Crouch End artist says her work captures 'everyday moments'

Jenna Waldren speaks to Hannah Bentley about the inspiration for her latest exhibition

A Crouch End artist is making a name for herself on the London art scene.

Jenna Waldren’s latest exhibition Figuring It Out at The Original Gallery in Hornsey Library, with fellow artist Rosie Phillips, showcases her distinctive artistic voice.

From childhood, Jenna’s love for art was evident. “My mum says that as a kid, I always wanted to draw and paint,” she recalls. That natural inclination led her to explore art more seriously at school, eventually leading her to Scotland in 2017 to complete a BA in painting at the Edinburgh College of Art.

The 25-year-old’s primary medium is oil painting on wooden panels, but drawing remains a crucial part of her process. She frequently works with ProMarker pens, known for their watercolour-like effect, alongside printmaking and portraiture in charcoal.

“My work captures everyday moments. I play with colours, distil imagery down, and balance the painterly with the graphic. There’s always a gravitation towards line—probably the A-level product designer in me.”

Painting is more than just a practice for Jenna—it’s an emotional necessity. “I get this warm, fuzzy feeling in my tummy, like a contentment. As a creative, you can sometimes doubt yourself and wonder if this is the right path. But when I get that feeling, I know this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Jenna with her dad Jason outside his business, Frameworks Gallery

As the daughter of Jason Waldren, business partner of Frameworks Gallery in Crouch End, Jenna has gained unique experience and insight into the importance of presentation. “Framing is like hairdressing. And it’s a thing of trust between the customer and framer because you have to help them visualise the final product.”

This perspective has influenced her artistic technique, as she paints the sides of each canvas to offer buyers more framing flexibility. “I’ve seen how messy artists have left the sides of a canvas and it can really limit framing options. I like giving that choice to my customers.”

A defining moment in her career came in 2024 when she was selected for ‘Portrait Artist of the Year’ on Sky Arts, after being scouted on social media. Encouraged by family and friends, she applied with a piece from her Isolation Series, a collection of ten paintings created during 10 days of Covid self-isolation in lockdown.

After an intense period of preparation—practicing four-hour timed paintings of diverse subjects—she made it to the semi-finals, painting historian Lucy Worsley. “It felt surreal. If 14-year-old me knew I’d be in the semi-finals of the show I wouldn’t have believed it. I’m so proud of it.”

Figuring It Out is a collaboration with fellow semi-finalist Rosie Phillips and is available to view at Hornsey Library until Saturday (15th). It displays the duo’s shared approach to figurative art and celebrates their time on the show.

Jenna’s work, mostly a collection of portraiture, juxtaposes quiet, reflective moods with glowing light and bold lines, inviting viewers to pause and sink into the scene.

To find out more about the exhibition and how to purchase Jenna’s work:
Visit jennawaldren.com

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