Process

Back in the studio, many times she will pull out a painting that was painted en plein air. Here she will continue working on the painting, emphasizing the point of interest, enriching the shadows, brightening up the lights, and generally finessing the picture until every stroke works together to achieve the overall feeling experienced on site.

Other times, she will use a plein air sketch, along with photographs, and her memory to create a new, often larger work. She will employ the same technique as was used outside. She keeps in mind the feelings experienced while at the site, but of course in the studio, other feelings enter the scene building on the original experience, sometimes taking on a life of their own. When this happens, she embraces this evolution and goes where it leads her.

In the tradition of the Impressionist, Barbizon, and Hudson River School painters, Jessica begins by going outside and having a direct experience with nature. Armed with a French Easel, she sketches those scenes which speak to her. She continues developing and finishing her paintings in the studio.

Early in the process, she spends time seeking out a desired location. By driving around or thumbing through guide books, she hones in on specific places. Some of these places include, the hills and meadows of Northern Westchester, the mountains and valleys of northwest Ireland, and the farms of the Hudson River Valley. She is attracted to pristine, peaceful, and lush settings, places that possess a timeless quality.

At the desired location, Jessica takes time to walk around and develop a relationship with the environment. Once acquainted with the area she begins to compose a painting. When she finds the picture, the passion percolates and she begins to paint.