Jacquelyn Peterlin, known as Jacqs, is a self-taught freehand painter born in Chicago and now based in Phoenix. Her journey began on her bedroom floor, guided only by curiosity and instinct forever evolving. As Jack White said, “Great things start in little rooms,” and that truth has shaped every stage of her creative life.

 

What started as a raw outlet for expression and escape grew into a wide and emotionally driven body of work. Her style has moved through surrealism, abstract expressionism, linework, and urban-inspired pieces, each one connected to a different chapter of her personal story. She draws inspiration from music, film, and the imagery of her dreams, letting each piece unfold intuitively. Bold colors, strong black outlines, and spontaneous freehand movement make up her signature visual language. Her process is instinctive rather than structured, guided by emotion and rhythm. Because of that, her work feels intense, personal, and honest while still being simple and inviting.

 

At the center of her practice is the belief that art reflects the people we choose to keep in our lives. Her guiding sentiment is this: “I choose my wine like I choose my people. Dry, bitter, with undertones of natural sweetness that fills you with warmth.”
Her work holds that same mix of grit and softness, honesty and comfort, encouraging people to find depth and warmth even in minimal forms.