Artist bio

Growing up on a ‘dead end’ road in the country; Northwest Ohio-native artist, Jennifer Sowders, grew up spending a lot of time studying nature and it’s indelible thread is noted within her painted landscape and figurative series bodies of work. A 1994 BFA graduate from the Columbus College of Art and Design, she has signature membership in: Ohio Watercolor Society and Watercolor USA Honor Society. She holds associate membership in: Allied Artists, American Impressionist and National Oil & Acrylic Painters' Societies. New to acrylic landscapes as of 2021, she debuted with an honorable mention in AcrylicWorks 9 : The Best of Acrylic and has since been a finalist in issues 10, 11 & 12. She is also an avid watercolorist, having 2 pieces in the Ohio Arts Council collection. She is author of “Bible Promises Spoken”, a 100+ topical Bible Promise video series, through her YouTube channel: hearingGod. Selected prints of her work can be found at: propheticsgallery.com Her most recent accomplishments have been in receiving the Ohio Watercolor Society's Silver Medal, 2nd place in the landscape division of the Artists Magazine’s 40th Annual, and Grand Prize in International Artist magazine's challenge #141 and #149 Landscapes ('24/'25, Two years in a row!). She is currently represented by the Toledo Museum of Art’s Collector Corner, Gallery 317 (Bryan, OH) and is actively welcoming further representation and group show opportunities as well.​ Jennifer opens up her Fostoria, Ohio studio and gallery space: MONgallery and Art Studio, every MONday to visitors. She coined “MON” to represent “Middle Of Nowhere” because of her rural location where she lives with husband, Gary and has 3 sons.

Title

Finding Meaning

Medium/Genre

Painting

Artist Statement

"Finding Meaning" is a self-portrait in the trying-times of Covid. My Father-in-Law was on a ventilator for 3 weeks and prayer ‘got real’. He pulled through and gives God the glory!
This piece is as a memorial for some; an expression of heartfelt prayer and real emotions in the thick of things, and an exhortation to hold fast to the beautiful promises of Jesus as symbolized in the flowers. I told my son to get me the biggest bouquet for my photo shoot because I wanted the flowers to counter the painful emotion… to seemingly envelop me and to know that the air is full of their sweet perfume. My eyes shut because I’m not focusing on the circumstances but I’m finding meaning in His truth.

How it fits into contest

Throughout Ephesians 6:10-20 The words: Be Strong, Stand Firm and Truth, lift off the page to me. The tears wept are not weakness but are strength. They are earnest.. built from intercession. I can stand firm when my eyes are not on the circumstances of the battle but finding the meaning in focusing upon His truth (This is why my eyes are shut in the painting... "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood..."). By the crowding of flowers, I’m desiring to impart the memory of fragrance that flowers have which are symbolic of the fervent prayers during any battle. Psalm 141:2a “May my prayer be set before you like incense..”

How to Purchase this Artwork

$900 Through my website: www.MONgallery.us

Other Goods & Services Available from this Artist

Artreprenuer: https://artrepreneur.com/p/mongallery
Prophetics Gallery (prints): https://www.propheticsgallery.com/jennifer-sowders
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JenniferSowders
Saatchi: https://www.saatchiart.com/designbyjen

Links: www.MONgallery.us
www.instagram.com/mongallery.us
www.facebook.com/jensowdersart

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The 2026 Engage Art Contest will be accepting new artwork in January 2026!