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

Hi Jessica, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started the Library of Marshall Arts to set an intention, to myself, that I wasn’t going to set the creator in me aside. I will forever move through life as an artist; like ‘mom’, it’s simply a part of who I am. It’s a dream to share my interpretations of nature as artworks. I named it a Library rather than a gallery or… Just Me because I’m a writer as well, my first released works were ON books. My thinking has been that words are to books are to a Library as paint is to a canvas to a gallery. Library is a gallery, filled with imagined worlds. Sounded right to me!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I feel like such an onion! Layers of years, experiences, both professional and personal are all pulling me forward as an artist. Creating every day is meditative and invigorating and I am watching my work evolve as I evolve. I’ve been moving more loosely and leaving intentional, playful, vague spaces in my compositions to allow the viewer to insert themselves within the piece; to interact with it as the interpretations are filled in with the viewers eye. My goal is to convey the possibilities, the restorative, uplifting, and temporary qualities within nature. I feel my very best with paint on my brush, or sunned sweat on my brow. I want you to remember feeling that good when you see one of my pieces. I want you to connect with a memory of being outside, in awe of how amazing the view is.

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.
In 2024?, I’d start with a trip to the Loveland Public Library to see ALL the works, including one from The Library of Marshall Arts, as a part of their Art Advocacy and Art in Public Places exhibit. The many sculpture gardens are always worth a walk around town then back to Longmont for lunch on the roof at The Roost and maybe an evening walk from home to Happy Cow on the corner of Roosevelt Park.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Everyone on the Board and the supporting team with the Longmont Artists’ Guild, Brian with Boulder Fine Art Reproductions, Michelle Reid, an artist out of Canada who has been my quiet mentor, nudging me along without really even knowing it, Jacque Michelle Studios in Boulder, Ashlee Burke at LoveJoy Photography is AMAZING, The Loveland Arts in Public Places team, East Boulder County Artists, and my loves J and A. None of this would be here without y’all.

Website: www.libraryofmarshallarts.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libraryofmarshallarts/

Image Credits
LoveJoy Photos, Ashlee Burke

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