I loved art since I can remember. As a child, I loved to draw and started practicing calligraphy at 9 years old. I studied Fine Art (drawing, painting and sculpture) for three years in college and studied Graphic Design and Photography for two additional years. I graduated from State University of New York at Purchase College with a BFA in 1996.

I worked as a Graphic Designer/Junior Art Director at Atlantic Records in Manhattan from 1996 - 1999. I started off designing ads, cassettes and promotional singles ~  and over the years moved into designing cd packaging and managing and art directing photo-shoots. In 2000, I worked for Red Herring Design as a Senior Art Director also designing cd packaging and art directing and managing photo-shoots.

In 2001, I made a big decision to go freelance in order to take a year long yoga teacher training course and explore experiences one can not have while working a full-time job. I went to burningman numerous times. I lived at retreat centers. I was a full time volunteer for 6 months at Martin Deporres House of Hospitality in the Mission of San Francisco. I cooked for Food Not Bombs. I painted murals. I sat and served on Vippassana meditation retreats. I was a caretaker and yoga facilitator for a 19 year old wonder with Cerebral Palsy.

And on New Year’s Eve of 2010, I became a mom. I closed my last chapter of exploration and my new focus became my baby and building a home-based art & design business.

Beside Jen Barbato Design, I run Jen Barbato’s Vegan Kitchen, a website where I sell my cookbook and aprons, and share resources.