Jessie Ross: Fantastic Flora
Jessie Ross currently lives and works in Greenwich Village, NYC. After graduating from Parsons School of Design Ross worked in the fashion industry for many years designing scarves and accessories for brands such as Coach and Banana Republic. She began painting during the covid pandemic while living in isolation at the Jersey shore. Her work often depicts marine life she would find washed ashore during walks along the beach. Ross’ watercolor paintings invite observers to immerse themselves in a realm where the natural and imaginative intertwine. By turning the familiar into the unfamiliar she aims to challenge our perception of the world around us.
How did your creative journey begin?
My creative journey started in childhood, growing up in a home where art and creating were always present. My mother, an artist, worked in a basement studio in our suburban Philadelphia house, and the faint smell of turpentine was a familiar backdrop to our everyday life. She encouraged me with arts and crafts from a young age, enrolling me in different kids’ art classes and gifting me classic craft sets for my birthdays. Back then, it was mostly just fun, something I enjoyed without thinking much about where it might lead.
It wasn’t until high school, when I started considering my future, that I took art more seriously and began to see it as a potential career. That led me to pursue a BFA in fashion design at Parsons School of Design. After graduating, I spent many years in the fashion industry, designing scarves and accessories for brands like Coach and Banana Republic.
Then the COVID pandemic came, and I found myself at the Jersey Shore with my now-husband. That’s when I dug out my old watercolors from college just to see what might happen. I set up a little studio with an ocean view and reconnected with painting. I realized how much I truly loved working with watercolors, drawing inspiration from the marine life all around me. When my daughter, Stella, was born in May 2023, I decided to step away from fashion and dedicate my creative energy to painting.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Living in New York City for so long has given me a deep appreciation and longing for nature. A lot of my inspiration comes from those moments when I can immerse myself in the outdoors. I love traveling and pushing myself out of my comfort zone, whether it's hiking, diving, skiing, or rock climbing. When I'm out exploring, I try to stop and really take in what's around me. I tend to get fascinated by things like interesting rock formations, tree roots, or even little creatures like nudibranchs. Those moments often stick with me and end up making their way into my work later on. There’s also a touch of surrealism in my art, along with influences from scientific botanical illustrations, which have always fascinated me.
How has your work evolved over the last few years?
My work has been in a constant state of evolution over the past few years. Since I first started painting, I've been exploring ways to develop a style that's truly my own. Each new piece brings a fresh opportunity to experiment, learn, and grow. In the beginning, my work leaned more towards figurative forms, likely influenced by my early passion for fashion illustration. But over time, I've shifted towards a more botanical and abstract approach. I love that art is an endless journey, there’s always room to evolve and discover something new.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you, and how has your art practice grown or changed?
I don’t get much time in the studio during the day since my 18-month-old keeps me on my toes. Most of my work happens during nap time or after she’s asleep at night. When I’m in the middle of a larger piece, I try to dive right back into where I left off from my last session. A lot of my time also goes into researching and planning compositions. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with AI and Photoshop to help visualize my ideas before sketching and refining them on paper.
Which experiences have impacted your work as an artist?
I feel like everything I've experienced has shaped who I am today, and that's reflected in my work. The pandemic, in particular, had a huge impact, and having that time to slow down and focus on painting really changed things for me. Honestly, I’m not sure I would have even started painting if it weren't for that period.
How has social media impacted your work?
Social media has been an amazing tool for discovering and connecting with artists working today. I’m constantly inspired by the work I come across on Instagram, and it’s remarkable how accessible art has become through these platforms. While I still love the experience of visiting museums and galleries, social media gives me a mini version of that almost every day.
Can you tell us more about the themes you explore in your work?
In my work, I explore vibrant colors and dynamic movement, often with an underlying sense of impermanence. There's this constant feeling that the beauty I see in the world might not always be there, especially given the environmental challenges we face. That urgency and fragility often find their way into my pieces. I’m also drawn to creating a sense of wonder and mystery, with otherworldly whimsical elements. There’s a playful, yet introspective, quality to how I approach objects in my work, as they are often more than they appear on the surface. I love to play with perception, using ambiguous forms that challenge how we view the world around us.
IG: @jessiebaberaham
Website: hhttps://www.jessieross.net/