Meet Jessica Moran | Abstract Painter

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

Hi Jessica, how do you think about risk?
When I think about risk it reminds me of that quote by Lewis Carrol, “The only things we regret in life are the chances we didn’t take.” You have to take chances and risks in life or you’ll never know what could have happened. Becoming an artist has always felt somewhat risky, but that’s never stopped me from pursuing what feels truly authentic for myself. If anything it pushed me to work harder. And when that voice of doubt sneaks into the back of my mind and I think of society’s ideas about the “starving artist,” I just keep going and remember something my Dad once told me, “Do what you love and the money will follow.” I’m definitely taking a chance each time I put my brush to the canvas to create something new to share with people. The fear of criticism is very real, you never know how people might react to the work you’re making, but moving past that fear to see what’s on the other side is definitely worth the risk. Life doesn’t hand out guarantees so I make choices that I feel most strongly and passionately about, risk or not. Of course there is always a chance it won’t work out, but in the end I want to be able to say, I gave it my best.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about.
Most painters paint on a primed canvas, but I keep my canvas unprimed so the paint can soak into the fibers. I was inspired by Helen Frankenthalers soak stain painting technique from the abstract expressionist movement in the 1950’s. I also recently started cutting my paintings into pieces and sewing them back together to make new compositions. Currently I’m most excited to be working on a body of work for my first solo show at The LookUp gallery in March 2023. I will have about 10-12 large scale pieces ranging from 36in x 36in to 48in x 72in. I’ve been thinking alot about our relationships with color and how it’s tied to our memories and experiences. Most of my thoughts about my work come to me after the painting is done, but that idea has been in the back of my mind most recently while I work. I started pursuing painting seriously just a couple years ago, but it’s something I’ve always known I would do and things seem to be progressing at a good speed so I feel like I’m on the right path. It definitely hasn’t been easy, there are always feelings of doubt, but I’ve learned to take one step at a time and keep showing up everyday. I tell myself, don’t’ worry about the outcome, just make the work.

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.
Colorado Springs has so many great old and new spots to check out. Our weekly coffee and breakfast burrito lineup would include Story, Carnelian, Loyal, Kinship Landing and the Wild Goose Meeting house. We’d head to Old Colorado City and downtown to browse the local shops like Heart Shake Studios, Eclectic, Surface, and Yobel for local and sustainable handmade goods and art. The best lunch, dinner, and drink list would include; Crystal park Cantina, Slice 42o pizza, Dos Santos, Almagre, The Garden, Trails End Taproom, Ivywild, and of course Josh and John’s for ice cream! And you can’t visit Colorado Springs without checking out the outdoor fun such as Garden of the Gods, Red Rocks Open Space and the Manitou Incline. Lastly, and my personal favorite is the local galleries; G44, Krueser, The Lookup Gallery, The Space, CottonWood Center for the Arts, The Manitou Arts Center, The Fine Arts Center, and the Ents Center for the Arts.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh, gosh! So many people. My family has always been incredibly supportive. I’m also super thankful to the Colorado Springs art community and specifically The Space, G44, Kreuser, Surface and The LookUp gallery for allowing me the opportunity to show my work with them. They have all created such a wonderful art community and I’m very thankful to be a part of it.

Website: www.jesmoran.com

Instagram: jesdmoran