Meet Jessica M. Chaix | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica M. Chaix and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
Art is changing all the time! With all social media, there is really nothing that is a secret. Everything is out there: techniques, mediums, styles, EVERYTHING is exposed. However, the difference between one Art piece and another, is from the artist’s side, the mastering of the media and what the Art piece means to you. The feeling it gives you, what it expresses, and the perception you get from it. The usage of mediums, colors, or techniques can apparently be the same, but the final result of them tells a different story. Mastering a medium or a technique is a unique experience that shows practice and expertise. It allows the artist to speak to you and transmit all the hours of experimentation, frustration, studies, feelings, etc. This is a unique voice that only a specific piece of Art has inside it. Anyone can paint or draw, but what makes a difference is the passion that an artist has to pursue their dreams. To find their own voice, their true style, and try to develop something new. Find something intriguing, a new way to express, and for a lot of years, to be on the search to keep learning, working, expressing, exhibiting, to take rejection, and to be over the moon when a piece sells, is the best feeling. There can be a lot of copies or imitations of a piece of Art, or a style of Art, but it’s never going to be the same. Each artist has their own voice, soul, and experiences. If their work is professional, it shows, if it has personality, it depicts about the artist himself.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It all started as a Hobby, similarly to more than 20 years ago, wanting to learn and paint something pretty or decorative for my home. Soon friends started to ask for art and I started making something for them and offering to pay. I almost felt ashamed to charge, I did not have any business intentions. It was just fun and felt like an opportunity for growth, and of course I felt honored they liked my work. I continued studying and taking classes, experimenting, creating, and then I came to live to the US, where I continued to develop and also started selling to friends that asked for it. As I was hoarding Art, I started looking for venues to show them. I already felt I had more experience as an artist as I participated in some contests, won prizes and felt confident to apply to stores, galleries, and started my first exhibits here in the US. To this date, I have more than 20 years of experience as a professional Artist. It has been a journey trying and experimenting with a lot of mediums, materials, and techniques. I’ve had a lot of teachers and influences during these years, relentlessly trying to develop as an artist. This is a never ending journey and in the recent years, this is when I really feel a NEED to find my unique voice. To find an expression of myself as an artist in a unique way. To not just make “pretty” Art (I do that too), but something that really expresses myself, my soul, my journey, and my experiences. I’m restless about this. This is a never ending experience, with lots of ups and downs, one day you feel the best Artist ever, other days, not at all. Rejection is a big part of the journey, not every space is a good fit for your Art, and that’s ok, you just keep going!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
It would depend on their age and interests. But one of my favorite breakfast places is Ida Claire, so that would be a good start. I would also may take them to do some shopping, it could be Northpark mall, or Legacy shops. Another thing I love to do is take visitors to Art galleries at Dragon Street, or to the Dallas Museum if Art. For dinner our favorite places are Town Hearth, R + D kitchen and Fogo de Chao Dallas,

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m absolutely grateful to every single person, decorator, business and Gallery that has believe in me and supported my Art. Also to every Artist that has inspired me or teach me, every single one of them has been part of my growth and formation, has influenced my work. And most of all, I’m grateful to my family, I’m blessed with a husband that understands and support my passion, he has given me his time, his advice, and total freedom to fly and pursue my dreams.

Website: www.jessicamchaix.com
Instagram: Jesschaixart
Twitter: Jess Chaix
Facebook: Jesschaix

Image Credits
First main picture credit: Vanessa Gavalya