Jodie Ahern has been an artist “since I could hold a crayon,” she says. Today her tool of choice is a paintbrush, and she’s using it to create art in the comfort of her new home studio.
After growing up in northern Massachusetts, Ahern went on to study at Connecticut College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in studio art. She then pursued a career in journalism after spending summers working for a local newspaper. When Ahern moved to Minneapolis, she became managing editor of Minnesota Monthly, then senior editor at Arts magazine for the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
“It was an opportunity that allowed me to combine my background in journalism and art,” Ahern says. “Being around all the beautiful art inspired me to take my art seriously again.”
Ahern says it was during this time that she began building up her art portfolio. Taking inspiration from the scenery surrounding her, Ahern has painted many abstract landscapes of Minnesota, Florida and Mexico. She captures everything from light reflections on the ocean to birds running through the sand to colorful, abstract lines that take up the entire canvas.
After months of construction, Ahern moved her workspace from ACVR Studio in Saint Paul to the home she shares with her husband, writer Larry Millett. “We have a large family, but all our kids have grown; Larry and I decided to take this opportunity and build a big studio at home,” she says. The construction combined two rooms to create Ahern’s studio, while giving Millett the upstairs spare bedroom for his writing.
“It’s great because we can work from the comfort of our home,” Ahern says. Working in close proximity to her husband also gives Ahern the opportunity to use her journalism skills every now and then. “I often help Larry with proofreading and writing,” Ahern says. She has also provided cover illustrations for many of his publications.
To see Ahern’s work, you don’t have to look very far. She’s been involved in the Saint Paul Art Crawl for the past 15 years. She says she’s also displayed her works at places such as UBS Financial Plaza in downtown Saint Paul, the Minnesota State Fair and the Show Gallery in Lowertown. Her work is also in private collections, as she paints on commission.
