If you’re familiar with the new Keke’s restaurant in Lake Nona, or any other Keke’s establishments, you’ve probably come across Jeni Santana’s work. On the walls of the restaurant are beautiful, eye-catching paintings of some of Keke’s breakfast and brunch favorites, painted with an artistic sense of attention to detail, almost like pop art. The attention to color, shape and scale could only have been achieved by an artist with a deep passion and dedication for their work, a framework for which Jeni Santana is the perfect fit. The process of having her work put up in Keke’s is what Jeni considers to be both her most challenging and most rewarding artistic pursuit.
It all started with an innocent breakfast trip to a Keke’s in 2009. Jeni pointed out the clip art being used on the walls of Keke’s and made the recommendation that the stores start using art done by real artists on the walls instead. Kevin Mahe, co-owner of Keke’s, took Jeni up on her suggestion, and after reviewing work from three different artists, they selected Jeni to be the one to create the pieces for the restaurant chain.
After reviewing a lot of different ideas and original paintings, as well as deliberation with Kevin and others at Keke’s, they settled on concepts that were “fun, bright and happy.” Jeni created some original 12×12 paintings that are housed in the corporate office and reprinted in a variety of different sizes for the Keke’s restaurants.
For someone as talented as Jeni, it’s hard to believe she wasn’t always as interested in art as she is now. Though she has memories of painting with family members on occasion, she didn’t take her first formal art class until college. After moving from Arkansas to Central Florida and falling in love with the area, Jeni began college, where her artistic nature began to come to light.
Although Jeni’s original interest was in interior design, the school she was attending did not have a formal interior design program. In order to continue being involved in the creative and design aspects she was interested in, Jeni ended up taking some art classes. It was in one art class in particular where she fell in love with the medium and switched her major to art, with a focus in graphic design.
Jeni taught elementary art for more than 10 years and has remained passionate about teaching and creating art even while balancing her art with raising her children and managing a family. When asked what she wants her work to mean to the community, Jeni noted that she wants to make “the insignificant seem significant.” No matter the size or scale of the object she’s painting, she wants the concept to be fun and light hearted. She states that she hopes never to create something that is too dark or unsettling. “There’s already enough dark and bad stuff in the world today” Jeni adds.
Down the line, Jeni hopes to construct a series dedicated to stained glass, as she finds glass to be one of the most fascinating areas of art and wants to pursue it more thoroughly.
Jeni is incredibly proud of her work in Keke’s. “If that’s what I am remembered for, then that’s fine by me,” she stated. Next time you’re in your local Lake Nona Keke’s or any other of the many Keke’s stores, make sure to check out Jeni’s work all around you while you enjoy your breakfast or brunch.
