Jennifer Semmens was born in Cornwall. She studied at Falmouth College of Art and Gloucestershire College of Arts and Technology in Cheltenham before returning to west Penwith in 1986 to paint professionally. She is known for semi-abstract compositions whose inspiration is derived from the industrial and mining sites of west Cornwall. She employs a palette of subtle, earthy colours on rough textured surfaces of her own making, creating the impression of archaeological finds.

Semmens has been a regular exhibitor at Penwith Gallery in St Ives and the Rainyday Gallery in Penzance. A wide range of west country exhibitions has been augmented by shows in London, Germany, France and the Netherlands. Her work is also included in the Truro School Collection and the George Dannatt Trust.