Beloved Sonoma County-based artist Jennifer Mygatt Tatum’s show, Essence of Place, will be on view at the Watershed First Street Gallery all summer. Drop by and see us on Fridays and Saturdays from 11am and 4pm, with the exception of major holidays. We look forward to seeing you!

Artist Statement

Jennifer Mygatt Tatum is a Sonoma County-based visual artist whose work focuses on the insight and perspective gained through solitude in nature. She explores how time and texture can reveal inner wisdom. Her diverse practice spans sculpture, printmaking, painting, mosaics, and large-scale public art, using various materials such as wood, wire, clay, glass, and ink.

In recent years, Tatum has delved into Mokulito printmaking techniques, a process that begins by sourcing inspiration from the woods. Photographs are captured and referenced to create large-scale graphite drawings that represent the essence of being in the forest. These drawings are then interpreted onto wood using Mokulito techniques, carved, and printed into small series of up to four prints. The wood substrate is further enhanced with wood stain, oil paint, or acrylic paint, creating the final piece. Tatum's work reflects a balance of discipline and gesture, which fuels her creative process today.

Essence of Place

Jennifer Mygatt Tatum's artwork captures the wisdom and insight gained from moments of solitude in nature. Her work explores the transformative power of time and texture to reveal our innate inner wisdom.

Tatum is best known for her "Wandering Women" motif, which she interprets through various mediums such as metal, paint, print, and mosaic. Though the Wandering Women is a central theme, her work more broadly explores the human experience and the world that surrounds us.

Tatum allows the materials at hand to guide her creative process, using those that best express the ideas and emotions awakened during her time in the forest. Her work strikes a balance between discipline and gesture, which continues to fuel and evolve her artistic journey.

In June 2023, Jennifer Mygatt Tatum embarked on a self-driven, month-long artist retreat by the sea in Denmark. Immersed in the beauty of the neighboring forests and sea, she found solace and inspiration for a new collection titled "Essence of Place."

The unique interplay of sunlight and time in this new environment led her to create large water-soluble graphite pieces. This series captured the attention of both Saffron Communities and The Watershed First Street Gallery, who are now excited to share her captivating work with you.