Hey there, my name is Jessica, most people call me Jessie or just Jess. I was born and raised here in the sunshine state! I graduated with art merit awards from Braden River High School in Bradenton and moved from Sarasota to Fort Myers last June to go to Florida Gulf Coast University. So far it has been absolutely wonderful. I am in my second semester of my freshman year. Although my older brother lives in Fort Myers and is attending FGCU as well, my mom, dad, and 30 year old sister all still live in Sarasota. My plan is to stay here for two years then go to a high end art school such as Ringling, Savannah College of Art and Design, or Parson’s, majoring in graphics and a double minor in illustration and photography. My family is very unique, my father was born and raised in the Bahamas, living on a sailboat with his seven brothers and sisters. By the time he reached 6th grade he had to quit school and start working to help support his siblings. My dad’s my hero, not only did he have a rough childhood but he traveled around the world and worked hard, he’s very smart, and always has a positive and carefree attitude about all situations. He came to the United States without a cent to his name and currently owns Trident Building Systems Incorporated. Most of my friends call me a more modern hippie because how I feel about the earth. I love animals and am constantly trying to help save them. I chose to do animal cruelty in the circus for my senior project in high school. I made a speech, a commercial, joined PETA, started a petition, and a strike against the circus. It was a great experience but was sad to learn more and go in depth about the topic. I also love music, I play the guitar, piano, and flute. I also love playing volleyball.
I think my biggest hobby and passion is for art. A famous English figurative painter named, Euan Uglow, once said, “I'm painting an idea not an ideal. Basically I'm trying to paint a structured painting full of controlled, and therefore potent, emotion.” There is no wrong or right with art, it’s all a form of individual self-expression. Artist usually do most of their communication through their art work. Emotions can be put on to canvas through colors, shapes, and through pictures created by their imagination, it’s a great way for one to express their emotions, and some people even get art therapy. I remember an art class I was in and studying the famous Norman Rockwell. An argument I will never forget was about one of his paintings called, “The Problem We All Live With.” My teacher once said, “‘The Problem We All Live With’ is the most important painting done of an African-American in art history I believe.” Most students in the class begged to differ because when they looked at it all they saw was a painting, yet it is so much more. I find this very controversial painting beautiful not for what is shown to the naked eye but the thoughts and feelings put into the piece of work and it just really touched my heart. It was very influential for me and after seeing this painting I believe that art is more than art. Since then I always paint or draw when I have to vent and usually my best pieces then.
Jessica ~ Your love for art is amazing and so is your father, I can relate to his story of working hard with nothing to build something, he is a perfect hero, all little girls need a hero like your Daddy! I looked at the posted painting and I do agree with you there is much more the a little girl and it is a very deep picture, even more so when you look into the history of when it was painted and all that was happening at that time it becomes very controversial and almost a moral or political statement depending on what lenses you're looking at it with, thank you for sharing. I have not taken any art classes so other then the art work we all know like Vincent van Gogh and Picasso I would have other wise maybe miss the opportunity to view and enjoy the whispers of history you can hear if your really listen when you are looking at the painting of, ‘The Problem We All Live With’ I enjoyed your post. ~ Mindy Underwood
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