Born & raised in Michigan City, Indiana, Jennifer graduated from Ball State University, Muncie Indiana with a Bachelor in Art Education & Painting. From 1970-1975, Jennifer served as Marketing Director & Officer of Elgin National Bank in Chicago, IL and Golden State Sanwa Bank in Los Angeles, CA. In 1980, Jennifer moved to Sumner County (Hendersonville, TN) and served as President of the Hendersonville Artist Guild from 1983-1985.

Since then, she has taught Adult & Children’s art classes at Watkins Art Institute in Nashville, owned and operated Simpkins Art Studio with 6 teachers on staff serving 100 students. From 1986 to the present…she has become recognized as a National portrait artist represented by Portrait Brokers of America, Inc., and has painted over 500 portraits in oil and watercolor. She also teaches oil painting classes to adults and conducts painting workshops. Jennifer is still a resident of Sumner County, Gallatin, TN.