Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Neuman-Herschko.
Hi Jessica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a daughter of immigrants who moved to this country in 1975 from the Carpathian Mountains (the USSR at the time). They started a new life with little financial security but they brought with them much furniture, textiles and home decor. All of these objects had a strong influence on my aesthetic preferences. The vintage and European patterns, colors and images all contributed to the often unconventional choices I make when decorating my home, selecting my clothing and making my art. My grandparents are Holocaust survivors and always taught me to appreciate everything around me – the sky, the birds, fruit, the sea, flowers, music and everything else one could experience.
My grandmother, who is still with us, has on every birthday and holiday, drawn on a card – a pot of flowers and a bird (one that I have tattooed on my arm). I’ve always wondered why those two images and now, being an artist and frequently drawing birds and flowers, I feel that they are images that evoke simplicity, happiness and freedom-all things she and my family felt when coming to America. I grew up in an Orthodox Jewish bubble in the heart of Los Angeles but after leaving to complete Boston University (degree in Political Science), I moved to NYC to work for the Claims Conference (the organization that distributes reparations from Austria, Germany and Switzerland to Holocaust Survivors – I speak four other languages). After two years in NYC, I felt a call back to Los Angeles. I started engaging in more artistic pursuits – making jewelry and styling celebrities.
At the same time, I started to meet a number of the most prolific artists of our generation some of whom have since become my best friends like Kirsten Dunst, Jenny Lewis, Jason Boesel, Jake Bellows & Morgan Nagler. It was through the encouragement of these friends and their amazing contributions to the world as humans and artists that I found my artistic voice. I began illustrating their homes, my home, parks, restaurants, objects and anything that would catch my eye. One day I was scavenging at Goodwill (probably with Jenny and Morgan) an activity that makes me very happy and found a perfect white Hanes vintage sweatshirt and decided I’d use a sharpie to draw on it. I posted the photo of the garment and it sold within 5 minutes and the inquiries haven’t stopped since. I now source gently used and deadstock vintage clothing as well as new clothes and sell children’s as well as adult clothing. @observedbyus
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Yes. So far uphill.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m known for my interior illustrations and one of a kind hand drawn clothing for kids and adults. I’ve been told that my style is a bit whimsical and my color choices are unexpected.
What does success mean to you?
I define success by being creatively fulfilled, providing things that make others happy and finding some kind of financial success doing that.
Pricing:
- Pricing starts at $150
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @observedbyus
- Facebook: Observed by us
Image Credits
Tom Herschko
