**[Jessie Woodward](https://www.cohart.com/jessiewoodward/profile)** is an abstract painter and mixed media artist, based in Bristol. She studied Fine Art/Art History joint honours degree at University of Plymouth, going on to work in Art Education within the gallery and charity sectors. She has since become a full-time artist, practising for the last 8 years, exhibiting works throughout the UK and selling her vibrant pieces worldwide. 

Jessie’s instinctive way of working explores the language of paint, colour and mark making to evoke emotions in the viewer, aiming to communicate how pure abstract work can generate visual energetic joy and pleasure. 

The way Jessie experiments with materials, a vibrant colour palette and juxtaposing textures is key to making each piece vividly unique. She looks at the dynamics created when colours, marks, textures and ratios are set with and against each other to create a cohesive piece.

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##### Can you describe your artistic process? What materials and techniques do you typically use?

My work is purely abstract, focusing on the power of colour and mark-making. I suppose it is a form of instinctive painting, however decisions are also made along the way. It is a mix of ‘let’s see what happens’ and pondering for ages about what mark, colour or ‘blob’ the work is missing to bring it all together. 

I start by generally covering the whole canvas; this is where most of the instinctive bit comes through, playing with colours, consistencies and shapes. As I’ve moved forward as an Artist, I am forever evolving and becoming more confident in my mark-making, being bolder and less afraid of the outcome. I feel this is important to progress and find excitement in what I am doing. 

As confidence grows, we are less afraid of what will appear on the canvas. As well as brushwork, I now throw a lot of paint around, loosening my mark-making. I have used my son’s water pistol to explore applying paint in different ways. Splatting and dripping paint, holding it upside down, and painting on the floor, all different techniques to continue that element of play and exploration.

##### What themes or concepts are you most passionate about exploring in your work?

I have a passion for colour! Throughout my career as a painter, one of my clear aims has been to challenge myself and make work which is as bright as I can make it, without tipping over the edge into being ‘garish’. There still has to be balance, also a slight sense of harmony and cohesion that sits alongside the bold, vivid colour palette. I often like to explore this with fluorescent colours and a huge range of colour spectrums. I am drawn to pink, even trying to deliberately steer away from it at times, to test myself, but end up coming back, with pink dominating a lot in my work. I think because there is such a broad spectrum of tones and shades with this colour, it offers complexity and endless possibility. 

##### How do your personal experiences influence your art?

Becoming a parent had a massive influence on my art and caused a huge career shift for the better. It was partly down to having my first son, who is now 8, for getting back into my own practice. I studied Art throughout school and university; however, my own practice was forgotten in my 20s as I spent time in London trying to figure out what I was doing, probably not helped by having 4 parttime jobs. 

When I reached 30, I started to get a physical itch to do my own practice again and paint! For me, it worked out well with my maternity leave, one hand holding a paint brush, one foot on a baby bouncer. I learnt to work quickly, snatching any little moment I had to put paint to canvas, in between feeds and soothing a baby. This definitely influenced my boldness with colour, and line, there wasn’t a lot of time to think about it. I also went straight onto canvas, with minimal sketchbook work. My practice has continued to develop this way, with little planning, mostly about exploring and experimenting—each canvas influencing the next. I still don’t keep a sketchbook, and use sheets of paper just to change up the surface or size, all becoming mini works in themselves. 

##### Who are some of your biggest artistic influences, and how have they shaped your practice?
 
I have always been excited by the 1950s abstract expressionists, with my favourite being Gillian Ayres. I have been a fan of her work since I was a teenager. I was dragged around Galleries from a young age, and always loved seeing huge, bold abstract artworks. This has definitely influenced my yearning to do large scale pieces, covering walls! However with the powers of Instagram, it is also such a joy to see the work of Artists today! Some of my current favourites are Lindsay Mapes, Felicity Kelham, and Callum Youde. 

##### How do you define success as an artist? What does it look like for you?

Now this is a tricky one! There’s different types of success, especially within the vast world of Art. Some of us are in the privileged position of making our passion our career, or trying to make it our career! Does recognition for your work make you a success? Although recognition doesn't always come with the financial stability to continue your practice. The answer is ‘I don't really know!’ I’m constantly questioning my path as an Artist and I think most of us are. I’m grateful that I can call this my career. However, it means constantly developing myself as a person and as a business to keep it going, as well as staying true to my practice and producing works that I love. I think I am always striving for the next mini successful moment!

##### How do you engage with your audience, and what do you hope they take away from your work?

My work demands an immediate response, which is usually like Marmite, you either love it or hate it! I really want the audience to engage with exactly what they see and how it makes them feel: with a rawness; how basic elements of colour, texture and mark making can have an effect on a person. I want the simplicity of these elements to create layers of complexity, and ultimately the viewer can take what they want, or need, from a piece. I hope to convey confidence, energy, power, joy, and expression. 

I purposely don’t name my works, only number them. This reduces any influence over the viewers' experience. I don’t want to disrupt their initial response to a piece. My work shows us how we can have gut reactions to art that may be purely made up of lines, marks, shapes, and colour, and the power of these elements as the subject and focus of the work. 

##### What challenges have you faced in your artistic career, and how have you overcome them?

Well, firstly just working out how to run a business! They didn’t teach you this at Art School 19 years ago, unsure whether they do now. It’s a constant learning process, and that’s why the Art community is so valuable, helping each other along the way with practical, logistical, and emotional support. This also includes, sadly, trying to figure out what opportunities are worth it or even real, with many an art scam about at the moment! Instagram has been an amazing tool to independent Artists, though it has come with its downsides, sifting through the scams and avoiding the people who are just trying to take advantage or rob you. But I have found as I move further in my career, confidence grows and you become more aware of what is real, and what isn’t.   

##### In what ways (if any) do you think art can contribute to social change or address current issues in society?

Art is the main tool we have as humans to communicate, express, engage in conversion, debate, raise awareness, come together and build communities. It can be used as a tool to educate and encourage an open mind. All these elements help towards social change and dealing with issues amongst our communities and the wider world.  

Art is part of how we function as humans, and I would say it more than contributes towards social change, it's the main reason we can be successful in making changes. Perhaps that’s why we’re in such a mess at the moment, with arts opportunities having been squashed in our communities and schools for the past 10 years…? It’s about time we focussed more on all sectors of the Arts to improve our lives locally and internationally.

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Jessie Woodward's vibrant, instinctive abstract paintings use bold colours, textures, and marks to evoke joy and emotional energy in the viewer.

Spotlight: Jessie Woodward on Embracing Boldness and the Joy of Process

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