Please tell us how you got started?
I come from a long line of artists and musicians, so it was only natural to follow suit. I’ve been creating art for as long as I can remember, but only began sharing my artwork with the public over the last couple of years. Once my walls and every family member's/friend’s walls were covered with my paintings, I knew it was time to branch out and sell my work to anyone!
Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?
While it is so difficult to pick just one part of my maker’s process, I would have to say delivering my commissioned pieces to their forever home has to be at the top of my list. Helping turn a client’s home into their haven by filling their walls with my artwork is incredibly rewarding and I'm so fortunate that I can help my clients make their spaces feel complete with my work.
What inspires you to create?
Creating and sharing art is like opening a window into an artist’s soul. I use art as an outlet for anything and everything I'm experiencing in each moment. Inspiration can look as simple as looking out the windows of my property or experiencing something new and translating those feelings/experiences into a canvas.
Love that! What’s a typical day like for you in your studio?
In this current season of my life, “typical” is such a hard word to describe my day to day! I am very lucky to have a studio nestled into the center of our home in Prior Lake, Minnesota, where I can work and help raise my family. I am married to my husband Wesley and together we have three beautiful children- Finn 6, Eli 4, and Lulu 1. Having an established studio in my home makes it possible to work and create while still enjoying time with my family. My favorite time to paint is once the kids are asleep- I can throw in my headphones (usually tuned into a mix of Bon Iver, Billie Eilish, Santana, or Ludovico Einaudi -depending on my mood!) and immerse myself completely into my work.
Do you have a favorite item you’ve created and why?
After the unexpected, traumatic death of my father, I painted only using black and white for a few years. The first time I painted with color, I created one of my favorite pieces to date- “Jessica Stoodley. Untitled, 36x48, 2018. Acrylic on Canvas.” The painting marks a pivotal moment in the journey of my ongoing healing from the grief of his sudden loss. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come as a person and artist, and I look at it as the start of the next chapter in my life as an artist.
That is beautiful. What do you love most about Minnesota?
Minnesota is such a uniquely beautiful place to live and create. The memories and connections I’ve made while living here will always bring me back to this place I call home. Minnesota has such a unique assortment of people and experiences- the vibe of the ever-changing Twin Cities can be so inspiring, all while the backwoods of Northern Minnesota’s incredible landscapes and adventures are a rock’s throw away. Inspiration is everywhere in Minnesota, and the possibilities to create here are endless.
What did you miss most about in person events during this past year?
There is something to be said about the way human connections are made at a time when attending in-person events is unsafe. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from the shifting from in-person to virtual and back to in-person events, it’s that making human connections can be done whichever way suits you. We’re all in this together, and I'm looking forward to safely meeting and speaking face-to-face with other people and vendors at these events.
What will you be bringing to Jackalope?
I will be bringing some of my collection pieces that can be found on my website- www.jessicastoodleystudio.com along with two new collections that I've created uniquely for the fall and winter artisan markets coming up (anyone interested in getting a sneak peek can check out my Instagram page @jessicastoodleystudio) !
We can’t wait to see you in person this October 2nd & 3rd when Jackalope makes our debut in the Twin Cities!
Where to see more of Jessica Stoodley
Website | www.jessicastoodleystudio.com
Instagram | @jessicastoodleystudio
