We sat down to chat with Jessica Rose Bird, an award-winning Scottish artist and London-based fashion illustrator.
Formerly in the fashion industry, Jessica became a full-time artist in 2018, now focusing on capturing the energy and stillness of the moving body. Her expressive strokes breathe life into her subjects with vibrant paint, colourful chalk pastels, and willow charcoal.
We love the vibrancy Jessica brings to her work, and how she added her unique touch to our be well edit.
TBS: Can you tell us about your background and how you got started as an artist?
JRB: I studied fashion design at Grays School of Art in Aberdeen, Scotland before I worked in the industry for a few years in various roles. I was life drawing in my spare time as a way to relax, I started drawing fashion again and gradually started building a portfolio of work and clients, set up a website and shop. Over time I managed to go part time as the scales tipped and eventually I was able to give up my job in fashion and go full time as an artist.
TBS: Who or what are your biggest influences?
JRB: Artistically, Egon Schiele, Joan Eardley, Picasso, Chantal Joffe, Matisse to name a few.
TBS: Is there a particular experience or moment that inspired you to become an artist?
JRB: My uncle Stephen Bird, who is an incredible ceramicist and artist was influential in my childhood in showing me the potential for a creative life. I used to be in awe visiting his studio. My mum was also very encouraging and I was constantly creating and crafting as a kid.
TBS: How do your personal experiences and environment influence your artwork?
JRB: My work centres around connection, whether that be to the subject, to the model, my environment, my body, myself…regardless of what i’m drawing, whether that be the mountains of Scotland or backstage at a fashion show, the focus is to be present in that moment and to establish that connection.
TBS: How do you decide on the themes and subjects of your work?
JRB:I just draw who/what i'm interested in, I've always been particularly drawn to interesting faces/characters and energy. Energy is super important for me, drawing is a very physical activity, i’m using my whole body and my energy is in response to my subject, an exchange and that is what I hope to translate and capture on the page.
TBS: Do you have any rituals or routines that you follow when creating art or help you throughout your day?
JRB: I do a daily “mood drawing” when I get to the studio at the beginning of the day. I try to let go of any expectations for the outcome and just allow myself to make marks and put something down on the page - a completely free drawing/free writing process. I also do lots of blind drawing and continuous line drawing exercises focussing only on the subject and not on the page until the drawing is “complete” It's almost a meditative process.
TBS: How do you handle creative blocks or moments of doubt?
JRB: I go to a gallery, buy a good fashion magazine, do a life drawing class, get out for a walk in nature. I don’t find it helpful to sit in the studio worrying, you have to refill the cup with inspiration so to speak.
TBS: What messages or emotions do you hope to convey through your art?
JRB: Energy, freedom.
TBS: We love colour at the beauty standard, how do you choose your colour palette?
JRB: It’s now fairly intuitive I think but I’m inspired by colour palettes in the everyday, on my daily walks, in nature, old paint on walls, construction sites and machinery, designers such as JW Anderson and Roksanda.
TBS: Can you share a memorable experience or highlight from your career so far?
JRB: Someone I met once told me that discovering my art had changed their life by inspiring them to quit their job, follow their passion and be more creative.
I put on a charity solo show last year where I created 60 fashion artworks, all from life illustrating from live models and working with a vintage archive + a number of fashion stylists. Seeing so many people at the opening was a really incredible moment, recognising the work that had gone into it and how supportive people were. I also that same week worked with Versace to create the show teasers for their latest fashion show. That was a pinch me moment.
I put on a charity solo show last year where I created 60 fashion artworks, all from life illustrating from live models and working with a vintage archive + a number of fashion stylists. Seeing so many people at the opening was a really incredible moment, recognising the work that had gone into it and how supportive people were. I also that same week worked with Versace to create the show teasers for their latest fashion show. That was a pinch me moment.
TBS: What are your future plans and upcoming projects?
JRB: At the moment i'm working towards a show in October inspired by a recent trip to Sri Lanka.
TBS: Amazing we can't wait to see, What advice would you give to aspiring artists?
JRB: Experiment, discover your style, focus on your own journey, keep looking ahead don’t waste energy looking sideways at what others are doing. It’s okay if your style evolves - it’s suppose to.
TBS: What is a typical day like for you?
JRB: Wake up, coffee in bed, morning pages (IYKYK), walk through Abney Park to the studio, admin in the morning, lunch on the decking with studio friends, afternoon and evening to work on any projects/new work.
TBS: What other interests or hobbies do you have outside of art?
JRB: Boxing, ceramics, nature, music.
TBS: What attracted you to The Beauty Standard?
JRB: The colour combinations of the boxes are so my vibe and the products are amazing!
TBS: What has been your favourite product in your be_well box and why?
JRB: Between being covered in art materials and boxing my nails are certainly put through their paces so i’m loving the Shoreditch Nails nail varnish and the Manicurist cuticle oil,
Jessica received our be_Well box which you can purchase here.