Tell us about yourself.

My journey as an artist has included explorations into many art forms… too many to list! Motivated by a desire to go more deeply into one of these disciplines, I found my way to jewellery art and design. Surrounded and supported by an amazing community of teachers and colleagues in the Jewellery Art and Design Program at Vancouver Community College, my volunteer involvement with the Vancouver Metal Arts Association, and employment at Juvelisto Design, I have been kept afloat in a time where my creative practice has not been as active as I would like it to be. During a time when my artistic journey has felt on pause, I’m eager to find my way back into the rhythms of creative expression that nourish my spirit.

What are some of the inspirations behind your work?

I have had artistic inclinations ever since I can remember. As a little girl, my favourite place to be was in my mom’s flower beds. I remember crouching over the marigolds, forget-me-nots, and blazing red poppies, enraptured by the patterns, colours, and shapes of these wondrous organisms.

When I was introduced to black and white photography in my Grade 11 Graphics Arts class, I found a way to apply myself artistically, and this began my explorations into multiple different art forms.

How would you want audiences to respond to your work?

To answer this question, I’ll quote a favourite teacher and mentor, Ashley Miller, who provided some valuable feedback on my work when I was in her class “Your work is very contemplative, personal, and intimate. From what I have seen you love all the little bits and pieces – and love the way they kind of bleed into the space around them, but also feel a compulsion to organize them, to compose, and order them…”

What are some other work that you’re involved in?

In all truth, I have recently allowed “everyday life” to squish out the things that feed my creative practice… To name but a few, these things include walking with no destination, free writing, singing, and “moodling”, a term described in the following quote by author Brenda Ueland “…imagination needs moodling – long, inefficient, happy idling, dawdling and puttering.” ~ Brenda Ueland

You can Jessica Atkinson’s wonderful jewellery pieces on display as part of the Being Seen, Being Heard, Having a Voice exhibit on now at the CCBC until March 14.

You can also see more of Jessica’s work on her Instagram at @jessaveronica