Jennifer French has embraced a life full of adventure, having lived in seven different states during her 74 joyful years. She spent her kindergarten years in Geneva, Switzerland—though her French is admittedly a bit rusty. After a 35-year career in college administration, French transitioned to working with various assisted living and retirement facilities in Colorado, later becoming a certified Long-Term Care Ombudsman in Oregon.

In 2005, she and her spouse co-founded the Backstreet Gallery & Artist Co-op in Florence, Oregon, where it continues to run smoothly, bursting with vibrant energy and colors. It was during this time that French discovered her love for multi-media art, focusing primarily on watercolors, acrylics, and a deep passion for cartooning. She often shares her whimsical creations through her Gull’s First Impression© greeting cards.

In addition to her artistic endeavors, French has taught art at the Boys & Girls Club and various retirement communities. She's also been a dedicated volunteer for her town’s Public Art Committee, a patient advocate for PeaceHealth/Peace Harbor Hospital, and an active board member for Siuslaw Outreach Services, which supports victims of domestic and sexual violence and homelessness.
 

As an author, French has published two young adult novels. Hoot Owl Shares the Dawn won an honorable mention at the Independent Publishers Awards in 2005. She also shared her book FIDGETS with a special education class, where her reading sparked smiles and engagement from students with ADHD.

Outside of her professional life, French is a passionate cook of both gourmet and comfort foods, a dedicated gardener (primarily herbs), and a loyal follower of Oregon Ducks sports. She’s a proud Rotarian with a strong sense of integrity, and though more spiritual than religious, she attends her local Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, which embraces inclusivity and UN-conditional love.