Meet Jessica Fraser | Artist, Creator

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

Hi Jessica, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
There have been plenty of days in the last several years when I have thought about giving up but then I ask myself “Would you be happy doing anything else?” and frankly nothing would. Of course it’s not always that simple, it’s taken me years to find that belief and faith in myself and my business to know that giving up isn’t even an option. But I think whatever your are doing, your heart has to be in it 100% and it has to light you up and bring you joy. If it doesn’t, then whats all the sacrifice, time and hard work worth? I actually tell myself all the time like an affirmation, “just keep going” especially when I feel overwhelmed, having a bad day/s or unsure of what to do next. Just keep going.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Baby Jess is magical art for the young at heart. It started out as a small collection of paintings inspired by my childhood art and has now grown into a universe of art filled with whimsical creatures, dreamworlds and all things lunar.

I think what sets me apart is my unique vision in creating art that reaches adults and kids alike in a way that is fantastical, playful and mysterious.

I am honestly most proud of Baby Jess, the art/business it is now and the direction it is taking. It has taken me years and years to find my true artistic vision and one that I believed in whole heartedly. It’s funny because I feel like when I was young I knew this was the art I wanted to create and I remember the feeling it gave me. It’s hard to explain but it was like this buzz of excitement, happiness and mystery. Then I grew older, went to school for art and over the years, life, school, growing up changed me and I lost that part of myself a bit. So when I reached back to my childhood, I reconnected with my younger self and why I wanted to be an artist and the art I wanted to create.

I think I overcame these challenges by never giving up and always pushing forward. You’ll eventually get where you need to be but you cant’ stop, and you have to have a lot of faith in yourself and the process. That’s one of the biggest lessons I have learned, is to believe in myself. Looking back in the years I have been pursuing becoming a full time artist, I’ve come to realize that so much of what did or didn’t do was because of fear and a lack of confidence. I have also learned that things take time, becoming a full time artist isn’t going to happen overnight. Invest in yourself, you craft, your business…why would anyone want to invest in you if you don’t invest in yourself? I ask myself this all the time.

What I want people to know about Baby Jess is that it is more than just art for the young at heart. Baby Jess is a universe filled with whimsical creatures and dreamworlds to remind us to stop and find the magic in our lives and within ourselves.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Lets see, if I were to take my best friend visiting the area I would definitely take them to the Denver Botanical Gardens. It is one of my favorite places in Denver and I love to hang out, picnic and paint there! I love the Immersive Exhibits and the Nature Science Museum. Rocky Mountain National Park is awesome, there are lots of great places to hike and I love the horseback rides. The Idaho Hot Springs are really cool and there’s a cidery in town that has the best mac and cheese. For food and drinks in Denver I would definitely go to Sushi Den, North Italia, Machete, Middleman and Hopdoddy just to name a few of my favs.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate this to my husband and family. Without their love, support, encouragement I do not know where I would be. They are my number one fans, they lift me up and have helped me believe in myself when I didn’t. They’re the best!

Website: babyjessart.com

Instagram: @babyjessart

Facebook: @babyjessart