Artist Spotlight | Jessica Travis
Photo by Mull Media
Jessica Travis primarily identifies as a visual artist who specializes in working with acrylic paint. Her artistry mostly embraces the abstract, incorporating mixed media and elements of impressionism. She boasts experience in diverse fields, such as acrylic pour paintings, jewelry, and resin art.
Travis is passionate about creating art that stimulates the imagination and fuels creativity. Her commitment to environmental sustainability is evident in her work; she ensures her creations are primarily eco-friendly, durable, and incorporate upcycled materials to minimize waste.
Her favorite subjects to depict are black women and celestial themes, indicative of her expansive and culturally rooted creativity. Travis firmly believes in her responsibilities as an artist, not only to create but to democratize art. She advocates for both the creatively inclined and those who may not consider themselves traditionally creative to own unique works of art.
She holds the conviction that everyone should have the privilege of art ownership and the opportunity to become an art collector, regardless of their financial status. Above all, Travis stands as a champion for women's empowerment and racial equality, particularly advocating for black individuals.
Can you tell us a little bit about your artistic journey?
My mother, Gloria, began encouraging my interest in art when I was around 5 years old. I believe she grew weary of chastising me for coloring on the "AMHA walls", and so she supplied me with the materials I needed to channel my creativity safely. Quite humorously, I was grateful for this shift.
Of course, my favorite subject in school was art. I remember a sense of tranquility in art class, and all of my APS art teachers held a particular fondness for me! I was definitely the 'teacher's pet' in those classes. While I may have struggled with subjects like math, Parent-Teacher Conferences became significantly more enjoyable when the art teacher chimed in.
Naturally, after high school, full-fledged adulthood sets in, and art became just a hobby for me, until COVID-19 struck. During the height of the pandemic, I, like many others around the globe, lost my full-time position with full benefits - a job I truly loved. The future became uncertain and frightening. To maintain my strength for my family, I returned to painting and drawing. Sharing my artwork on social media led to one thing after another, and I started receiving overwhelming support. Suddenly, I found myself owning an art business. I was back to doing what I loved, and even making a profit from it.
What do you hope to convey through your art?
I aspire for my artwork to ignite imagination. As a Pisces Queen, I dwell in the realm of dreams quite often. It can be immensely therapeutic to momentarily detach from reality and delve deep into oneself.
An interesting fact about me is that my creative juices flow only when I'm in a good mood or happy. As such, my paintings and drawings carry within them a spirit of my joy and happiness. I desire for my collectors to experience these emotions every time they gaze upon my artwork or don my jewelry.
Furthermore, I firmly believe that as an artist, I have a responsibility to raise awareness. I find it crucial to highlight and celebrate black women, who I feel aren't celebrated enough. I make it my mission to change that. The same applies to police brutality. The death of Jayland Walker deeply affected me. Police brutality, a prevalent and painful issue, saddens me each time it occurs. Jayland holds a special place in my heart as he was a friend, classmate, co-worker, teammate - an Akronite, just like us. The respect we bestow upon LeBron should be equally extended to Jayland. I am currently working on a piece dedicated to him and his family.
Can you walk us through your creative process?
My creative process for paintings begins with sketches. I usually sketch late into the night after the rest of the house has gone to sleep. Being a night owl, I often stay awake until around 3 a.m., doodling or drawing and letting my imagination roam freely. The following day, I select my three favorite sketches from the page and transform them into fully realized pieces of artwork. On a typical day, I complete around three pieces.
As I create, I enjoy listening to audiobooks. My preferred genres are African American fiction, gangster narratives, romance, and mystery. My favorite authors include K'wan and Christian S. Jones.
When I shift my focus to jewelry-making, I continue to accompany my work with audiobooks. My designs often incorporate elements such as dried drippings from old paint or items I find in nature, allowing me to craft unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. My collectors appreciate the distinctiveness and originality this brings to their collections.
What impact do you hope your art has on the Akron community?
I hope my art fosters happiness, laughter, and a sense of unity. I aim for it to illuminate the importance of supporting Black creatives and women. My aspiration is that more funding opportunities will be available for schools to continue supplying art materials and fostering performing arts skills. Additionally, there should be funding for the community to engage in arts and crafts as a means of alleviating daily stressors. As I've mentioned before, art is therapeutic and I firmly believe it can play a significant role in improving mental health.
