Artist Statement

In her fine art practice, Jessica primarily worked in oil, and now creates with watercolour on canvas. Her imagery reflects her experiences as a Mi’kmaq woman, a mother, and a partner. They are often reflective, and poetic, and contain echoes of patterns unique to the Mi’kmaq people, and of the animals and traditional items that have continuing meaning.

Biography

Jessica Jerome a recent graduate of the Graphic Design Diploma program at Nova Scotia Community College was born in Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation. She was adopted at birth by the Jerome family in Gesgapegiag, and is a member of the Micmacs of Gesgapegiag Band, located on the banks of the Gaspe Coast, QC. As a teenager, she met her biological mother Linda Barnaby, who was a hobbyist artist who would create pieces of work with only a pencil she created the logo for Listuguj Haven House. Just three years after they met, Linda died of cervical cancer at the age of 38. Jessica’s adoptive parents Doris and Peter Jerome enrolled her into an introduction to oil painting course as a way of dealing with grief. Jessica began painting her dreams and emotions, first starting to learn how to paint landscapes, with that quickly developing into painting traditional Aboriginal imagery, but with her own contemporary vision.

Jessica’s professional art training includes study at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design where she received her Certificate in Foundation of Visual Arts. She also received her Certificate in Applied Media and Communication Arts from Nova Scotia Community College. Graduated from the Waterfront Campus Nova Scotia Community College’s Graphic Design Diploma in June 2016.

Jessica has been in several galleries engaging from Quebec City to Nova Scotia. Jessica’s work is owned privately in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Germany, and her work has appeared in several art shows.