Born in Whangarei, I have travelled to some parts of the world, but keep coming back home and live at present in rural Whangarei. I still have plenty more places I would like to visit!
My first memory of painting was finger painting at kindergarten!
I qualified with A Certificate in Professional Photography from Unitec in Auckland, which helps when taking photos of what I what to paint, and I have a Diploma in Architectural Technology, which helps with perspective. I have also done many painting/drawing workshops that all help my craft. At the beginning of 2008 I did a 7-day life drawing workshop with Marianne Muggeridge at the Quarry, which accelerated my drawing observation skills greatly.
I have always enjoyed drawing with pencil, crayon, pastel, painting, creating patterns & images. I studied painting, photography and print making at high school and it was my art teacher who actually recommended I apply for Art school. I got accepted to study photography at Unitec in Auckland (which I totally enjoyed), but I didn’t take up photography as a job though. I then studied & Qualified in Beauty Therapy & Cosmotology Diploma. I have had a variety of jobs in between and always did the occasional painting. Then in 2004 I studied Architecture Technology. Half way through that year I started painting every Tuesday with Gwen Dreadon, and have been now for the past four and a half years
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At the moment I am painting landscapes, mainly seascape views, using oil paints on canvas. I visit the sites and walk around taking photos to get a good feel of what I wish to express in my paintings.
Jessica would like to invite you to the opening preview of her exhibition at THE BACH on Saturday 13th December 2008 2pm-4pm .
