At the end of a dead-end road in rural Hancock County, creativity unfolds in an unexpected yet aptly named setting — an open art studio called MONGallery, run by artist and entrepreneur Jennifer Sowders.
MON, short for “middle of nowhere,” not only reflects the gallery’s remote location but also embodies Sowders’ unique approach to art and business.
Sowders, a 1994 graduate of the Columbus College of Art and Design, first recognized her ability to draw live models when she was in middle school.
Jennifer Sowders began live painting at electric lineworker trade shows where she was a vendor as a way to pass the time.
“Drawing was one thing, but adding a medium and learning to master that is a whole other world,” she says. “Art school definitely helped with that aspect, and today I call myself a painter.”
In 2017, she rekindled her passion through a plein air painting group with the Hancock Park District. She immersed herself in painting landscapes, experimenting with acrylics, palette knives, and vibrant watercolor on Yupo paper.
While her art studio provided a creative outlet, her entrepreneurial spirit led her in 2021 to launch Prime Fleet Dielectric Services, a niche company that inspects and tests equipment used by electrical lineworkers. While the venture gave her the financial means to pursue her artistic ambitions, it also gave her an unexpected — and rewarding — new artistic muse.
She was working as a vendor at a trade show for electric lineworkers, and she found herself looking for a way to pass the time. “When the lineworkers are in class, it gets a little boring,” she says. “I wanted to do something valuable at the event.”
She struck upon the idea of live painting at the event. Leveraging her connections with Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative, where she’s a member, she asked for a volunteer model. Ryan Stallings, one of HWEC’s linemen at the time, stepped up, and she created three paintings of Stallings in action.
“His crew teased him a little at first, but once they saw what I was able to produce, they thought it was really cool,” Sowders says.
Her live-painting sessions quickly became a hit at trade shows, often drawing attendees back to her booth to watch her progress. Those sessions not only showcased her talent but also forged deeper connections between her business and the lineworker community.
Sowders’ favorite lineman painting is part of the Ohio Watercolor Society’s travel exhibition for the month of April — the last location of which is the Piqua Public Library.
Beyond trade shows, Sowders’ artwork has reached prestigious juried exhibitions and even outer space. Her award-winning acrylic landscape, Brecksville Ridge, was included in the Lunar Codex Polaris Collection, a time capsule sent to the moon as part of a NASA-related mission.
“It’s surreal to think my art is on the moon,” she says. “It feels good to not be a ‘one-hit wonder.’”
Her accolades include the grand prize in International Artist magazine’s landscape challenge and second place in Artists magazine’s 40th annual landscape division. Additionally, two of her portraits were acquired by the Ohio Arts Council for their collection.
Sowders’ landscapes, influenced by her connection to nature, invite viewers to step into the scene.
“What you surround yourself with becomes evident,” she says. “Every day my eyes are processing nature, and it makes me a better painter.”
For Sowders, art is more than a pastime — it’s a way of documenting life, fostering connections, and rejuvenating the spirit.
“Going hiking at a park blesses us with a feeling of being recharged,” she says. “I hope my acrylic landscapes can offer that same sense of escape, even if just for a little while.”
As she looks to the future, Sowders remains dedicated to both her portrait and landscape series.
“I never get bored or fall into a rut,” she says. “I’m just happy to let my art speak for itself.”
With her work displayed in galleries, competitions, and even on the moon, Sowders proves that creativity knows no boundaries — even in the middle of nowhere.
