Issue 1 Artist Spotlight | Jessica Fraser
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Jessica!
JF: Hi! I am Jessica Fraser, painter and creator of Baby Jess Art. Currently, I am also a manager at a French Bistro but striving to do art full time by the end of the year. One of my favorite things to do in my spare time is cooking. I love reading cookbooks and food based magazines to get inspiration and create fun new meals! I am a terrible baker. I also love to read, travel, listen to music, go the Denver Botanical Gardens, watch movies and hang out with my family and friends. I am very inspired by the sky, particularly at sunset or late night, the moon, nature, vibrant colors and light. Something people may not know about me is sometimes I cry when I paint.
C+B: What is one quote that inspires you or informs your work?
JF: "For my part I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream." This is a quote from Vincent Van Gogh and his words I relate to immensely. I too can feel uncertain about life and what it all means but the sky and stars give me a sense of something bigger than me and they truly make me dream. I strive to capture this in my work and it gives me great comfort to recreate and hold on to this feeling during my artistic process and in the final piece. I have always admired Van Gogh, especially his writings. I read a book with his letters to his brother when I was younger and his words have stuck with me. I admired that he always kept painting, even though he did not sell much and the way he captured the world in his work with his dreamy and expressive strokes.
C+B: What other creative outlets do you enjoy or want to try?
JF: A creative outlet I want to try and currently looking into is some sort of sculpture. I am interested in learning clay and experimenting with making hanging/mobile type pieces.
Saw-Whet and The Desert Moon, 8” x 8,” acrylic on canvas
(Original artwork ©Jessica Fraser - Baby Jess Art)
Ideal creative retreat: My ideal creative retreat would be in some place immersed in nature and away from many people. A place where there are very dark skies to truly see the stars. I would love to spend more time in the desert such as in New Mexico or go across the world and explore the country sides of Japan. Where ever the retreat is located, I would love to learn the history, the art, and the techniques that originated from those parts of the world.
Currently inspired by: Annie Stegg Gerard @anniestegg, Ekaterina Popova @katerinaspopova, Vanessa Stockard @vanessastockard, Alexis Savopoulos @meadowandfawn, Ashley Longshore @ashleylongshoreart
Jessica Fraser of Baby Jess Art
