Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Chapman.
Hi Jessica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a self-taught artist who has ironically become a professional fine artist, art teacher, muralist, and part-owner of a gallery in Laguna Beach.
I’ve loved drawing for as long as I can remember. In 6th grade, there was a specific bench that I would draw horses at during recess. I would sell my drawings to my classmates and even take special orders. (to this day, I still have old classmates messaging me on Instagram telling me they have one of my earliest horse drawings, haha!!).
My dad would take me to the Art Supply Warehouse in Westminster often, where he would buy me various art mediums to try out. As I got older, I would venture there on my own and ask the employees hundreds of questions. This is truly how I learned so much of what I know today; Just kind and generous people giving me the time of day and answering all of my art questions.
In my opinion, I really do not have much talent, but rather I have passion, and that passion has only grown continuously.
My passion to create is fueled by a deep curiosity and wonder toward the God of the universe, and His immeasurable love for me. I’ve found myself endlessly inspired by God’s willingness to send His son Jesus Christ to die in my place, make me a new creation, and allow me to live out my identity freely, without fear or shame. This freedom that I live in helps me to keep trying, keep drawing, keep painting and taking on new ventures, even when I’m discouraged or feel under-qualified.
Every amazing opportunity that has come my way has undoubtedly been a gift from God. Even the hard, discouraging, and sad times of life have been a gift and have taught me priceless lessons that have been for my good. I continue to live and create in amazement as I walk through each door that He opens for me without fear, knowing that I am never alone.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey to becoming a professional artist has definitely not been a smooth road, but it has been a joyful one all the same.
I genuinely struggled with not knowing how to convey the images in my head onto canvas for the longest time. Without the opportunity to take an art class or study abroad like I had always wanted, I was left with only my growing desire to communicate what was in my mind. This was before the ease of internet searches, or free youtube tutorials to teach me.
However, what I gained from this struggle was a deep determination and unexpected attention toward wisdom and understanding, in the form of staring at famous paintings. This became my art class: literally staring at paintings in museums. I would memorize every color and brushstroke, I would paint with the Masters in my mind and make sense of their techniques. I would then go home to try and fail, but sometimes, succeed. I would then take my unanswered questions to the Art Supply Warehouse employees and that was also my art class.
All of these things taught me so much! How to be brave and find answers, how to network, and also how to teach others.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I paint fine art that is shown in a gallery at the heart of the Art Walk in Laguna Beach, called Quorum Gallery.
My painting subjects center around nature and story telling. I write poetry that inspires my paintings, although I am not totally sure which one inspires the other at this point.
I love using every type of art medium, but I specialize in Oils, Acrylics, Watercolor, Gouache, and Oil Pastels.
During the school year, I teach at a learning center called Pacific Coast Learning Center, in Westminster, CA. I currently have 180 students spanning from Kindergarten to twelfth grade. I teach Introduction to Art, Fundamentals of Drawing, Intermediate Drawing, Fundamentals of Painting, Digital Design, and Elementary Arts&Crafts.
During the summer, when I’m not teaching, I paint murals as a freelance artist. Mural painting is one of my favorite things to do. I like to challenge myself to paint in a way that makes my murals look like a giant oil painting.
I am most known for my animal and floral paintings/murals, along with my chiaroscuro style paintings. I have had students of mine tell me they saw a painting in someone’s house that they knew was painted by me just by looking at it, and I absolutely love that!
I would say that I’m most proud of my writing/poetry. This might come as a shock as I know I’ve gone on and on about art and painting, but let me explain:
All of my life I have felt like I have something I need to say, yet lacked all the right words for. I painted and drew to communicate something that was even a mystery to myself. Until recently, I had only pictures and no words. I wrote my poetry with paintbrushes. But now the words are coming to me, and I am painting pictures with my poetry. Neither are more important than the other. It’s as if the pictures and words are fitting together perfectly, completing each other. The reason I am most proud of my poetry is because I am most terrified to share it. The words feel more vulnerable than the pictures ever did, or maybe I’m just more used to sharing the paintings, as I’ve been doing that for longer.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
In all honesty, I would love for people to want to see my work, read my poetry, and buy/collect my artwork; But even more importantly, I value the community, the curiosity, the conversation, and mutual love of creating. I am currently most active on Instagram, and would love to connect with you there! (@JessicaChapmanArt)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.JessicaChapmanArt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicachapmanart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicachapmanart/
Image Credits
Cory + Marissa Toma- Sunset Dream Media
