Artist and retired Toledo Public Library Director Jenny Bledsoe pictured with one of her more recent pieces. Bledsoe’s art will be on display at the Traer Public Library through February. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

TRAER – For as long as I can remember, I have been a maker. Creating something, anything, has always been a part of me. I try to create things from objects that have already been placed here for one purpose, then turn those objects into something new to serve an entirely different purpose. I am mindful to adopt the wisdom of the three R’s of “reduce, reuse, recycle” where we reduce our consumption, reuse useful items and recycle materials to keep them out of our landfills. So instead of purchasing new items, you will find me picking and thrifting from garage sales, thrift stores and marketplace to find frames for my art projects and small pieces of décor and furniture to transform.

The art style that has been catapulting me forward is new to me. After retiring from my position as a library director, I was inspired by something I saw. This particular piece was created with fabric, but I ran with the general idea and started to frantically create pieces of my own. My process begins, not with an idea of what I will create, but rather a background.

The pieces that I have chosen to display at the Traer Public Library are mostly multi-layered pieces that have been created using canvas and cracker or cereal box cardboard to fit into a particular frame. My process begins with a paint “scraping” method to blend the background into a “wallpaper” type look. A small cardboard piece, (a scraper) and a brayer are used to create the background just how I want it. My fingers act as one of my best tools and will do much of the rubbing, smearing and smudging to achieve a somewhat grungy effect until the background feels complete. Other pieces of my process are stencils, tissue paper, bubble wrap, coffee filters, torn pieces of papers, paper bags, modeling paste, charcoal, colored pencil and my own blended papers. Each piece is done using a layering process that takes anywhere from two days to two weeks to complete. I keep my supplies handy and create at the dining table where my overwintered plants and nature are in view and my cat keeps me company. I find that when all my supplies get tucked away, my creative flow gets tucked away with it. So, it all remains front and center on the table (except for game playing and family gatherings). Here in this cozy space, I can listen to music, podcasts and the many, many books that are constantly on my list. With the exception of three pieces, all the projects you will see in this library display have been created and completed in 2023.

The pieces I have selected will be presented at the beautiful Traer Library for the first time. As you peruse the display, you may spot a heart or two in each creation. The hearts represent the love of my family, the creating process itself and the healing that this process has brought into my life. My hope is that you enjoy viewing the display and that it brings a smile to your face and by observing my creations, they will evoke a reaction of inspiration.