We were lucky to catch up with Jess Peoples recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jess, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I don’t think I had a choice, it seems like it was always just pursuing me and part of me. I have received so many nudges, but something that came pretty clearly was in 2020. I had just started my own brand and design freelance/consulting business the year before with a set few hours each week dedicated to just experimenting with paint and no specific outcomes. I had so many great clients. Painting was that thing I did when I waited between client calls. It gave me the optimism I needed to try again when things didn’t go the way I wanted.
In March, the world seemed to stop. Because I was a contractor, most work was on hold til the unknown future. So much was up in the air. Two little kids and two entrepreneurs. But in the stillness, people during that time just started calling me about my art. They purchased some pieces. And, I continued to create. My mom got sick that year. The doctors told us they may have to remove her face, she may not survive if the cancer was deep. There were so many unknowns. I kept painting and started learning more about foundational painting practices. I invested in learning more.
I found my only constant was my ability to create. To take the anxiety and the fear and to attempt to produce something beautiful. And so, that’s what I did that weird year. And people continued to respond to the art I created, reflecting on the ambiguity of life, the questions I had about the future. We made an outside art crawl for the neighborhood. Someone cried joyful tears when they walked into a room with my work.
And now, I can’t seem to stop painting, knowing that art does something special. It connects people. It makes sense when the world doesn’t. And, it’s just fun. I hope to continue this pursuit as long as possible.
Jess, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I do a variety of things with a focus on growing my art practice, focused on sharing uplift.
I use traditional oils on canvas and also sometimes dabble in other things, too. I paint commissioned art and also sell my work via my website and through shows, painting from life when possible. I have even started live painting for some events.
If you look me up, you’ll find that a group of us are growing a field hockey program that never existed before in Tennessee.
I also have a background in graphic design and communications consulting, helping brand small companies and give them what they need on a short term basis to go forward to market.
Please contact me if you are interested in any of these things as I can elaborate and would welcome a conversation.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
Not yet, but I’d like to actually explore the conversation with people in a real room. It’s hard to get beyond the virtual spamming and exploitation that’s happening.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Support the work. Low or no costs to enter exhibits. Integrate art with health and science in schools, medical care and in business. Art is so transformational both in the act of creating it and having it around.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jesspeoples.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jesspeoplesart
- Facebook: https://instagram.com/jesspeoplesart
Image Credits
Beth Rose Goin
Ari Davidson
Meagan Miller