Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Vahlbruch.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Laupheim, a small town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Creativity was always a part of my life, but in 2001, I discovered photography – initially with a film camera – and it quickly became a passion. A few years later, in 2010, I found another outlet in acrylic painting. Both media became ways for me to connect with the world and with myself.
After moving to Kempten in Bavaria, I immersed myself in the dramatic beauty of the Alps. The wide-open landscapes inspired me to explore the emotional depth of nature through the lens. This period shaped the foundation of my photographic work, teaching me to see not just the obvious but also the subtle, often overlooked details in a scene.
My work began to gain attention through exhibitions across Germany and awards in landscape photography, affirming my creative voice. A turning point came in 2013 when I received a grant from the Hilde Frey Foundation, which encouraged me to take my work more seriously as a form of artistic expression – not just capturing beauty but communicating meaning. During this time, I also traveled extensively through Europe and the United States, which helped shape my eye for storytelling and added new dimensions to my visual language.
Later, I moved to Texas, and that shift in environment profoundly changed my focus. My photography began to extend into urban spaces, influenced by the visual contrasts and cultural nuances of American cities. It was during this time, while exploring Texas, that I started my ongoing conceptual series “The Hydrants”. That project marked a new phase in my work: more conceptual, more socially engaged, and more curious about the human experience mirrored in everyday objects.
Since 2021, I’ve found myself returning to painting – not as a replacement for photography, but as a balance. Painting allows me to be unplugged, tactile, and grounded. I needed to create something from scratch, away from screens, with my hands. The textures, the colors, the freedom to create something entirely new – all of it drives me.
Yet, photography and painting have never been separated for me. One inspires the other. Many of my paintings grow out of ideas or emotions sparked through the lens, and my photography often carries the emotional layering I explore in paint. This intersection is where my creative identity now lives – between the seen and the felt, the captured and the created.
My journey has never been linear, but each phase – film photography, alpine landscapes, urban storytelling, conceptual projects, and painting – has brought me closer to understanding my voice and purpose as an artist. It’s not just about making art, but about creating a space where others can see the world – and themselves – differently.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In some ways, yes – it’s been smooth in the sense that I absolutely love what I do and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. But the path itself has been full of challenges.
As a self-taught artist, I had to figure out a lot on my own – technically, creatively, and professionally. There was no formal guidance, just my curiosity and determination to grow and express myself authentically. That journey was incredibly rewarding, but also filled with moments of doubt.
Moving to the U.S. added another layer. I started over without a community, without word-of-mouth support, and no easy ways to connect – no kids in school, no local network. I had to build everything from scratch, from personal relationships to professional opportunities.
Another struggle is the pressure in the art world to fit into a box. I hear this from many artists – they feel stuck doing just one thing. But for me, being a multi-disciplinary artist is essential. My photography and painting speak to each other; they’re part of the same creative voice. I believe that the freedom to explore is where true expression happens.
So no, it hasn’t been easy – but it has been honest, fulfilling, and absolutely worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work as an artist is intentionally diverse – I don’t follow a uniform style. I photograph and paint, and I seek to connect both mediums in a way that allows them to speak to and enrich one another. I use a wide variety of techniques in both photography and painting to create art that tells a story, conveys a message, and evokes emotion.
One of my signature projects, “The Hydrants”, began as urban photography but has evolved into a series of abstract canvas works that are inspired by the colors and textures of the hydrants. These once-overlooked elements of everyday life are transformed into unique, symbolic artworks. The paintings interpret the emotional essence and visual language of the original images in a new, expressive form. Through this transformation, I invite viewers to discover new perspectives and meaning in ordinary things.
Precision, attention to detail, and high quality are essential in everything I create. I’m deeply inspired by the textures, forms, and beauty of the seemingly insignificant – like peeling paint, rust, or weathered surfaces – and I strive to elevate them through my work. My goal is to create a bridge between photography and painting, between documentation and interpretation.
I’m most proud when my art sparks thought, invites reflection, and inspires people to see the world differently. Art, for me, is about offering a new lens – one that opens minds and hearts.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck has certainly played a role in my journey, though I see it more as a companion than a driver.
I’ve experienced moments of unexpected good fortune – like stumbling upon a vivid hydrant in Miami that became the spark for my art project “The Hydrants”. Or maybe it was luck receiving the grant in Biberach for an art project, or the opportunity to collaborate with the city of Kempten for a major exhibition showcasing my panoramic works.
But I believe those moments of “luck” only mattered because I was prepared to notice them, embrace them, and act on them.
On the flip side, I’ve faced difficult circumstances too – situations that might be seen as bad luck. But even those have taught me resilience, helped shape my voice as an artist, and deepened the emotional layers of my work.
In the end, I think luck matters – but what matters more is how we respond to it. I try to stay open, curious, and committed to my vision, so that when luck shows up, I’m ready.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jennifervahlbruch.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifervahlbruchart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferVahlbruchArt/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifervahlbruch/
- Other: https://thehydrants.com/
Image Credits
Jennifer Vahlbruch
