"If Tim Burton had a baby with Rainbow Brite, their love child would be you."
Born July 17th, 1989 in Atlantic City New Jersey, Denver-based artist Jessica Rowell discovered her talent for the arts as an adolescent; unlike a majority of her peers Jessica struggled with what her parents and teachers had assumed to be a learning disability. What had seemed like a detriment in Jessica's understanding in obtaining the proper names of 'colors' soon unveiled a camouflaged talent for the arts. Though a mere child, she revealed that the color red could not simply be called 'red' as this particular shade showed traces of purple, so rather it was red with a hint of this and that. Thus, the artist inside was born.
Emerging from a prominent background in traditional art, Jessica was first honored in 1995 at the tender age 6 with an "Honorable Mention" in the Primary Visual Arts category where her work was displayed in a public art collection at Dillard's in Aurora, Colorado. Jessica’s adolescent artworks continued to garner attention and success as she subsequently achieved honors in 1996, 1997, 1999, and in 2000. Amidst her preliminary years as a student Jessica participated in several extracurricular activities including sewing club. Oblivious to the active role sewing would yield in the near future, Jessica’s passion for creating art strengthened as she sought out opportunities within the art field. Her first endeavor consisted of auditioning for animation classes at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) where she received a waiver to participate in a high-school entry level course. Jessica soon realized that animation was not the right route or environment for her, so she sketched independently. Her urge to create began to manifest into other art forms and outlets as she started to express herself through Fashion, Hair, and Makeup by embracing various alternative lifestyles.
In the fall of 2003, Jessica started studying Japanese as a second language in high school. Her Sensei, a Native of Japan, exposed her class to the language, traditions, customs, culture, theatrical art forms, and modern sub-cultures prominent in Japan. Jessica was enchanted and inspired; she developed a love for Japan and spent countless hours researching and studying their culture when she discovered the Japanese performance art known as “Cosplaying,” (Costume Role-playing). Although active in her traditional art, pursuing courses both within and outside of the school district, Jessica at age 14 found her true passion in costume design and debuted her first “Cosplay” costumes at a local Anime Convention in Colorado called Nan Desu Kan. Receiving a huge response for her first works, she quickly developed a name for herself within the cosplay circuit. Nearly less than a year later, clients were advertising Jessica’s costuming talents word-of-mouth, and after receiving multiple costume requests, Jessica formed her costume business: J-Chan’s Designs.
In 2005 and 2006, Jessica primarily focused on expanding her customer-base regionally and nationally, while working on her Advanced Placement Art portfolio, a fairy-themed costume collection. At the end of 2006, Jessica submitted her portfolio to a panel of judges, and she received a low 2 points out of possible 5, which was a huge disappointment for her but not diminishing to her spirit. In her graduating year, 2007, she decided to produce another portfolio. Re-establishing her roots in traditional art, she acquired a unique “lowbrow” style in her artwork and produced over 50 paintings during the span of her second Advanced Placement Art course except this time she obtained 4 out of 5 on the final works submitted.
Quotations:
"To think an artist simply wakes with talent is mere foolery, we wake with a choice."
"In my art, if there is something I'd ever want to be "known" for it would be my ruffles. That is my signature."
"A wall requires a strong foundation. You build it brick by brick, and as a result the wall extends higher and higher. But, once you neglect the first bricks you've placed, your foundation will start to weaken, and as a result those bricks you've worked so hard to stack above will soon crumble...then you're left alone. You and the ground. I know where my feet stand."
"One trait that I feel defines an "artist" is their ability to improvise. An artist who lacks improvisational skills will fail in any given moment of crisis."
"Personal space for an artist is invaluable. I cannot put enough emphasis on it, it's nurtured and drawn upon like a creation of its own."
"Artists are starving, starving not in that they cannot afford food, but in that they choose to feed their art."
"Stop collecting names, and do something significant for your art."
"I'm first a painter, and an artist must finish their own painting."