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

Hi Jennifer, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I am an intensely creative person. When my children were born I had the space and time to just be with them at home and it is my happiest memories. I found that I started crafting things for them: personalized cakes, accessories, room decor, DIY projects, costumes, scrapbooks, and more. I could not stop my hands from making things and my mind from imagining more things to make. That first year, everyone I knew got a custom painting for Christmas and maybe another crafted something for a birthday too. What I love to make more than anything is art. And so, Red White & Glue became official. The name comes from my home country and adopted country flags as I have both US and UK citizenship, plus my fondness of my hot glue gun.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Born and raised in Hanford, California with a painter and a poet for a father, I was exposed to plenty of creative expressions. I became a high school English teacher to help others foster their love of the written word and I have dabbled plenty with various mediums myself.

I now live in the UK just outside of London and have been extremely lucky enough to have travelled to all 50 states and plan to see as many countries as possible (currently at 32). I am obsessed with the relationship between the world around us and our identity. Most of my work reflects this in nature, landscapes and my best selling artwork: maps.

Growing up in the central valley of California, the Sequoias is – and will always be – my happy place. Memories of valley orange and olive trees, my grandmother’s flower garden, the view of the mountains on a clear day… (ah, big sigh). A sense of place tells us who and where we are. Of course, America has a very long history, that must be acknowledged in all its parts.

My favorite oil painting (so far) is of the Flatirons in Boulder, Colorado – one of my most prized hiking experiences. It is a two-panel piece spanning 60 by 24 inches capturing the light on the trees and hills.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you are visiting Boulder, have breakfast at Snooze and pick up any hiking essentials at Patagonia. Then get hiking at the Flatirons. Spend time soaking up the gorgeous views. Spend the evening eating all the tacos at Torchy’s Tacos.

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?
Huge thanks to my customers and friends who trust me to capture their precious memories and adventures. I look forward to many more!

Website: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ShopRedWhiteandGlue

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redwhiteandglue

Image Credits
These are all my photographs

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.