46 August-September 2019 / http://www.outdoorpainter.com
Afterhishonorabledischarge,Jensensought
a newcourse.“I triedto bea wetlandsurveyor,”
herecalls.“I gotto ridein a quadanddowetland
restorationprojects,butin thebackof mymind
therehasalwaysbeenthisburningdesireto seeif I
couldmakeit as anartist.”Hewentbackto school,
butJensenknewhewas“doomed”whenhetookhis
firstpaintingclass.“I knewI wouldgetobsessedwith
it,”saystheartist.“WhenI respondto lifewithcolors
onthepalette,it becomesme;it’salmosta spiritual
experience—veryhealingandnourishingformy
soul. I get glimpsesof whyI’msupposedto behere.
ArcataStreet
2019,oil,8 x 10in.
Collectionthe artist
Plein air
Rick TolleyPaintsHoudaBeach
2019,oil, 12 x 16in.
Collectiontheartist
Plein air