk around the Santa Fe Arts District, and maybe eat at Chuey Fu’s. I also would take them to Boulder to see the Flat Irons (either early in the morning or at sunset) and over to Golden. A hike up to South Table Mesa would be on the schedule if the weather was good. If it was winter, perhaps skiing at Loveland. We love just walking, hiking and biking on all of the many trails throughout the area at all times of the year.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I think my parents deserve a lot of the credit for me being an artist. They encouraged my art talent from very early, and also as I pursued it as a career. Many parents tend to push their kids away from art because they think it’s an unstable career choice, but mine did the opposite. Also, I want to credit my partner of 14 years, Craig Houdeshell, for being my photographer, social media assistant and sounding board for many of the larger projects that I’ve taken on in the last 10 years or so.

Website: http://www.amazingstreetpainting.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amazingstreetpainting/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnchaparro/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JNChaparro
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3dchalkart
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AmazingStreetPaint
Other: https://www.pinterest.com/streetpainter/_saved/

Image Credits
Craig Houdeshell