We couldn’t be more excited to have Jessie Strock as part of our inaugural Artist Spotlight. Her mixed water medium and encaustic works are a must-see.

 

ARTIST STATEMENT & BIOGRAPHY

I am from Hamilton, a small town in Northern Indiana. I have returned to my home town after twenty-seven years of living in South Carolina. My husband and I have three children and three grandsons. We own and work a vineyard where I am inspired to paint and create art. We enjoy travel and share a love of fossils and rocks. My paintings have appeared in juried shows and exhibits in South Carolina and Indiana. My artwork has also appeared in Pen and Palette SCBWI, Carolina.

 

 

WHEN DID YOU BEGIN MAKING ART?

I first became interested in art while in high school. I began entering juried shows in the 90’s while living in South Carolina.

 

WHAT DOES YOUR WORK AIM TO SAY?

I want people to enjoy looking at my work, walk away and then think of it again. My circle technique is a slow process and expresses various moods.

 

WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

All of my art instructors have influenced me, including Ales Pancner of Ft. Wayne. I never turn down the chance to visit galleries and I always come away with new inspiration. I love the work of Gustav Klimt, Claude Monet, and Roy Lichtenstein.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

At present our vineyard, lake, and woods.

 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF ARTWORK THAT YOU’VE CREATED?

My favorite piece is a batik painting I did of my grandson riding a carousel lion.

 

HOW DO YOU WORK? WHEN DO YOU FEEL MOST CREATIVE?

I attend an art class once a week, which gives me a sense of art community. I can be found in my studio almost daily. (When life doesn’t get in the way. ) I enjoy plein air painting. I then usually return to my studio or living room to complete my paintings with colored pencils, inks, watercolors and micro pens. I feel most creative in my art room. I turn on my CD player and the hours go by in what feels like minutes.

 


WHAT IS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT ARTIST TOOL? IS THERE SOMETHING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IN YOUR STUDIO?

A micro pen 005 is my favorite tool. I can’t work without a table light. My studio is in our basement and extra light is a necessity.

 

 

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN A WORK IS FINISHED?

As most of work is finished in circles it’s when the page is full. A piece just feels right when it’s complete.

 

 

WHAT’S YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT?

My most embarrassing  art moment happened in grade school art class. The art teacher was our next door neighbor. He stood two students on chairs and we were instructed to draw them. The girl was the tallest girl in the class. I drew her from the bottom of the page to the top with a head the size of a grape. I made her so tall there was no room for her head. The second student a boy, I drew only as tall as her waist with a head as big as a golf ball. I wanted to hide my picture when I was finished. It was at that moment I learned perspective. I still have two sculptures from my art teacher. One in my yard the other in my art room.

 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ARTIST JUST STARTING OUT?

Listen to criticism and accept critiques of your work. Use them as learning experiences. That said, above all in the end be yourself.

 

Thanks, Jessie! Come check out her art on display through October 14th. We are open Friday 5PM – 8PM, Saturday 4PM – 7PM, and Sunday 1PM – 4PM.

 

 

Interested in being in our Artist Spotlight? Send us your work!
We are looking for 2D and 3D artists to feature a selection of their work on a 3-month rotation.