Jessica Strahan - November 2024
For November’s art highlight we would like to take time and shine light upon Jessica Strahan (@jhandpaints_ handpaints) a native New Orleanian and self taught painter.
Jessica says that being an artist has always been her vision as she states “I woke up like this” when asked. She recalls a time in elementary where kids would have a card that shows their name and a little bit about themselves. In the. “ intended vocation” section she had comedian and artist. So this something that has always been with her. She also knew that art would be the sole for her because “I don’t like people telling me what to do” in her words. She would work regular odd jobs until 2012, when she realized that the energy she put in someone else’s space would be more beneficial if applied to her own. Since then, she has worked solely on her own craft.
Jessica is inspired by life, her family, music, and the culture of New Orleans. It’s also the people and how their personalities bring out the colors she uses in her pieces. Living every day life in New Orleans has shown her many people and the feelings they bring. Those feelings are to tied to a color which she then use in her piece. In a series “You Are What You Eat” she uses local New Orleans cuisine like Camilla beans and Bunny bread to show how the city has inspired not only her work but how it is displayed. Eyes are also a prominent detail in her work as she says “the eyes are the windows to the soul”. Three very important points in her life that she holds dear are the births of her three children who are featured in her work as well. With accolades like best in show at Jazz Fest and the Ogden Museum, we only expect great things going forward.
She is working on having her solo show at some point, and also looking to collaborate with other artists/brands. She recently had her work shown in the Ocean Springs art festival, and will be at the Gumbo festival as well November 9th and 10th. She also has a soft opening for her studio in the works located in the Treme area. If you are looking to learn more about Jessica, you can check out her Instagram and send her a message for appointments.
