About Jessica R. Van Hulle

Artist’s Statement

The Style: Van Hulle specializes in creating unusual beauty, imbued with passion and conviction. Her work draws inspiration from rebellious American Subcultures and both Eastern and Western Art History.

Her dynamic use of luscious colors, dramatic light and shadow, and graphic silhouettes juxtaposes painting styles from the 1400's to the 1930's with a contemporary illustrative aesthetic.

She synthesizes artistic styles ranging from the late Renaissance, 19th Century Romanticism and Realism, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Vintage Advertising, Propaganda, and Pin-Up Art, Low Brow and Pop Surrealism.

The Point: She uses her traditional academic training to powerfully communicate through these images. Some are odes to beauty. Many invite re-evaluation of the constrictive mainstream aesthetics.

Themes of female beauty, body-image, sexuality, authenticity, and power are put into the historical context of the portrayal of women in art through the centuries.

In addition, some works feature socio-political observations from the clear eye of a Realist. Van Hulle's studies of personal and collective trauma recovery, psychology, spirituality, history, politics/economics, and sociology inspire her to create images to reveal, explore, and process our interwoven cultural systems.

Many works are a combination of all of the above. What they share is an evocation of intimacy; an invitation to connect, and perhaps be shifted, through resonating with the imagery and living energy of the piece.

Biography

Jessica Van Hulle was born in the middle of the night in San Francisco General Hospital in 1979 and grew up in Orinda, CA, with some time in Walnut Creek and Benicia as well.

Van Hulle began life-long studies of psychology, spirituality, mythology and world religions and became an avid reader of science-fiction and fantasy books in early adolescence. She frequently explored Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco, falling in love with city life. Staying on-brand, she majored in Illustration at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, with a focus on creating story and emotion in both sci-fi/fantasy illustration and traditional fine art figure painting.

She became a published freelance illustrator and also began exhibiting her fine art in Bay Area galleries in 2001. She received her B.F.A. in Illustration in May 2004.

In addition to Illustration and Fine Art, Van Hulle added Fashion Design to her creative repertoire in 2007. She designed Halloween costumes, accessories, lingerie and shoes both full-time at manufacturers and as a freelancer. Her client list includes industry-leading international manufacturers and retailers such as Party City.

Her professional experiences, artistic loves and philosophical interests culminated into launching her own art/design brand, “The Lady Jessica" in July of 2011."The Lady Jessica" women's apparel line was sold in the well-known San Francisco alternative apparel boutique, Distractions on Haight. However, despite such early success Van Hulle closed the wholesale fashion manufacturing branch of the business a few years later to refocus on personal development, freelance work, and fine art.

Van Hulle has been nationally honored for the fine draftsmanship and emotional richness of her fine art, celebrated as a Spotlight Featured Artist in "the Artist's Magazine", and has exhibited art in many galleries and alternative art spaces in New York, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas and more.

For more information email jvh@theladyjessica.com or use the Contact Form.