JunkGirls Finds Beauty in the Broken
Jenny Kompolt and her partner Melissa James left the corporate world of steady paychecks and health insurance to pursue their passions in 2009. The two created JunkGirls, a brand built on creativity, art therapy and sustainability.
Kompolt’s idea for JunkGirls came from her experiences with art therapy, while for James, it grew from her love of handcrafted treasures.
“I was itching to take my talents that I learned in the years of corporate and use them to build something that was very meaningful for myself and others,” Kompolt said.
As a young girl, Kompolt escaped her tough childhood by playing in the creek behind her house. She found refuge and comfort while searching for little treasures hidden in the ground. When she grew older, Kompolt recognized a connection between the overlooked and discarded items, seeing value in what others often ignored.
Despite a successful corporate career as the Creative Director for Netflix and raising over $22 million for charity through her graphic design agency, Komplot struggled with all-consuming anxiety and depression. Recognizing the need for a solution, Kompolt found a therapist who introduced her to art therapy, a path towards healing that brought new purpose to her life.
“I can honestly say that it has filled such a huge hole in my life,” Kompolt said, reflecting on her healing journey.
Art therapy, which uses creative processes like painting or sculpture to help individuals express complex emotions that are difficult to articulate with words, became a key tool in Kompolt’s recovery.
While searching for a medium to explore, Kompolt was reminded of her childhood love for found objects, leading her to assemblage art. This form of sculpture repurposes everyday objects, transforming them into a cohesive work of art.
Kompolt found great joy in taking something that others might not consider art or beautiful and showcasing it in its raw form. She felt it allowed people to see things from a different perspective.
“There’s beauty in everything, no matter how damaged,” she said.
Kompolt’s art is rich with layers, which is why she’s drawn to older items with stories to tell. For Kompolt, there is a unique character and message woven into each piece of her artwork, waiting to be uncovered by those who make an effort to look deeper.
For James, it’s all about finding something you love and diving deep into that niche. Her favorite part of JunkGirls is creating personalized metal stamping, which allows her to connect with customers.
“Try to find that one thing that really makes your heart sing,” she offers to those interested in pursuing their passion projects.
The JunkGirls journey began in the couple’s garage, while they participated in local craft fairs and vintage shows. In December 2014, they opened their first storefront in Cambria. A few years later, in 2018, JunkGirls relocated to its current space in the historic Muzio building in downtown San Luis Obispo.
Known for Kompolt’s innovative art and Melissa’s metal stamping, JunkGirls has built a reputation for using recycled, repurposed and vintage materials.
“There is so much material out there that can be reused,” James said about their eco-friendly practices.
Komplot explained that transforming something from its original purpose into something new is a great way to embrace sustainability in art. Ultimately, it prevents waste from ending up in landfills while creating something beautiful.
After over 13 years of building JunkGirls, Kompolt and Melissa continue to explore ways to give back to their local community and share the power of art therapy through a new branch of their company: The Junk Girls’ Non-Profit. Its focus will be on mental health, working with both children and adults to promote creative expression and social-emotional growth.
“It’s a great joy to use what I’ve learned as a way to give back to others and inspire them to find their creative path,” Kompolt said. “Helping others continues to heal me.”
The act of creation has served as a vehicle for Kompolt to express her internal struggles and provide a cathartic release. For those struggling with depression or feeling numb from the pressures of academia, she offers valuable advice. She has learned that all forms of creative expression, such as writing or even dancing, are great ways to release emotions.
“It doesn’t matter what you do … even if you go to the beach and draw stick figures,” Kompolt said her therapist once taught her. She explained it’s all about being a coping mechanism, not a competition.
“No one has to see it,” Kompolt said. “Just do it for yourself.”
