Scottsdale Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival
Featured Artist: Jennifer Rae Ochs
Featured Piece of Artwork: The Atmospheric Collection #14
Friday – Sunday
January 30 – February 1, 2026
10–5pm Daily
Produced by Thunderbird Artists
Scottsdale Waterfront • Scottsdale, AZ
There are moments in an entrepreneurial life when a single decision reroutes the entire trajectory of a journey. For me, one of those defining moments came when I stepped away from a successful professional career and the traditional gallery path, recognizing that relying on others would never build the future I envisioned. So, I invested my own resources, poured in the sweat equity, purchased the art vehicle, acquired the equipment for my mobile art gallery, self-funded every dollar of upstart cash flow, and leapt, heart first, into a full-time art career. Many questioned whether it was viable. The truth is, I had no idea what the heck I was doing. I only knew that the “right time” would never arrive neatly wrapped. The calling was undeniable. Time does not wait, so neither should we.
That first year on the road—2013—was extraordinarily bumpy. My mom traveled with me for the first few shows, and when we look back now, we can only laugh that we survived it. Art festivals demand everything, energy, resilience, stamina, unwavering belief… and that’s just the groundwork. The heart of it all is creating the artwork. With every piece being one-of-a-kind, the learning curve was steep, wild, and humbling. There were countless moments when I questioned my decision, when exhaustion whispered doubts into the quiet spaces. But just as I reached the point of no return, full surrender, something magnificent happened late December 2013.
As in all great redemption stories, there comes a catalyst, a collection of moments when things shift. Late December, an artist bestie suggested, “You should try the Thunderbird Artists show in January 2014, in Carefree, Arizona, if I make the call, are you in?” We reached out, and Thunderbird Artists graciously found a space for me in their upcoming event. I’ll never forget driving into Carefree for the first time, its beauty, its uniqueness. That January 2014 Thunderbird Artists show changed everything. It wasn’t just financially transformative; it was spiritually affirming. It marked the beginning of the most successful first quarter of my entire working life, a shift so significant that the previous 12 months fell silent in its wake, and ultimately, the beginning of my love affair with Thunderbird Artists.
Since that moment, Thunderbird Artists has remained a cherished partner and friend. They’ve even met my parents! Their professionalism, warmth, and genuine care have supported my journey in ways I will always carry with me. A family-run organization with decades of dedication, they have elevated fine art in Arizona and nurtured a vibrant creative community through events that truly honor artists, collectors, and visitors alike. Their winter shows welcome both locals and travelers seeking solace in the Arizona sun, people from across the country who arrive eager for fun, and ready to experience something meaningful. Because of Thunderbird Artists, countless JRO ART pieces now live throughout Arizona and across the country, discovered by people who came to Arizona seeking warmth, beauty, and inspiration.
It is an honor to be named the Featured Artist for the Scottsdale Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival. I look forward to sharing my one-of-a-kind paintings and debuting a new 48×72-inch Atmospheric Collection painting made to celebrate this exact moment. I will also showcase several signature collections. I can’t wait to meet art lovers, collectors, and visitors from across the country who bring their stories, curiosity, and energy to this extraordinary experience.
Thank you, Thunderbird Artists! Thank you, Arizona!
I love crossing our desert, mile after mile of shifting light and endless horizon, knowing I’m arriving to spend time with you. Arizona, and the extraordinary people who call this place home, seasonally or year-round, are a treasured part of this outrageous, exhilarating life of expression. You are woven into my journey, my gratitude, and my art. – JRO
A signature JRO ART Collection built through depth, contrast, and layered metallic expression, this 48 x 72-inch piece from The Atmospheric Collection embodies the balance of strength and softness, an invitation to engage with its emotional and sculptural presence. Rendered in a beautiful palette of desaturated earth tones, beiges, cremes, greys, whites, desaturated browns, muted copper, metallic bronzes, and touches of yellow oxide, it carries a quiet richness that anchors the work.
Created in celebration of this moment in time, it stands as a marker of clarity, presence, and artistry.
