Jessika Wilson: Inside the Artist’s Studio

Inside the Artist’s Studio

Never Break the Chain: Jessika Wilson

Derrick White

“I enjoy experimenting with different mediums and materials. I like to create fun, unique pieces people can relate to, I want people to look at my art and say ‘Wow, how did she do that, what material did she use?’ I like to create conversation pieces. I often use inspirational quotes in my artwork because we could all use a little motivation here and there, explains, local artist and small business owner, Jessika Wilson. Jessika runs Bee Original Company, a fun online boutique offering cute clothing and handmade artwork. She is also available for custom commissions and murals.

Small businesses matter and are important to support. “They contribute financially to your community. Small businesses provide significant contributions to the local tax base, which pays for infrastructure and services that benefit everyone nearby,” according to Why Small Business Matters in Your Community on the website starblox.com and in belay.com’s blog The Importance of Small Businesses it states, “Small businesses are the heart of our communities, creating jobs, driving economic growth and contributing to innovation.”

Jessika began her study of art around 2010 at Tyler Junior College. After originally beginning a pursuit of psychology. She remembers, “I had my heart set on being a psychology major but after receiving a C as my final grade in psychology class, I figured maybe it wasn’t for me and decided to go with art. Being in the art department was inspiring. Being around like-minded people who all had different styles and were good in different areas was interesting.” I believe having access to studio spaces, specialized tools, and equipment, and the advice and experience of skilled professors is significant to a visual arts education but having the community and friendships of your classmates and fellow artists to bounce ideas off of and to challenge and motivate each other is indispensable. Jessika agrees saying, “It was like iron sharpening iron. I absolutely loved being an art major.”

I asked Wilson about the style of her pieces and what she wants others to experience from viewing her artwork and she replied, “I would like to say my art style is very contemporary, depending on what I am feeling like at the moment. I enjoy working with all kinds of media, I love working with cardboard, foam, and plaster, I’ve recently been experimenting with vinyl spackling, and painting on glass and I have enjoyed it.”

Like many artists, Jessika had early inspirations in childhood. She explains, “Art has always been something I turned to just to pass the time, as a child I shared a bedroom with my brothers who were obsessed with gaming, and being the only girl, it continually left me out, so while they were on the video games, I was always drawing. My mother was always extremely creative, so I guess subconsciously I picked up my love for creativity from watching her always create cool things. My friends always asked me to do projects for them and constantly encouraged me to do something with my talent and when I studied art in college, it only amplified my love for creating.”

When asked about what art brings to her life, Jessika answers, “The most important thing art has brought to my life is an outlet. Nowadays it almost seems like there is no real way to disconnect. I struggle so much sometimes with limiting the amount of time I spend mindlessly scrolling through social media but one thing I love about art is that art is like therapy, it is good for my soul, and it is something that allows me to fully be present in the moment, no distractions, just me and the art piece, and when it is done, I get even more joy knowing I am going to share the work with someone who it will bring joy to as well.”

“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.” — Maya Angelou. When I asked about some of the frustrations of being an artist, Jessika let me know, “Right now, the most frustrating part about being an artist is just always feeling like people do not want to pay you what you’re worth.” This is a sentiment that needs to be addressed a little bit here. Artists are not magicians. Creating does not necessarily come easy and generally speaking a visual artist’s time and effort are almost universally undervalued in my experience. Artists are constantly asked to provide their services at discounted rates or donate their endeavors or creations for exposure. You would not expect your mechanic, doctor, or local restaurant to provide free services just for publicity so pay artists. Work out a budget, shop different skill levels, work out a payment plan but support our community creatives as best you can. It helps and just like the importance of small businesses mentioned earlier assistance gets paid forward and is chained and connected to others in our society who benefit as well. “It takes each of us to make a difference for all of us.” — Jackie Mutcheson.

Jessika Wilson concludes our conversation, “In terms of having a favorite artist, no particular artist comes to mind. I just love art making viewers feel something. Stuff that just catches your eye and draws you to it. Conversation pieces. All art is cool in its own way, and I love how art draws people from different levels of society together.” “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” — Muhammad Ali (Angelou, Mutcheson, and Ali quotes from ellevatenetwork.com).

Learn more about Jessika Wilson and her work at Bee Original Co. or on Instagram at @jessikawittak