Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Wood.
Jessica, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Communication is not my strong suit. I always felt like I was different growing up but could never put my finger on why. I had a very hard time connecting with my peers & frequently got bullied. I was diagnosed with a panic disorder, OCD and social anxiety by age 13. I was very introverted as a teenager and turned my attention towards drawing & painting. Around the birth of my first child, I started shooting everyday documentary scenes to capture all the precious memories that go by so fast. Documentary bloomed into family photography, birth, and newborn portraiture. I loved what I did, but I wasn’t 100% happy with my choice in those genres. My heart wasn’t all the way in it. At 28 I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. After accepting this diagnose everything in my life, my thoughts, feelings and my unique worldview fell into place. I decided to stop masking and show the world my true self. My art is how I communicate with the world.
I have three children that keep me pretty busy, but I still find time to paint and photograph. My oldest two children have been diagnosed with ASD as well. They see the world through rose-colored glasses like me, and I wouldn’t change a thing about them or me. We are perfect the way we are. People tend to be so quick to point out the ugly in the world, but all I see is the light in them. I teach them every day that everyone is different. Everyone is beautiful & everyone deserves love and respect in their life.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do? Why? And what do you hope others will take away from your work?
“What am I going to create today?” is my usual thought as I am waking up. I use paint and portraiture as my median. My style is very eclectic & quirky. I tend to gravitate towards the road less traveled, less safe. Thinking outside of the box. I would like to inspire other artists to think differently, to not scared to try something new and to not take criticism so harshly. Art is so subjective, and life isn’t that serious. So just have fun with it.
I really came into my own in my early twenties when I started modeling. I loved being a part of the creative process, and it made me feel beautiful & strong. I am passionate about doing the same for other women. I like to portray women as strong yet feminine beings that can do anything, be anything. Self-confidence is what I want them to walk away with after a session with me. To feel beautiful and confident in their own skin, how they were born, no matter how different they are from the societal norm. Sometimes I use paint to create an abstract and unique portrait, giving them a unique and fun experience. I love to work with people of all genres & backgrounds.
Fine art & creative portraiture is also a passion of mine, storytelling through a photograph.
My work with medically fragile and ailing children is probably the portraiture I am most proud of. I turn them into superheroes and show them as strong physically as they are mentally. My heart goes out to these children that fight so hard every day just to survive. And the incredible families that dedicate their lives taking care of these children. These children leave my studio with a little piece of my heart. I believe everyone is beautiful in their own way. Everyone is different. Everyone is beautiful.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
The conditions are bad, to be honest. In this day and age of quick consumption and goldfish memories, a lot of talented artists are being pushed aside for something quick, cheap and easy. Especially for female artists, we are often underpaid & undervalued for the same amount of work as a male artist of the same caliber would be considered. In these conditions us “mom”tographers are often forced to undervalue & overwork ourselves in hopes of retaining a client, driving the market down for everyone else.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I am on Instagram and Facebook. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/woodphotographyjessica/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/woodphotographyllc/ I also have a website, www.woodphotographyllc.com I’d like people to support me through supporting others. Just being positive and happy towards someone else can really make a difference in someone’s life. I donate “Superhero sessions” for medically fragile & ailing children using my own limited time and resources.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.woodphotographyllc.com
- Email: woodphotographyllc@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodphotographyllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodphotographyjessica/
Image Credit:
woodphotography llc
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
