Jeni Follman

Jeni Follman was born in Mill Valley, California, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. She later moved to Santa Monica, CA, where she attended SMASH, an alternative school near Venice Beach. At the age of eight, Jeni relocated to a small town outside Munich, Germany where she attended Munich International School. Immersed in an international learning environment, she was taught in German along with English as her primary language.

Growing up in Germany gave Follman unique access to master works from the classical world to modern art. For university, she returned to the United States, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in Liberal Studies and Studio Art from Sonoma State University. After graduation, Follman worked with the Peace Corps in Central Asia, in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, becoming familiar with the art and culture of ancient institutions like the Silk and Spice Road. After the Peace Corps, she returned to the States and now lives in Upstate New York. 

Follman states:

For me, every oil painting begins with curiosity. I start with a blank canvas, select a color, and let my intuition guide the development of the artwork, rather than adhering to a predetermined plan. I create Atmostpheric landscapes, flowers, and figures. The ever-changing contours of the earth often emerge as I build each piece through layers of color and texture. Painting is an act of exploration that invites me to let go, trust the process, and create new spaces. 

EXPERIENCE

Artist, upstate New York — 2021-present

Assistant to creative director, The Samarkand Retirement communities; Santa Barbara, California — 2008-2010 

Supervisor, Art section Barnes & Noble; Santa Barbara, California — 2005-2007 

Teacher, United States Peace Corps; Bukhara, Uzbekistan — 2003-2005 

Assistant Art Teacher, 3-1-3 Programs; Sonoma, California — 2001-2003 

Advertising Associate Student Representative, Sonoma State University; Sonoma, California — 2000-2001 

Project Scholars Tutor, United States Americorps; Sonoma, California — 1999-2001 

EDUCATION

Sonoma State University, Sonoma, California, BA in Studio Art, 1996-2003 Sonoma State University, Sonoma, California, BA in Liberal Studies, 1996-2003

SKILLS

A student and staff collaboration secured a prestigious $10,000 art grant, enabling the selection and creation of a permanent mural for the Charles Schultz-funded library at Sonoma State University.

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Fluent in German. Conversational in Spanish and Uzbek 

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS | 2026

Small Works Exhibit, Guest Artist - Spa Fine Art Gallery, Saratoga Springs, New York

Annual Members Exhibit - Saratoga Arts, Saratoga Springs, New York

Winter Members Exhibit - Marblehead Arts Association, Marblehead, Massachusetts

Small Works Exhibit - Bank Art Gallery, Newburgh, New York

Absolutely Exhibit - Willow Gallery, Troy, New York

Shifting Perspectives - Bank Art Gallery - Permanent Placement, Newburgh, New York

Art In Public Places | Mayor’s Office - Saratoga Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, New York

The Spirit of ’76 Exhibit - Marblehead Arts Association - Group Show, Marblehead, Massachusetts

10×10IN Exhibition - Saratoga Arts Center - Group Show, Saratoga Springs, New York

The Living Exhibition: In Motion - Bank Art Gallery - Permanent Placement, Newburgh, New York

Fences - The Arts Center of The Capital Region - Group Show, Troy, New York

April Exhibit 2026 - Glimpse Gallery - Group Show, Concord, New Hampshire

Between Light and Memory - Geary Gallery - Solo Show, Darien, Connecticut

MEMBER ARTIST | 2026

Marblehead Arts Association, Marblehead, Massachusetts -present