ART STATEMENT
As a Canadian artist, I'm recognized for my lifelike portraits inspired by comic art. My pencil drawings depict comic book characters with realism against a negative space backdrop. The face takes center stage, intricately detailed with textures and tonal values drawing the viewer into the person's profile.
My passion for comic books and collecting, and their influence on contemporary pop culture shapes my work. I explore nostalgic connection people have with childhood icons and their transition into adulthood. Through my art, I revisit memories of iconic superheroes and their impact on my life.
Each portrait, set against a negative space, invites the viewer to focus on the intricate details. Using graphite and charcoal powders, pencils, and coloured pencils combined with blending techniques, I bring the characters to life, making them tangible and relatable.
The level of detail in my drawings offers a new perspective, presenting these personalities as real individuals. I aim to bridge cultural, age, and gender divides, celebrating comic art's universality and it's ability to evoke joy and nostalgia.
In today's diverse pop culture landscape, comic books and their characters resonate with everyone. I want my portraits to unite people from all backgrounds, evoking shared childhood memories and inspiring a sense of wonder and connection. Comic books are for everyone, and through art I aim to share the magic and inspiration they've brought me since childhood.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Exhibitions (Group Shows)
2025-Gotham Central Comics (Halloween Fest) (Mississauga, On)
2025-Heroes World Comic Shop (Batman Day) (Richmond Hill, On)
2025-Gotham Central Comics (Summer Bash) (Mississauga,On)
2025-Heroes World Comic Shop (Superman Day) (Richmond Hill, On)
2025-33 Contemporary Art Gallery (Modern Portraits) (Lake Worth, FL, USA)
2024-Heroes World Comic Shop (25th Anniversary) (Richmond Hill, On)
2023-Las Laguna Art Gallery (Women In Art ) (Laguna Beach, CA, USA)
2022 -Art For Life Chicago (The Mart, Chicago, USA)
-Las Laguna Art Gallery (Women In Art) (Laguna Beach, CA, USA)
-Arthouse New York (Hero Art Project ) (Big Screen Plaza, NY, USA)
-Art Gallery of Ontario (Portraits of Resilience )(Toronto, Ont., CAN)
-Las Laguna Art Gallery (Human Faces And Figures) (Laguna Beach, CA, USA)
2021-Art For Life Chicago (Chicago, IL., USA)
-Arthouse New York (Hero Art Project) (Big Screen Plaza, NY, USA)
-Las Laguna Art Gallery (Icons) (Laguna Beach, CA, USA)
-Las Laguna Art Gallery (Textures and Patterns) (Laguna, CA, USA)
2020-Art For Life Chicago (Chicago, Il., USA)
- MacDonald House (Culture Days) ( Toronto, Ont., CAN)
-Beaux Arts Brampton (Atypical Shift) (Brampton, Ont., CAN)
-Leslie Jones Restaurant (solo show) (Toronto, Ont., CAN)
-Beaux Arts Brampton (Leaps and Bounds) (Brampton, Ont., CAN)
2019-Cork and Bean (Oshawa, Ont., CAN)
-MacDonald House (Culture Days Juried Show) (Toronto, ON.,CAN)
-Beaux Arts Brampton (12th Annual Juried Fine Art Show ) (Brampton, ON.,CAN)
2007-Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery (A Contemporary Show ) (Toronto, ON.,CAN)
2006-Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery (The Golden Age-A Celebration) (Toronto, ON.,CAN)
Education
Fanshawe College 2004
AFFILIATIONS
Certified affiliate for Chartpak artist brands, 2024-current
Member of the Koh-I-Noor USA Drawing Team 2023
PUBLICATIONS AND MENTIONS
-Create Magazine, Issue 45, July 2024
-Canvas Rebel ,Mission and Purpose interview (online and print) March 2022
-Art For Life Chicago catalogue, Ocotober 2021
-Art For Life Chicago, catalogue, October 2020
-SYFY Wire, Partrick Stewart 2019
-MAG magazine, "A Contemporary Show" 2007
-The Toronto Star "A Contemporary Show" 2007
-Slate magazine, "The Golden Age: A Celebration" 2006
AWARDS
People's Choice Award for Fine Art courtesy of Beaux Arts Brampton
for Jason Momoa, 2019
COMMISSIONS (Public)
Commissioned by Fanshawe College for Don Smith co-founder of Ellis Don
Construction for Marilyn Monroe, acrylic on canvas.
PRESS
Comic Art Meets Fine Art.....
"Art reflects an artist's life, including their feelings, experiences, and surroundings. It can incorporate hobbies, culture, important events, places and everyday things. For me, it's about my hobbies, personal growth and the tools I use. I've loved reading and collecting comic books for as long as I can remember, and that love has become a part of my art. Learning new drawing techniques helps bring the characters I adore and grew up with to life. It's all about constantly learning and trying new things which has helped me make my portraits more realistic. Even how I use my drawing tools has become just as important as the art itself..."
Jessica Archer-Create Magazine #45
Combining fine art and comic art. Jessica's lifelong passions are at the fore front of her art making these iconic comic book characters come to life through realism.
Through graphite, charcoal powders, pencils and blending techniques, she brings characters to life, making them tangible and relatable. Her portraits aim to bridge cultural, age, and gender divides, celebrating comic art's universality and it's ability to evoke joy and nostalgia.
Jessica seeks to unite people from all backgrounds, evoking shared childhood memories and inspiring wonder through her art. Create Magazine can be found on all social media outlets, with issues available online, print available on amazon as well as the Create Magazine website and small local bookstores.
Canvas Rebel
CANVAS REBEL-INTERVIEW!
I recently had the opportunity to chat with Canvas Rebel about living a life in the arts. Choosing a life in the arts isn't an easy one but it's a decision I never regret. It took me a long time to discover that being in the arts could also have meaning and purpose. Art saved my life in more ways than one, and I go in depth about missio
I recently had the opportunity to chat with Canvas Rebel about living a life in the arts. Choosing a life in the arts isn't an easy one but it's a decision I never regret. It took me a long time to discover that being in the arts could also have meaning and purpose. Art saved my life in more ways than one, and I go in depth about mission and purpose in this interview. Check it out-we may have more in common than you know! You can check out Canvas Rebel at canvasrebel.com
SYFY Wire Features Picard!
Picard And SYFY Wire!
I had the fortunate opportunity of having my pencil drawing of Patrick Stewart featured on SYFY Wire to promote the Star Trek spinoff Picard!
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