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Rediscovering Creativity with Jennifer Rife: From Lamar to Flow
- Dr. Eulanda Sanders
- Aug 14
- 4 min read
At iNNOVATION Insights…We transform our clients' career journeys through the art of storytelling via our consulting, coaching, and career management services.
It was such a delight to interview Jennifer Rife for the iNNOVATION Insights Podcast. Our conversation was not only inspiring but also deeply personal for me. I have known Jennifer for close to 50 years. Growing up in Lamar, Colorado, I remember her as one of my swim coaches, someone my family admired greatly.
My parents often spoke so highly of Jennifer and her future husband, and as a child, I was always in awe of them. I knew her when she was still in high school, and then our paths went separate ways for many years.
We reconnected in the early 2000s when we both had fiber art exhibited in the same show. That was the first time I saw her name pop up again, and I felt a wonderful sense of reconnection. Later, through the magic of social media, we found each other again, and I have followed her artistic journey ever since. Watching her installations and fiber work from afar, I felt compelled to invite her onto the podcast. What a joy it was to sit down and share her story with our listeners.
The Creative Roots of a Lifelong Artist
Jennifer’s journey began in Lawrence, Kansas, but much of her formative years were spent in Lamar, where her parents nurtured her creativity. She shared with me how her father built elaborate swing sets out of welded steel and how her mother could sew garments without a pattern, even crafting a Barbie house from moving boxes and Nestlé’s Quick cans. Creativity was woven into her daily life from the beginning.
By high school, Jennifer was determined to pursue art, convincing her teacher to let her take multiple art classes through an independent study. She later studied at the University of Kansas, where she earned a BFA in ceramics. What I loved hearing was how she described herself as a “maker” from childhood, always gravitating toward mud, clay, and fabric—anything that allowed her to create with her hands—and that she came from a family of makers.
Flow and the “Middle of Nowhere”
One of the most potent parts of our conversation was Jennifer’s description of flow. She calls herself a “flow junkie.” For her, flow is that immersive, creative state where time disappears, and the outside world fades away. She described it as being fully absorbed in solving creative problems, sometimes out in the land with nothing but her handmade objects and a camera.
Jennifer often seeks out what she calls “the middle of nowhere.” Growing up in southeast Colorado, she remembers vast stretches of land where one could drive for miles without seeing another soul. While some people view that emptiness as nothingness, Jennifer sees “a whole lot of something.” Bones bleached by the sun, dramatic skies, distant thunderstorms, and traces of sacred ground—these inspire her installations. She installs handmade objects into these landscapes, photographs them, and later reflects on what the land gave back to her in the process.
Art That Asks Questions
What I admire most about Jennifer’s work is that it does not provide easy answers. She told me she wants viewers to be “a little bit confused” when they see her photographs. She hopes they ask questions: Why is this here? What does it mean? She does not believe art always needs to offer a definitive interpretation. Instead, she invites others to bring their memories and experiences to the work.
In fact, during a presentation to students, one teacher remarked that her installation reminded him of insects—something she had not seen in it at all. But that is the beauty of her work: it opens doors for others to bring their meaning.
Lessons for Emerging Artists
Our conversation also turned to advice for emerging artists. Jennifer shared that it is essential to “go there” when an idea feels out of reach. Be bold, leap, and try—even if it fails. She reminded me of her friend’s mantra: the answer is always no until you ask. For Jennifer, some ideas take years to ripen, but that does not mean they are wasted. Sometimes it takes a decade or more before an early thought evolves into its correct form.
She also emphasized the value of day jobs. While many artists may feel that having outside work diminishes their artistic credibility, Jennifer pointed out that her role coordinating exhibitions and designing graphics at a library enriched her creative life. It relieved the financial burden and gave her the freedom to create work that was not bound by market pressures.
Becoming a “Flow Junkie”
Toward the end of our conversation, Jennifer joked about starting a “cult of flow junkies.” But the truth is, she is onto something. In a world that is fast-paced and productivity-driven, permitting ourselves to lose track of time, to be bored, and to create without an agenda simply feels radical. Jennifer reminds us that flow is accessible if we allow ourselves the space to wander, play, and be curious.
Reconnecting with Jennifer after all these years has been a gift and has personally reminded me of the importance of rediscovering my creativity. She is an artist who embodies innovation, not through flashy technology or grand claims, but through a deep commitment to curiosity, land, and flow. For me, the conversation was both nostalgic and forward-looking.
I left inspired not only by her art but also by the reminder that our creative journeys are rarely linear—they are winding, full of rediscoveries, and always ripe with possibility.
Keep innovating!
Eulanda
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