1. Johnny “Cash”, my French bulldog. My little shadow, Cash, is always by my side in the studio. He follows me everywhere, keeping me entertained with his huge personality and keeping me company during long painting sessions. Cash is usually curled up at my feet, snoring away, or watching me work with that sweet little face of his.
2. My first oil painting. I still have the very first oil painting I ever created, Sweet Tooth. I painted it when I was 16 during my sophomore year of high school. I was incredibly fortunate to have Raymond Knaub as my art teacher, a talented professional artist who also happened to be an inspiring high school educator. He created an “honors” art class, where he mentored just two students: me and Shay Davis. Shay and I pushed each other, grew together, and ultimately, both became professional artists. Decades later, we’re still best friends.
3. My “Everyday Easel”, designed by Shay Davis. Speaking of Shay, one of my most-used and most-loved studio tools is my “Everyday Easel,” designed by him. It features a magnetic face with adjustable magnetic attachments that securely grip the stretcher bars, allowing me to move the canvas effortlessly in any direction. This flexibility is a lifesaver, especially for the intricate hand-painted lettering I incorporate into my work. I can’t imagine working without it! 
4. The shelf wall of small works from artist friends. One of my favorite spots in my studio is my wall of small paintings from artist friends. Every piece has a story, and every one of them was traded—one of mine for one of theirs. It’s such a beautiful thing to surround myself with the work of people I admire, knowing that we’ve all exchanged pieces of ourselves through our art. Some of the paintings are from mentors who helped shape my path, and others are from artists who started out alongside me. I treasure all of them!
5. My “Artist Choice” award. Among all the ribbons and awards I’ve received over the years, the one that means the most to me is the Artist Choice award from the Greeley Stampede. What makes it so special is that it’s chosen by fellow artists—people who truly understand the long hours, the creative struggles and the self-doubt that come with this path. To have my peers, whose work I admire, in turn recognize and appreciate what I do is an incredible honor. It’s more than just an award, it’s a reminder that my work resonates with those who know this journey best.—

See more from the artist:  jenniferjohnsonstudio.com