Jessica Ziegler
Bio
I am a New York City native who left a career in technology in 2016 to become a professional artist. I grew up in a family of artists, and am eternally grateful for it — to my mother, the painter, for her wonderful sense of color and light; and to my father, the architect and sculptor, for an appreciation of three-dimensional form and of the built environment. I have studied drawing, watercolor, pastel and oil at the New York Academy of Art, The Art Students League, 92N, and The New York School of the Arts.
Artist Statement
As a native New Yorker surrounded by the incredible variety and energy of the city, I generally seek out the details and ‘small moments’ when light and shadow reveal unexpected beauty in ordinary objects or overlooked landscapes. My paintings often show urban scenes and architecture from unusual perspectives and with dramatic lighting in order to focus the viewers’ attention on the craft and subtle colors of easily overlooked elements of the urban environment. In addition, I seek out elements of the urban environment where nature and man interact — neglected corners where nature has reasserted itself among the steel and stone of the city. I paint primarily in oils and frequently make use of layers of thin glazes to achieve the depth of color I want. I think this approach is partly informed by the years I spent working in watercolor, where layering washes results in beautiful, visually complex colors. I strive to create images that resonate when seen from a distance, but also contain enough detail – and mystery – to capture the viewer’s attention close up and over time.
Exibition Gallery
