Interview
Jessica Rose Licata
Jessica started creating as far back as she can remember, managing to put a “voice” to the madness in her mind. She’s always been that of a creative mind, be it in her imagination, love, fear, addiction. Anything that was put in front of her, she has tried to make into art of some form. Jessica was born in Mt. Kisco, NY but raised in the affluent town of Greenwich, where she struggled to fit in. That gave her another reason to create, be it in her mind, on canvas or writing. The ups and downs of her life have been a catalyst for her creation. Each piece she paints, every movement she makes, each tool she uses has her whole heart in it, has every emotion that she cannot verbalize.
Jessica’s reason for creating, beyond the help she received from it, is to show humans that no matter what, we can bring light to our pasts, we can create beauty out of the darkest places, and we can live through absolutely everything that is put in front of us. She tries to speak, paint and write from her heart, always, with no filters, no boundaries, no limitations. Giving back and service are things that make her shine, make her heart smile like nothing else. Jessica has a few Not for profits like Thanksgiving in Harlem, that light up her world. She is also the CoFounder of Equalshuman, a sustainable, art based clothing brand centered in creating safe spaces for all creatives to rise up.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My background is life - all of the trials and tribulations. The desire to translate my pain into light is what started my magnificent descent into the art world more than 30 years ago.”
What inspires you?
“People living life to the fullest and authentically! Nature and all her raw beauty reminds me of the raw deep dark nights of the soul that rip my heart wide open leaving a door of never ending possibility!”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I’m not sure that I follow a theme - as I hate boxes, or labels or titles or themes- but raw brilliant life seems like a perfect theme to me!”
How would you describe your work?
“True. Raw. Deep. Potent. Leaving each human the ability to bring into their mind what it means for them, not me.”
Which artists influence you most?
“People influence me the most. I think every living being is an artist, creating the symphony of our lives. The sun and the moon influence me in a way that is indescribable by words, only by the canvas, that every day is a new, that every moment deserves presence, reminding me that I deserve presence.”
“People influence me the most. I think every living being is an artist, creating the symphony of our lives.”
What is your creative process like?
“Humbling. Unwinding. Challenging. Rebirthing. Acknowledging and then honoring me at the end! Recently, I started a project, painting about 50 feet of cotton fabric for a clothing collection - in this project it was physical, emotional, beautiful, a battle, a surrender and a release. This time, I honored myself like I have never before and the results where astounding. I was fully present in every single moment and danced with the canvas as I threw the paint while simultaneously throwing off my body mind and soul decades of hurt pain and fear, blessing it all while it was removed from my body forever. I lived in that painting for three full days acknowledging all that came up, all that transpired transmuting it back into the earth. I then took a bath - to honor my bones. This was the truest form of honoring what my creative process is.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“To be true. Raw. Deep. To shine alight in the areas that hasn't had light in years, to shine a light on the good the bad and the nothing. To lift up the collective by staying true and authentic to yourself and your dreams. For when we honor ourselves, we honor all.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have had a few pretty successful exhibitions that have allowed me to do even more of the projects I love so much, the projects where I auction off my art for the higher good- for children that need music, art, role models. For humans that need mental health guidance, for humans that need help coming home from prison, to humans effected by the LA fires. These give back pieces are the ones that move me the most. I feel art is a necessary and huge part of the world, I feel like it can be used from so much good and it's just getting started! I feel like the world is catching on with the good that can be done with art.”
