Jessica Zoob – Contemporary Artist

“I think the world needs more female energy. To embrace a passion for protection and nurturing rather than power and destruction.” Jessica Zoob

Jessica was all warmth and smiles when she welcomed us to her airy, light filled studio near Lewes on a perfect September day as her lovely daughter Kat served us delicious elderflower spritzers. “Just enjoy the space, feel free to move things around and have a creative afternoon” she urged showing me a box filled with aqua vintage bottles. How perfect!

I have followed Jessica on Instagram for a number of years so it was an absolute delight to be invited to her studio with some other wonderfully creative women to preview her new collection, inspired by her travels in Asia. “I think if we find like minded souls and work together with integrity and passion, we can achieve miracles” she told us in her welcoming speech. As someone who usually works by collaborating with other creatives, I completely agree with this sentiment.

The studio is an oasis of light filled calm. I was immediately drawn to the gentle, soothing colour palettes of soft pastels. I think if I had one of these canvases installed in my house I would endlessly waft around on a cloud of serenity.

The studio was filled with an abundance of summer florals which Jessica urged us to move around and use whatever props we wanted to create some imagery. Oh joy! And she has the best collection of chippy chairs.

Look at this chair and floor. An inspiration in themselves. Joyful, accidental pieces of art.

It was so lovely to catch up with instagram friends and meet some new ones too. This is lovely Lola who kindly offered to hold up a hydrangea bloom for me. I’m used to it she told me. Well, her Mum is Tamsyn Morgans so I guess she would be! Isn’t it the perfect colour for this layered textural canvas.

Every corner was filled beautiful canvases and I just loved these dreamy blues. Faraway, magical lands both familiar and imagined.

Jessica has started painting a series of smaller canvases from her studio in HongKong where she lives for part of the year. She travels extensively around Asia and the inspiration is ever present in her work.

There were so many pretty details to photograph and I’m always fascinated to see the artists colours, the brushes, the paint covered tabletops and splattered floors. The story behind the finished work.

After an hour or so of creativity, chatter and catching up with Instagram friends we were served a delicious lunch by local kitchen Seven Sisters Spices and the most scrumptious vegan cakes afterwards.

Jessica’s work often have evocative titles  ‘A place to dream’, ‘Gentle rain’, ‘Thoughtful’, ‘Glimpse’ and appeal to our emotional sensibilities. What we feel when we look at them is possibly what she was feeling when she painted them. Complex emotions and experiences that make up life are poured in to her art.

“I believe humans need beauty and hope and that true art can transcend time and distance and that if we look carefully we will find inspiration everywhere”.

It wasn’t difficult to feel inspired in this tranquil, light filled space surrounded by beautiful art. “We live in troubled times and that now more than ever we need to look towards the light. To celebrate and help each other. To encourage and to keep the faith that there is always sunshine after the rain” 

‘INSPIRED BY ASIA’ Jessica has an open studio this weekend 21st-22nd September 2019 at Banff Farm, Upper Clayhill, East Sussex, BN8 5RR 12-6pm. Everyone is welcome with no pressure at all to buy and no appointment necessary. Original miniatures from £700 and limited edition prints from £69

Thank you for the preview Jessica. As well as your gorgeous work you can tell I was rather inspired by these fading hydrangeas too (not to mention all your pretty chairs).

Janne x