Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Portrait of Jessica 2020
Get ready to be inspired! I’ve been following Jessica on Instagram for a good hot minute. She’s both pulled on my heart strings and lit a fire under my ass with her posts, therefore making her one of my favorite artists to find inspiration. And, obviously, I’m not the only one. Vogue Japan is one of her clients, as well as Jimmy Choo and Louis Vuitton. She’s also collabed with Chanel, but no big deal. Her paintings are chic AF, my sweet friends. There’s a realness to her pieces. She’s not just painting clothing, she’s painting the woman who’s wearing the clothing. Let’s learn more…
What’s your first memory of art making?
I was around 3 or 4. I would go to my room, shut my door, plop on the floor with my paper and draw flowers, trees, and girls. Still my favorite subject and passion all these years later.
The Muse, Jessica Durrant
How did you find the medium you currently work in? Do you ever switch it up?
I was trained in oils and acrylics on canvas in college. But it wasn't until a few years later, after graduating and not working on my art for 2 years that I got back into creating. I self-taught watercolors to myself and I felt like I was discovering a new planet. It is that type of curiosity that I am always in search of in the creative process. For many years, I was using inks, watercolors and lots of drawing mixed in. Now I'm gravitating to thick, textured impasto style paintings using gouaches and acrylics. I'm even dabbling in abstracts for the first time in my life. I really think it's important to continue to push yourself as an artist.
“You don't have to be a one trick pony in this business. You are allowed to create as much as you want, and fail and succeed at it all. It's the process that I am in love with. Not always the end result.”
How do you feel about artists working in more mediums than one? Do you think it’s better for
artists to stick with one medium?
“I think the answer is simple: Artists are born to break rules.”
It's society that wants to keep us in one medium and in one box. Artists need to be encouraged to never stop learning, growing and experimenting. If you plan on being an artist, know that it's okay to go through different periods. Because you are human. Your art should be inspired by your life and all the craziness we go through in it. Never stop having fun with it.
Midnight Trench, Jessica Durrant
Do you have a degree in art or are you self-taught? If you received a degree in art, did you go
straight into art making full time or was it a different journey? When was the “a-ha!” moment
where you decided to take on art as a career?
Good questions. I think all artist's are self-taught. You probably were drawing and making things before you went to class or school for it. It's the formal training that allows you to learn from the masters and apply a bit more discipline and work ethic to your dreams.
I got my degree from Southern Utah University in illustration with an emphasis in painting/drawing. When I finished college, I was burnt out and too scared to pursue my dreams. I figured I could work in art museums for a while just to have a steady job and be surrounded by art daily. It wasn't until I went on my 1st trip outside the US, to Italy, I came home and knew I needed to create.
“I had to stop denying myself that gift of going for my dreams full force.”
I had to remind myself that I had a big heart, and my art had always saved my life. So if I put that love and passion into it, I knew it would be hard, but I knew ultimately I would succeed. The trip to Italy was my a-ha moment of knowing I needed to create again.
“Since then, I have thousands of a-ha moments, but I think the most important one you can ever have is to know within your soul that you are born to create, and no one can take that away from you.”
Out of Shadows, Jessica Durrant
Tell me your “I am an artist” story!
I have so many. It's hard to narrow it down. But from an early age, I think seeing how my art allowed me to open doors that I otherwise might not have had was such a powerful feeling. I was an awkward, chubby kid in middle school as we moved around the country constantly. I was bullied here and there. It was a tough time for me. But I would sit at my desk, start drawing, and kids would come up to me in awe. And I made friends through it. It allowed me to feel like this gift I was given had multiple layers to what it could bring into my life. And that principle has continued to be a part of my story. The biggest brands in the world, including luxury, have all come to me because I sit and draw everyday, and I try to share it with others and make people happy with it. It has always brought me joy. Now it's my duty to bring joy to others and help them pursue their dreams.
Trees as Veins, Jessica Durrant
Tell me about your creative space! Do you have an in-home studio or do you rent a space? Do
you prefer one over the other if you’ve experienced both types of spaces? Is your studio messy
or organized?
I love working from home because I never know when I will feel inspired or ready to work on a big deadline. I think since I have always created in my home as a kid, having a space dedicated to it allows me to feel in touch with my artist child self. I have large windows that I let the light in, tons of art books, and I try to keep it as organized as possible. I'm not really a messy painter, and I try to make my space have as many good vibes as possible.
Do you work on multiple pieces at once?
I do. I think if I only work on one piece, I overthink it. And the mediums I use often lead me to work on 2-3 pieces at one studio sitting.
What are you currently working on?
I am taking my paint palettes and scanning them and repurposing them and collaging them. It's pretty fun!
Dark Meets Light, Jessica Durrant
What inspires your work?
Everything. Music, movies, nature, fashion, my emotions.
How do you balance real life and art making? Do you schedule your creative time? Do you
create everyday?
Because I have been doing this professionally now for about a decade, I do have a routine to how I work. I usually paint most in the afternoons. Mornings I am doing logistical stuff, and attending to emails, scheduling and planning out what needs to revised for clients, deadlines, etc.
“I try to have a solid block of 3-4 hours in the afternoon that I create with my hands.”
How do you feel about social media in the art world?
Social media is a powerful tool to share and connect with others. It can be used for GOOD and it takes a lot of self-discipline to use it for that. I have boundaries for how I use mine, and it's all very intentional. I put my phone away mostly at night, and use my phone for social media during the day to post here and there about what I am excited about, and try to be a force for positivity. I work hard not to compare my art to others and stay in my line. Focusing on what good I have in my life always is the key to feeling better.
What message do you hope comes across through your artwork?
“That we are allowed to create. We are worthy to create. That we need to silence those negative voices and use art for the good it can do for us. I am a better person because I take that time to create. And it's my gift to help you feel inspired to create.”
Black White and Chic All Over, Jessica Durrant
You can follow Jessica on Instagram @jessillustrator and check out her website here. She’s having a ginormous celebration sale for closing her Etsy shop on November 27th - December 4th. Set your reminder! She’s also currently collaborating with Spanx for 2021. #BossBabe