"Cosmic Journey". Colored Pencil on Black Bristol Board, 18x24".

Jessica Gardner​
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Hello! I'm Jess and I love drawing, painting,

creativity, and helping others through art making.
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Nature is all around us; it is all around us and in all of us simultaneously.

This is why nature heavily influences my artwork. It is shared by all

people, yet it’s so fragile at the same time. I love drawing plants, flowers,

people, and animals for two reasons. One, people and plants share the earth

and cohabitate; two, plants, animals, and humans are all living creatures.

There seems to be a great divide between the planet and human beings;

humans live “on” the planet not “with” the planet. My work takes aim at

the equality of nature and human beings rather than the parasitic

relationship that is often seen between humans and the earth. The earth

and humankind should be as one and work off of each other.



Though my work tends to be heavily influenced by my love of plants,

​humans, and animals, I never limit myself to this theme alone. I think all

art communicates a narrative, even if it’s not intentional; I love exploring

different narratives and techniques to properly display them. My goal as

both an artist and eventual art therapist is to initiate the conversation of

the narratives of one's artwork and influence creativity. This is another

reason why I create work that takes inspiration from the natural world and

the interaction of humans and the planet; it can spark a conversation about

how the relationship between the earth and people should be mutualistic

with humans respecting the Earth and the Earth providing all for

humankind. In reality, the relationship is parasitic with humankind taking

​so much from the Earth, that we harm it and don’t give much support back.

One of the biggest impacts art can make is change because it starts a

conversation about a narrative whether said narrative is good or bad.



In the same respect, as a future art therapist, I want to provide a safe space for

all narratives, emotions, and experiences whether they are positive or

negative. I not only want my art to spark change, I want others' creativity

and art making to inspire change inside themselves and their lives. I think

​the most beautiful thing about art therapy is that all art is created with a

story in mind or a story can be derived from it. Art sparks personal

​metaphors in all people and my aim is for my art to do the same and spark

​conversations about improving the world as a whole.

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EDUCATION:
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I currently have an Art Therapy, undergraduate degree from Capital

University (Fall 2023). I plan on continuing my education to become a practicing

art therapist, commissioning artist, and humanitarian!