WELCOME!
Hi Friends and welcome! Thank you, Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to learn about me, my life, and my artist process. I started this website in September of 2018 and I have yet to post until today- December 21, 2018. Finding the time to journal will be difficult but I think I am up for task in 2019! I am so excited to start this journey to help share more of my story that cannot be told on a small picture via Instagram or Facebook and to allow others to walk this creative journey with me.
To start, I wanted to tell you a little about how I got started with this artist journey and what life looks like for me now.
I have always been creative in multiple ways. The most obvious creative outlet was back in high school. Throughout all 4 year of high school, I was a part of the Oak Grove High School Theatre Department (Go Warriors). I truly owe it to my theatre director for always pushing every one of her students to be their own personality. She is one of the reasons I allowed my creative side to flourish. (Thank you, Mrs. A!)
Theatre in High School. I was Bagheera the Panther (left).
In college, like many college students, I started on a very different path than where I ended up. I started out as a Theatre major and soon decided I wanted a more “practical” major. I still love Theatre and film to this day. I took part in a few films throughout my college years as an extra and smaller roles.
Once changing my major to nursing, I quickly realized I was not cut out to be in a hospital. From there, I turned to the family business of teaching. My mother was a school guidance counselor for years until she retired. My father was a history professor at The University of Southern Mississippi (where I attended college all 4 years- Go Eagles) until he passed away in 2004. My older sister (11 years older- who plays a huge role in my creativity) graduated college with a theatre degree and soon turned to teaching as well. She is now an instructional technologist for the local schools where she lives.
During college, I painted for fun but nothing more.
I graduated college with a degree in Elementary Education in December of 2016. THIS is the beginning of a new life away from the town a grew up and when I also started a new life with my husband Trent. We got married the day after I graduated college (Yes, I know we are crazy).
Trent and I tied the knot December 2016. I love this guy.
We went off on our Honeymoon and flew back to Memphis, TN where we would live for the next 6 months until we found out Trent got into Dental School in Jackson, MS. During my time in Memphis, I was an assistant teacher in Pre-K AND I got to assist 2 amazing art teachers at the school. INSERT ALL THE CREATIVE ENERGY I HAVE BEEN BOTTLING UP-LETTING LOOSE IN THESE 6 MONTHS! These teachers taught me so many wonderful things in a matter of a few months. This time was such a gift. I was able to play around creativity in a way that I have never allowed my self to do. I started painting on driftwood that Trent and I would collect from the banks of the Mississippi (Hence, the original name JJWashedUpArt). Thanks to wonderful encouragement from friends and family, I have continued to grow in my creativity.
Fast forward to the present and we are celebrating lots of new!
I am a 3rd grade teacher outside of Jackson, Mississippi. This is my 2nd year at a wonderful school.
I launched my very first website! You are currently on it if you are reading this.
I attended FOUR different art shows this passed year!
I designed 2 T-Shirt designs and launched them for sale!
Launched my first ever series called “Girls” (Of women who inspire me, exploring nature- as we all should be)
Trent is in his 2nd year of Dental School (He is halfway a doctor. He like to remind people of this.)
We adopted a new pup, Zion (Our first pup, Rally, loves him).
Trent and I bought our first home.
This is a watercolor of my school!
A piece from my first series to launch called “Girls”.
I have continued this art journey now for 2 years (We also celebrated 2 years of marriage a few days ago). With every stroke of paint I make, whether on driftwood or canvas, I am seeing growth in my skill. It is so amazing to me the feeling that artwork can invoke in each person. For some people, it is a memory. For others, it is they way it makes them feel when they see something that makes them stop for a moment. Whatever it is for you that you love about art, may it keep bringing you joy!
Thank you for listening to my crazy journey of life and art. I am so incredibly thankful for your love and support. It is each person that has shown me support that has pushed me forward to continue in my passion to be a creative.
Thanks a million,
Jessica
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE JOHNSON’S!