Just over 10 years ago Ian Christner was walking by an art display outside the Kiwanis Villa when he noted a number of striking paintings by local artist Jem, all for prices around $20.
Passersby were free to take one, leaving the cash behind in a small bucket.
“Then one day I saw her there and I said, ‘Your art is so folky, my wife and I just bought the Vienna Cafe, why don’t you bring some down?’ And that’s where it started,” he told the Star, describing the decade-long relationship he’s created with the artist.
“When customers ask us what her last name is I say she doesn’t have one — like Cher.”
Both Christner and his co-owner Jennifer Francouer have relished their ongoing partnership with Jem, who routinely shows up with paintings on recycled materials — sometimes she uses planks of wood, other times canvases, and every now and then a piece of cardboard.
And nothing costs more than about $30.
For Jem, art has become a driving life passion after raising two kids as a single mother in Vancouver. She was born in Rossland, grew up in China Creek, and moved to Nelson just over 10 years ago.
She paired up with Vienna shortly after arriving.
“The art began when I turned 54, and I thought, ‘What am I going to do when I retire?’ I knew I wasn’t going to just sit around. Something inside of me said draw, paint, and I said really? From there I picked up a couple of books and got going,” she said, noting that was 26 years ago.
“I started selling as soon as I started painting.”
Francouer said she can spot a Jem piece from a distance, now that she’s been watching them fly off her walls for years. She appreciates her tone, and her subtle use of colour.
“It’s all about using line and colour to create a feeling I want. In my painting of the woman ironing, I wanted the focus on her so I kept the background muted — while what she’s ironing is highlighted. I just love simplicity,” said Jem.
“These days I see art with all this stuff and I think way too busy, we should keep it simple. And my whole life is like that.”
Christner is always amazed by how her work resonates with his customers.
“People come in here to have a good breakfast, get some spätzle, they’re not here to buy art. Then they look at the price tag and go, ‘I’m buying that.’ Why wouldn’t you? I’ve got three in my house,” he said.
“I mentioned to her one day my son loves fishing, and I was wondering if she could make me a boy in a boat — so she did that, and it was a beautiful evening scene with golds and oranges. It fits so beautifully in my home.”
Interestingly, Vienna Cafe is located in the same room as Packrat Annie’s. That bookstore is named after its founder Anne DeGrace, who started ArtWalk — a concept that brings business owners and artists together to get Kootenay art into the world.
That’s a local tradition they’ve embraced.
“It’s fantastic, this is a dream come true,” said Francouer.
“I’ve always thought I’d have my own cafe at some point in my life, and to support a local artist was always part of the dream.”
Jem will always be grateful.
“Being able to put my art in here consistently gives me that motivation to keep on painting. Other places you might have to wait, they might not want you, but at Vienna they’ve been so great to me. God bless them.”