Artist Statement

Having grown up in small towns in rural areas, Jessica developed an appreciation and sentimentality for antiquated structures and their enduring craftsmanship. Everywhere are the relics of functional, yet aesthetic designs from our histories, testaments to how we’ve cultivated a culture from our surrounding landscape. Now that she lives in Montana, she found inspiration in Western cultural themes and iconic objects, as well as the region’s native flora and fauna.

 Rendering surface textures is often an integral part of her work. The clean, simple nature of watercolor, as it allows me the control desired for crisply painted, textural details found in my subjects, whether it’s aged leather cowboy boots, or the foliage of a Rocky Mountain wildflower.

 Recently Jessica has been combining her love of Montana history with painting, using antique paper ephemera foraged from antique stores and estate sales, to create contemporary works celebrating nostalgia and the inspiring characters in our lives, past and present.

Her work, focuses not only on the unique physical attributes of the subject matter, but also what story they have to tell. I want encounters with my paintings to inspire a closer look, a moment of private study and appreciation for thoughtfully crafted areas of detail. Viewers will hopefully share in the sense of discovery that inspires Jessicajourney through this world.

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