Jennifer Chiles on returning to her first love: painting
Following a career in paediatric cardiac surgery, Jennifer Chiles found herself creating art pieces inspired by light, nature and her surroundings in Copenhagen.
“I fell in love with the way paint could imitate light – it was like playing. There have been many years in between but it’s honestly still that same feeling of magic when the brush hits the paper.”
Can you tell me about your creative journey, was there always a passion for art and creativity growing up?
As a child I absolutely loved strolling through art museums with my dad. Having grown up overseas, I had the opportunity to see art from all over the world and I think it just got under my skin and into my soul. I’ll never forget the first time we studied Monet in my elementary school art class. We were assigned the task of imitating one of his pieces; it was like magic. I fell in love with the way paint could imitate light – it was like playing. There have been many years in between but it’s honestly still that same feeling of magic when the brush hits the paper.
Can you tell us about your work before stepping into art full-time?
I have a passion for teaching and working with children, so it was only a natural fit that I found myself pursuing art education in college, with the intent to go on to a Master’s in art therapy. There’s nothing quite like watching a child discover their creativity and get lost in the making. It’s hard to imagine a happier place than an art classroom. I loved the years I taught, and I still often miss it.
After teaching art for several years, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was supposed to pursue paediatric medicine. My father was a doctor and I grew up thinking I would like to follow in his footsteps, and then I discovered art therapy and was distracted from that ambition for several years. However, I did circle back around to medicine and became a physician assistant and spent my career working in paediatric cardiac medicine.
While some can’t understand how art and medicine are related, it makes complete sense to me. Come join me in the operating room one day and perhaps I’ll be able to convince you!
“There’s nothing quite like watching a child discover their creativity and get lost in the making. It’s hard to imagine a happier place than an art classroom.”
What inspires your art pieces?
Our family has chosen to spend several years living in Copenhagen, Denmark (as a work opportunity was available for my husband). So the changing landscapes and new discoveries here in Scandinavia have been ripe for inspiration. Denmark has long stretches of rolling hills, wild coastline and the most interesting light through changing seasons that I have ever witnessed.
Copenhagen
