Jen Norton
Sacred Artist
CONNECT WITH JEN NORTON
Sacred Art LIVE! Artist 2024
I’ve been doing Sacred Art specifically for the last decade, but art in general for my entire life, including an earlier career as a graphic designer. Art has always been a form of emotional expression for me, but I never knew Catholic art—Sacred Art—was a thing one could do as a career choice.
I suppose like most people, my experience of Sacred Art was through classical paintings made in past centuries and church bulletin clip art. My personal sensibilities fall somewhere between those two standards! I also had inner resistance to ever expressing my beliefs or prayer life to anyone outside close family for fear of criticism.
The thing that “flipped the switch” for me was going through a few very difficult years in raising my daughter. In hear early teens, my ability to control, solve or direct her in any way was pushed to its limits…to limits where God had to take over because I was no longer qualified. There was over a year where I was unable to paint anything and, looking back now, I see that my heart changed from “how can I fix this before I look bad” to simply, “Help.” It was during this year that I turned in desperation to the rosary and clearly heard Mary say to me, “Let it be.” Even under the chaos, I experienced God’s peace that surpasses understanding. As we emerged from that time, I felt called to paint my “Hail Mary” piece…which opened up my entire world, both personal and career, to a much greater mission to encourage others through my art in their faith journey. I had been working so hard for very little, but Jesus redirected my net to the other side of the boat…and we all know what happens next in that story!
My prayer life is mostly the inspiration for my work. I am inspired by the stories of scripture and in how they are still just as alive today for me and for the world. Stories of light, hope, forgiveness and accompaniment. Once I am connected to something I want to paint, it becomes about the discipline of getting out to the studio and moving paint around enough until it clicks in a way that’s enjoyable to me. If I like it, others will too. If I don’t, I paint over it.
