Jen's
Artist Statement

Identity – Hope, Love & Compassion – Brain Science

Jen’s central theme is individual and group identity, including culture, class, language, religion, sexuality, beauty standards, work, and family. She is fascinated by how these categories can brutally tear us apart while at other times draw us together in deep devotion.

She is also intrigued by what happens when we LOSE our individual or group identity- for instance, when we are at a family dinner, look across the table and find we are among strangers. It’s an empty feeling to perceive those around you that you expect to be closest as hollow. Sometimes you might even wonder who they really are. And then, you might ask, “Who am I?”

Jen wants to learn how we can come back from loss, adversity and failure to build a NEW identity. She questions how does one dare to HOPE we might ever belong again. Jen believes that the only way home is through the transformational power of mercy and compassion- when we reach out and extend our hands in trust without fear of rebuke or admonishment. Then we may RISK that one day, we can finally be friends and whole again.

Jen is also obsessed with BRAIN science and how this vital organ and its varied conditions impacts mental health, addictions, and physical pain. 

Literary – “Tom and Phil”

Jen is currently writing a book that chronicles her father’s (Phil Yontz) short life as an identical twin from a small, rural, all-white town at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in South Eastern Ohio.

At the age of 18, on the way back to Ohio State University where he and his twin were studying as freshman, Phil experienced the violent and tragic death of his brother in a car crash that left four people dead and the community in tatters. Although Phil also suffered severe physical and emotional scars from “the accident” he never gave up hoping and searching for the best new life possible.

Jen travels to where her father was raised and learns how this event not only changed the trajectory of her father’s life, but also many in the community as well. While on this journey, Jen learns the true meaning of love, understanding and compassion for the father she is finally able to mourn.

Memoir – The Taste of a Mango

This is the memoir of Jen’s youth- from a young girl to 12 years old. She lived between two worlds, one at times of poverty in rural Ohio and the other of great privilege and wealth in Cali, Colombia. This is a memoir about growing up in a sometimes chaotic world due to alcoholism and poor mental health. Themes include, identity, loss, and the redemptive power of love. 

Early Life 

From birth, Jen bounced between her family’s farms in rural Ohio and her wealthy maternal grandparents in Cali, Colombia.

She is Spanish-speaking and bi-cultural.

Jen attended 13 schools by the time she graduated from high school, which created many complications for her as a young person. While academically inclined, she experienced severe difficulties with socialization in school and college. Some of these problems included bullying, authority issues with teachers and professors and questioning sexual norms. This led to heavy drinking as a young adult. These are all experiences she discusses in her writing.

Mid-Life

Jen married her high-school sweetheart soon after college and found being a wife and mother fulfilling but challenging. While spending long days on the road helping build up the family cleaning business into a multi-million dollar company, she also dealt with a difficult-to-raise son. He had undiagnosed bipolar disorder as a child that eventually morphed into schizophrenia in his late teens. He now lives with Jen and her husband and two fur-babies, Ruby and Finn, in Ft. Myers, Fl.

Late-Life

After many years of living a life that was not in tune with her true nature, Jen is finally looking forward to all the beautiful life experiences and fascinating people the world has to offer. She now document life’s beauty through her many creative and artistic endeavors.