Heart Fam Fam
By Jen Upchurch

What began as sketches on bar napkins, drawn in the wake of 9/11, the “Heart Fam Fam” is now a collection of characters brought to life in full color paintings with interesting names and extensive histories. Crafted in Georgia during the COVID-19 Lockdown, the paintings are the next phase in the ever expanding dreamscape of Upchurch, as she grows her pantheon of Heart Fam Fam members. Ms. Upchurch is so thankful to show her art in a setting like this, allowing others to see and interact with The Heart Fam Fam. Says Ms. Upchurch, “Thank you Anita for helping artists like me. Working with your team has been fantastic.” The Heart Fam Fam series brings together everything Upchurch has learned through her career, using a mixture of bright background colors with the black and white characters allowing them to feel as if they are coming off the canvas. Upchurch explains, “My goal is to bring more love, more joy, and more happiness to the world through art. I want you to feel comfortable and to feel that loving warmth covers you as you view the paintings. When you see the Heart Fam Fam characters, it helps me bring them to life with your love.”

About the Artist

Georgian born, Jen Upchurch, has been a working artist for over 20 years. Upchurch started her career in circus sideshows and has had her work shown throughout the country. She went to GA State University and moved to NYC after graduation. She worked on events such as Mermaid Parade, Coney Island USA, DECOM, NY Fringe Festival, Howl Festival, Action Arts League, NY Figment, and a member of Circle Arts. Upchurch has had 5 sculptures premiere on Governor’s Island, NYC for 4 years in a row. Her sculptures have been displayed from New York to Nevada to Georgia.  Her paintings have been shown in numerous art shows and also community centers from Brazil to Morocco. Besides painting and sculpting, she love to teach the arts as well.

For more information on Jen visit her website and follow them on Instagram.