Jenni Kostanski was injured and paralyzed in a car accident in 2003. Painting became a creative release in a very different way than it previously was. She finds in it a therapeutic element and it is rewarding. While at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) Jenni was in several therapy groups, beyond physical & occupational therapy. One of her favorite groups was hand therapy, where she was able to use her artistic background. The group dynamic was based on camaraderie & encouragement. Therapists, other group members & hospital staff were impressed and took notice of her work. Jenni soon realized that painting made the outlook on her future a bit brighter.

Jenni primarily paints abstracts, using acrylic. She majored in art at Northern Illinois University & Resurrection High School. Her work has been purchased at ArtFutura, through RIC.

Jenni started giving paintings to family members as gifts. Soon they then started commissioning paintings from her and she makes additional income this way.

As part of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, Jenni is a featured artist in the “Unbroken: Art After Injury” show at Next Door Café in Chicago.

Jenni Kostanski Website: www.paitingsbyjenni.ash.com