We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessica Lewis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessica below.

Alright, Jessica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

While I was doing portrait commissions of other people’s children, I began to remember things about my own childhood that I’d forgotten. I realized there were many things I may never have thought about again or just forgotten otherwise. Then within a few years, I became a mother and in playing with them and raising them, so many more things came back to me. As I paint their portraits, I’m also referencing my own childhood. There are things in childhood that are timeless. I could give them all the toys in the world and they would still love paper airplanes, sticks, and flowers and finding bugs. Generations of children have made forts, been afraid of the dark or have fantastic imaginations. I love that viewers at any age can find something they relate to or something that sparks those memories for them too. We don’t always have a lot in common these days but we were all children.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I grew up with a mom who’s both an artist and a teacher, and I credit her for being incredibly supportive and encouraging. She’s a creative thinker who always found ways to make art with whatever materials we had on hand, which had a huge influence on me. A turning point in my own journey came when I was accepted into the Governor’s School for the Arts in high school. It was exciting to be surrounded by other creative people and be immersed in discussions about art and the process of making it. That experience really solidified my desire to pursue a career in the arts.

I went on to earn a BFA and MFA in painting, and now I balance my time between taking commissions, teaching workshops, and creating my own body of work. Through it all, I’ve become very aware of the passage of time and am passionate about documenting the fleeting moments of our lives—not only for my own family but for others as well.

One poignant memory that shaped my perspective happened at a friend’s house. They have a large oil portrait of a family member from over 150 years ago, complete with a gilded frame and the subject dressed in a suit and cravat. Because of this painting, the family still talks about him. It’s remarkable to see how artwork can preserve a person’s memory, keeping their story alive across generations.

When I think about what I want to leave behind, it’s the portraits I’m most proud of. Through these paintings, we all get to live on, and it means so much to me to provide that gift to others—preserving lives and histories for future generations.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Earlier in my career, I spent several years working for a company that creates themed spaces for resorts, exhibits, zoos, and museums. As a painter and sculptor, my role involved designing large-scale murals and other public display pieces. Working in the predominantly male world of construction taught me how to hold my own, be tough when necessary, and take on leadership roles.

The confidence I developed stemmed from understanding that I didn’t need to know everything—but I needed the ability to find solutions. This mindset allowed me to embrace being an out-of-the-box thinker. I learned to set aside pride, ask questions, and identify the right people to turn to for guidance.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

When I first began taking portrait commissions, I wish I had known about the Portrait Society of America. It has been an invaluable resource, offering guidance on everything from the painting process to the business side of art. The society provides access to a wealth of wisdom from internationally renowned artists and hosts an annual conference that I’ve attended several times. Through these experiences, I’ve gained new friends from across the country—many of whom I now turn to for advice.

Ideally, every artist would have a mentor to seek guidance from, peers to connect with on a shared level, and someone they can mentor in turn. This creates a cycle where knowledge is continually shared and passed down.

Another thing I wish I had embraced earlier is taking workshops from other artists. After spending so much time in school, it felt hard to justify further courses, but that seems silly in retrospect. We should always aim to be lifelong learners. Every workshop I’ve attended has contributed to growth in my own work and improved how I approach teaching as well.

Lastly, I would say look for any art organizations in your community. You get a chance to meet fellow artists, make friends, network, and even be a part of something that gives back. When I moved to Nashville, I was traveling a lot working on out of town projects, so I didn’t have as much time to get out and meet other artists. It can be quite lonely being in your studio by yourself. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to get out and meet other people. I joined a plein air painting group here in Nashville, The Chestnut Group, and can’t say enough how thankful I am for the friends I’ve met through it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jessica-lewis.com
• Instagram: Jessica.lewis.art
• Facebook: Jessica Lewis Fine Art
• Linkedin: Jessica-lewis-92