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

Jessica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I am a mostly self-taught artist. I have taken workshops and courses here and there from other artists but other than that, everything I know is a result of a lot of practice and trial and error. Once I decided I was going to be an artist, I was ALL IN. If I wasn’t painting, I was researching all things art, new techniques and new media etc. I really gave myself the freedom to invest in my business buy buying new supplies and taking the time to learn new skills and experiment without the pressure of everything I paint needing to be a masterpiece. Creativity is something that is often misunderstood. People think it’s some divine gift that you either have or don’t, but I find that it’s like most things, it comes with practice and dedication. When I go to art shows I will occasionally bring supplies with me to paint while I am there. People love to watch me paint as if it’s magic. A common comment I hear is “wow, you’re so talented.” and then they immediately say something derogatory about their art skills like, “I can’t draw a stick figure” I always find that odd because in other careers/areas people don’t compare themselves to the “expert. You don’t take a workout class for the first time and expect to be as strong as the trainer who has spent years training and whose literal job is inside a gym. I always think to myself, “have you spent hours a day almost daily for the past 5 years painting? Because I have.” Some people are naturally more creative than others but there is a lot of hard work involved. The most important thing that has contributed to my success as an artist is showing up consistently in the studio and on social media. I have worked hard to get better as an artist and to develop my own unique style and have tried to slowly build an authentic following to share it with. One major obstacle that stood in the way is imposter syndrome. The art world tends to be a bit pretentious for outsiders and so when I first started out, I let that intimidate me. It’s so easy to get caught up in the comparison trap and I felt like I needed to act or look a certain way in order to be taken seriously. I would see another artist who I considered “legit” and then take everything they said or did to heart even when it really didn’t always work for my practice. Over time I learned that I am an artist because I say that I am and to take everything I see with a grain of salt. Art is so unique and individualized that you have to experiment and do what works for you.

Jessica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

About 5 years ago I started pursing a career as an artist. I was working a job where I didn’t feel fulfilled; I have always felt very creative and as if I have big emotions I need to get out by creating something from nothing. I enjoy painting wild abstracts and florals with lots of bold color, texture, and messy movements. I tend to stick to an unapologetically colorful palette. I see inspiration everywhere, especially in nature. I am constantly seeing painting compositions in leaves and branches of trees or rows of flowers. My goal is to paint pieces that brighten every room and bring joy to their owners. I truly believe that art is an experience and that the physical world is a powerful link to create happier lives. Art transforms any environment into a haven. Your life will be better if you live it in the presence of original art. I create because I believe art helps people live lives of abundance, luxury, and meaning. I really do believe that original art can change lives. The process of creating something beautiful from nothing is magical for me. I pour so much emotion into every one-of-a-kind piece I create, it’s as if the art is a part of me. Sending little pieces of me out into the world is so rewarding.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I grew up loving original art. When I bought my first condo I remember telling my mom, I want ORIGINAL art on the walls- I don’t care what the subject or colors are as long as they are original. I was raised to understand the magic of original art but when I started painting, much to my dismay, I realized that most people do not appreciate art. People equate original art with mass produced art prints you can get at hobby lobby or they think hanging baskets or plates on their walls is the same as original art. They treat art like it’s furniture that can be customized with any color combination just to match the drapes. I think educating people about art and making it more accessible to the masses is important. I have heard people say “I just don’t know what’s good.” when talking about art. You shouldn’t need a degree in art history just to pick out a piece that speaks to you. Placing an importance on art and locally made items over the mass produced is important. Any time you can support an artist or small business owner is helpful. I have been able to build a really great network of supporters through friends of friends who talk about my work & share it with others. Every word of encouragement really goes a long way for us vulnerable creatives.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I am lucky to live in a city like Raleigh that supports artists and there are tons of opportunities for creatives but it’s very competitive and is hard to get you work seen. When I first started, I would put my work anywhere (dingy coffee shops, office buildings, apartment complexes etc.) for free just to get eyes on it. I said yes to any and every crazy commission request (I paint florals & colorful abstracts & I actually painted Yoda once – I’ve never even seen Star Wars). I participated in so many craft markets where my art wasn’t appreciated and I barely broke even. People take advantage of this idea of the “starving artist” and expect us to do everything for free and get paid in “exposure”. “Donate that painting that took you hours to make and is your livelihood to our auction. We can’t pay you, but you will get tons of exposure” “Come hang your paintings here so we can enjoy them for free, risk having them damaged – for exposure.” “Come spend several hours painting live at our event so you can be our free entertainment- for exposure.” All of this can be very discouraging to work so hard and not be compensated for it. But I kept hustling and showing up and began, slowly but surely, to create a following for myself. I began to learn my worth and now I get to say no to projects that don’t truly speak to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://piercepaints.com/
• Instagram: @pierce_paints
• Facebook: Pierce Paints