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BIOGRAPHY

Jessicas first book, a youth survival manual, was published and she set up a studio for her wildlife drawings in the 1980s. Commissions followed for visual displays which included life size models, major art pieces, sets, props and costumes for youth theatre and calendar illustrations.

Born in Sydney, Australia in the 1950s, Jessica showed artistic promise from the earliest years. She was highly commended in her first major exhibition in the 1970s but spent her working life writing for community and government. She held her 'Figures and Faith' solo exhibition in the Fitzroy Gallery in 2007.

Jessica has been trained in traditional illustration skills and recently updated her computer skills for publishing. Her current interests are combining her writing and visual art in web and paper based publishing for children and adults. She has a newsletter in Celtic heritage.

Jessica lives with her family in the hills behind Queensland's famous Gold Coast beaches and also visits Melbourne for assignments and exhibitions.

PROFESSIONAL LIFE

Arts practise

Own studios
1985 to 2010 in Lismore, Canberra, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Melbourne
2002-2010 Registered Business: self publishing, illustrating and writing

• 2009/10 Development of Spirit of the Seasons Astrological Diaries
• 2009 Art Box paintings for Gold Coast City Council
• 2008    Commission paintings of Brighton Beach
  
• 2008    Development “Where the Glowworms Live’
  
• 2007    Online portfolio website launched
  
• 2006/2007      various briefs for Illustration projects
  
• 2006    Celtic Spirit of the Seasons - 8 Art Nouveau style paintings for use on commercial products - diary/calendar, cards, online newsletter and prints
  
• 1999-2002 Digital images, newsletter, text for generate.qld.gov.au government youth website
  
• 1987 Included in Lismore Artists Directory
  
• 1984-1987 Artistic Director for Lismore Theatre Club and Youth Troupe (sets, props, costume)
  
• 1982-1985 Taught art, craft and drama with Rainbow Youth Theatre
  
  

Market stalls

• 2008    'Where the Glowworms Live' wall posters, Melbourne
  
• 2003    Line drawing Rainforest Poster
• 2003    Celtic Astrology booklet self published
• 2001    craft and animal giftcards and posters, Hall (near Canberra)
  
• 1986-1987 craft items, Channon (near Lismore)
• 1975    mobiles, posters, cards, badges and bookmarks, Deloraine, Tasmania

From 1987 to 2002 Australian Public Service as Policy and Project Officer for Arts, Heritage, Employment, Education, Social Security and eight years in Youth Affairs to 2002.

ARTIST STATEMENT
I am truly priveledged in my life in the Valley as I experience wildlife up close and personal.  I'm in awe of natural beauty and challenge myself with a variety of mediums to capture a sense of what I feel about life here.  I trust Beauty to speak for herself in my work.  I have access to all drawing and painting mediums in my 'toolkit' (including computers) so I match the image to the materials, supports and medium best suited to transcending language.

I'm also interested in cultural heritage - what it means to be human. My current interests are in four themes and I usually render them in realistic style:

• Figures and Faith (broadly interpreted to include the mundane and Celtic Faith);
• Bluecap Wildlife Series (wildlife broadly interpreted):
• Text and Type (exploring calligraphy, hand-rendered and psychedelic text) and
• Celtic Myth (Spirit of the Seasons, gods/goddesses).

There is so much Beauty in Australian life that I never have trouble looking for ideas and inspiration. I use my experience and talents as artist and writer to celebrate that Beauty through various techniques- traditional and cutting edge.

MEMBERSHIPS

• Illustrators Australia Inc.
• Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators
• Australian Society of Authors
• Royal Queensland Arts Society (Gold Coast)

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2007 Diploma Visual Arts (Illustration)
• 2005 Certificate IV Small Business Management
• Certificate Workplace Assessment & Training
• 1994 Bachelor Applied Science (Cultural Heritage Management)
• 1982 Diploma Teaching (specialising in Visual Art and Drama)
• 1978 Diploma Natural Medicine and Nutrition

EXHIBITIONS and COMPETITIONS

• 2008 International Year of the Frog Art Show, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
• 2008 Tweed Naturally Art Awards, Murwillumbah NSW
• 2008 Wizard Magic Pens group show, Melbourne
• 2008 Open Studio group show, Northcote, Melbourne
• 2007 Major solo exhibition, ‘Figures and Faith’, Fitzroy Gallery, Melbourne
• 2007 Illustre graduating student exhibition, Chapel off Chapel gallery, Prahran, Victoria
• 2006 Entree group exhibition, Per Square Metre, Collingwood, Victoria
  2006 Border Art Prize, Tweed Art Gallery, Murwillumbah
  2006 Bologna Children’s Book Illustration entry, Italy
• 2003/2004 Royal Queensland Arts Society, Gold Coast Art Gallery
• 1982 Lismore Show, New South Wales
• 1982 Lismore Art Gallery, New South Wales
• 1978 Lismore Womens Art Exhibition
• 1977 Ballina Southern Cross Art Exhibition, New South Wales
• 1972 Brunswick Heads Carnival, New South Wales
• 1969 Highly Commended in David Jones Exhibition, Sydney, New South Wales

VISUAL DISPLAYS, THEATRE AND GRAPHICS PUBLISHING

• 2010 Spirit of the Seasons astrological diaries
• 2007 CD cover for children's poems and songs, Fizz Whiz.
• 2006 Spirit of the Seasons, diary, newsletter, promotional products
• 2004 Book for Wedding and Naming Ceremonies - photos and text of proceedings
• 2003/4 Artwork to complement Astrological Calendar and Moon Planting Guide
• 2001 Booth design, text, images for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
• 2000 Logo, prepress for Solar 2000 Conference Book for ANZ Solar Energy Society
• 1999/2001 Digital images and text for Generate Website, online newsletter and Internal website Office of Youth Affairs
• 1990/92 Photos, text, and graphics for Canberra Show display
• 1990/92 Site documentation of heritage sites:
  Haig Park, Kingston Powerhouse, Griffith and Braddon Residential housing groups, rural properties of Environa, Gudgenby homestead, Mistley cottage for ACT Heritage Unit
• 1984/5 Text, flyers, brochures, badges, posters, signage, photos, graphics. Visual display with 4 lifesize models of women and children for Lismore Women's Resource Centre - regional agricultural shows, TAFE Career Display and official launch displays
• 1983/4 Text, photos, visuals and photoshoot for Water Safety Display with young people at the Lismore Shopping Center for NSW Sport and Recreation
• 1983 Camera ready text and graphics for Youth Survival Manual for Lismore Youth Services
• 1982/3 Props, costumes, scenery, promotions for Rainbow Youth Theatre school term and holiday workshops, traveling shows
• 1983/5Artistic Director for "Rumplestiltskin," Set Painter for "Little Women" & others for Lismore Theatre Club
• 1982 "How to Print" diagrams for Handbook on printmaking
• 1968 Poster, badges, newsletter, signs, leaflet brochure FOCO nightclub Brisbane
  

RETAIL SALES

• 2010 Spirit of the Seasons Diaries - Astrological, Celtic Goddess, Moongarden and Moondance diaries
• 2008 'Where the Glowworms Live' wall poster
• 2004 "Spirit of the Seasons" Products -diary, giclee prints, posters and prints
• 2003 Celtic Astrology booklet  - self published
• 1988/90 Stationery lines, gift cards, Rainforest Poster(line drawing), lesson plans for classes
• 1986/88 Anthara Studios, Canberra
• 1975/78 Health food products, takeaways art/craft Brunswick Health Food Shop, Brunswick Heads New South Wales
• 1975 Herbal Gift Lines Pennyfarthing Herbal Crafts Tweed Valley Northern New South Wales
• 1975 Craft gifts market stall Deloraine Markets Tasmania
  

What is it that gives me courage? that encourages me to work harder? to live life to the fullest? What is it that provides my soul's inspiration?click here