Interview
Jessica Miglioranza
Jessica is a self-taught, Gold Coast-based, artist who works mainly with seashells. The love of this media came from long sunny days spent at the beach with her husband and their children, the excitement of seeing a beautiful shell always lit up their faces. The beauty in the natural form of these sea treasures is what inspires her to create her artworks. Working with the curves of each shell to manifest a beautiful pattern, she wants to make people ‘feel’ when they see her art. She wants to create touchable, textural art that draws your fingertips in to caress. Working on different pieces, coming up with something really unique that captures the essence of the media, is her passion.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I grew up in country, Victoria, with my parents and twin sisters. Both of my parents were very creative, my dad and I spent a lot of time in the shed crafting and making things out of timber and steel. My childhood best friend was one of the main art influences in my life, he was exceptionally talented and we spent years creating and exploring art together. Our high school art teacher was incredibly encouraging and visionary, guiding us to try so many different aspects of art, which really cemented in my love of art and being able to express myself creatively. My mother and her family were very established artists in various mediums, but it was my fathers vision of being able to create anything that truly saw me fall in love with creating. I’ve been truly so lucky to have been always surrounded by so many positive, encouraging family and friends.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“My art is aimed at promoting the beauty that mother nature creates. The incredible structure of the seashell and curves of every unique shell is so stunning. Working with such an intricate beautiful medium, I want viewers to be taken on a journey of textural discovery, celebrating the form in a new and interesting way.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“Depending on the piece, I do both. With some of my larger mandala style pieces, I will seek inspiration for the world around me, architectural buildings provide many inspiring patterns, particularly stain glass windows. Also some cultural symbols can provide some beautiful patterns. These pieces, I will sketch a design before I start to give me an idea of how it will flow. With some of my pieces, I just let the shells create the pattern, and literally create it as I lay them down, which is how some of my most popular patterns have come to life.”
Are there any art world trends you are following?
“I am absolutely loving colour at the moment. It’s been something I have forever feared and never been bold enough to play with. The textural acrylic medium is so interesting and seeing what artists are creating with beautiful thick lashings of paint is so exciting. But then, on the complete opposite side of the spectrum, I love the super realism paintings, I can absolutely appreciate the effort and heart that goes into creating those perfection attaining pieces. Ceramics is also a medium I am very interested in. I’m a very curious person and love seeing and learning new ways of creating art, forever the student of this art world, soaking up everything that art can offer.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“Every piece I make is fully hand made by myself. From the bases, to the design, to every single individual shell. It’s all me. I use local businesses for my materials and use only sustainably sourced shells.”
“The incredible structure of the seashell and curves of every unique shell is so stunning. Working with such an intricate beautiful medium, I want viewers to be taken on a journey of textural discovery, celebrating the form in a new and interesting way.”
What does your art mean to you?
“My art means so much to me, its freedom, its passion, its challenging, its love, its life. Being able to lose myself in a piece gives my creative mind that release and satisfaction I need. Doing what I love everyday is so enjoyable, the freedom it gives me and the joy it brings is unexplainable. The connections I have had with clients, colleagues and strangers because of my art is the silver lining. My art allows me to integrate my family life into my work life seamlessly, my children love creating with me and my husband is so encouraging. I enjoy making art so much, it’s truly a passion of mine and it’s something I have to do.”
What’s your favorite artwork and why?
“I don’t have a favourite, I love and enjoy so many artists that are completely different. One of my all time favourite series would have to be Brett Whiteley’s ‘Beach’ series. The colours, curves and composition is just so interesting and inspiring. I am absolutely in awe of Michael Zavros and it’s a dream of mine to one day own one of his jumping horses. His work is breathtaking. Then, someone who I can’t stop watching is Caleb Schwab, I love where he goes with his art and how he deals with the varying critics. His colours are stunning.”
