Jessica Pittman
Artist Statement
I am an artist based in the Denver area, originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan. I hold a BFA in Studio Art with an emphasis in Painting and a BA in Dance from Grand Valley State University. My work is deeply rooted in the belief that art has the power to forge connections between the viewer and the subject, evoking profound emotional responses.
With two artistic passions—painting and dance—my creative practice intertwines both forms, often exploring the dynamic relationships between them. I draw inspiration from Baroque artists, Victorian narratives, and genre painting, creating visual stories that are meant to be pieced together. Hidden in the imagery, I use symbolism, light, color, and composition to suggest deeper meanings, inviting the viewer to engage in a personal interpretation.
My work captures the romanticized quality of everyday moments, transforming ordinary scenes into something more poignant. This sense of heightened emotion allows the viewer to get lost in the narrative, even if just for a fleeting moment, creating a space for reflection and connection. Through my paintings, I aim to transport viewers into a world where the mundane becomes extraordinary, where the subtleties of light and composition become a silent language that speaks to the heart.
Jessica Pittman
Artist Statement
I am an artist based in the Denver area, originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan. I hold a BFA in Studio Art with an emphasis in Painting and a BA in Dance from Grand Valley State University. My work is deeply rooted in the belief that art has the power to forge connections between the viewer and the subject, evoking profound emotional responses.
With two artistic passions—painting and dance—my creative practice intertwines both forms, often exploring the dynamic relationships between them. I draw inspiration from Baroque artists, Victorian narratives, and genre painting, creating visual stories that are meant to be pieced together. Hidden in the imagery, I use symbolism, light, color, and composition to suggest deeper meanings, inviting the viewer to engage in a personal interpretation.
My work captures the romanticized quality of everyday moments, transforming ordinary scenes into something more poignant. This sense of heightened emotion allows the viewer to get lost in the narrative, even if just for a fleeting moment, creating a space for reflection and connection. Through my paintings, I aim to transport viewers into a world where the mundane becomes extraordinary, where the subtleties of light and composition become a silent language that speaks to the heart.
Animal-Pour Statement
As stewards of the Earth, we are called to cultivate and care for the world and its creatures. The fragility of nature, and the creatures who inhabit it, is reflected in the process of my work. I believe that our neglect or care for the world directly influences its future, and this idea drives my artistic practice.
Each painting begins with an acrylic pour, which serves as a vibrant and unpredictable background—an environment that embodies the natural world. The fluidity of the pour, with its unique color combinations and directions, mirrors the ever-changing, dynamic ecosystems in which life thrives. These abstract layers reflect the organic chaos and beauty of nature, which is often beyond our control yet deeply intertwined with life itself.
On top of this acrylic foundation, I paint the image of an animal using thin layers of oil paint. The delicate application of oil allows the subject to merge and dissolve into the background, symbolizing the intricate relationship between the creature and its habitat. The animal’s form appears to disintegrate into the pour, emphasizing the vulnerability of all living things and their dependence on the environment that sustains them. Just as the pour cannot be exactly replicated, each painting becomes a one-of-a-kind expression—both of the creature it portrays and the world it inhabits.
The pour itself offers inspiration, as its colors and patterns guide my choice of which animal to depict. Each piece is an exploration of the serendipitous connection between life and landscape, where every brushstroke and flow of paint is an act of reverence for the natural world. Through this process, I aim to highlight the delicate balance of life and the pressing need to protect the creatures we share the Earth with—before they fade into the background forever.