By Darcy Hickey
Staff Writer
It is clear by just looking at artist Jessie Abrams’ apartment that she is not the only one in the house who likes to create.
An array of creativity is displayed in her kitchen through the beautiful sketches titled “Moses” and “Madonna” placed on the cabinets, the unique Chinese lanterns hanging above the table and the Christmas lights placed over the counter. In the living room, rich red curtains are draped over the windows, colorful fabrics cover the couch and a Halloween pumpkin painted by all three roommates sits, on the coffee table.
Abrams favorite part of the apartment, though, is the little art studio set up in the living room comprised of a desk, two chairs, a collection of art books, and all the paint supplies one would ever need.
“Living with three other artists is amazing inspiration,” Abrams said. “We do art as a community. It is our life, not just a side job.”
Abrams has been developing her creative side since she was very young.
“My parents taught me from the time I was born to look at things creatively,” she said. “Now it is something innate; it is instilled in my character.”
Abrams has a great appreciation for her parents. She is astounded by their support for her choice in lifestyle.
“How many parents say, ‘You may not make much money in this choice of work, but if it is your passion, go for it’?” she said. “They also give me such an amazing sense of hope and confidence that I will be successful in this very competitive industry.”
Abrams has shared the creativity she gained from her family with her longtime friend and roommate, Ashley Miller.
“Jessie has always been an inspiration to me as an artist, because she is always so very creative,” Miller said. “I remember making doll clothes and paper bag shoes with her when we were only 8 years old.”
Since she was young, Abrams has painted all types of furniture from chairs to picture frames. Being accustomed to this freedom, as a freshman at Pepperdine she painted a giant mural on her friend’s dorm room wall.
At the end of the year she was asked to paint over it, but she felt that the satisfaction she felt through putting her heart into such a great project was more than worth the trouble it took to re-paint it.
After three years as an art major at Pepperdine, Joe Piasentin, her art instructor, asked Abrams if she would paint a piece for the science division.
She was honored at his proposal and gladly accepted the offer. In the summer, she met with science professors Dr. Jay Brewster and Dr. Donna Nofziger-Plank to choose an image for the project.
After looking through many pictures, Abrams finally decided that the image of cells performing mitosis would be recognizable to both scientists and the lay observer. To help those who are not familiar with this process, she included captions of the different stages of mitosis.
The painting was not a piece of cake for Abrams, however. She was used to working on little blocks of canvas small enough to fit in her hand, so, this large 6-by-7-foot canvas was a challenge for her.
“I had no idea where to begin, so I just started painting pink all over the canvas. I knew I couldn’t mess up, because with art I look at every mistake as another opportunity to make the piece mine,” Abrams said.
Abrams’ favorite aspects of “Mitosis” are the sequins, glitter and mirrors that she added at the end, inspired by one of her favorite artists, Klimt.
Abrams took pictures of the piece at different stages from the beginning to the end.
“Looking at the pictures, I see what an amazing morphine image the work was,” she said. “I see how texture really built the painting up. It really makes it look incredible.”
Abrams has confidence that this is just the beginning of the artwork you will see from her.
Biography: Jesse Abrams
Year: Senior
Major: Art
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
When not painting, her hobbies are: She likes to knit and has recently taken up weaving.
Why she knits: “I’m just cheap,” Abrams said. “I would rather make things myself.”
Pet peeve: The chewing noise.
Odd trait: She does a special “food dance” when something tastes really good.
The best pet she ever owned: A cat named Tibby. She was in love with the dog next door.
Something that freaks her out: Scary movies.
Her take on reading in general: “Personally, I don’t like reading,” Abrams said. “I make my roommates read to me.”
The motto she lives her life by: “Look at things with a creative eye, not just as they really are, and it will allow for more opportunity and excitement,” Abrams said.
Her favorite choice of footwear: Flip-flops.
Her nickname: “Parka,” because she is always cold.
Favorite movies: “Splash” and the French film “Amelie.”
Her best advice for other artists: “When you put heart into a painting, both you and the viewer will get a lot more out of it,”
Abrams said.
Future plans: “I want to be a professional artist, so I am confident that is just what I will be,” Abrams said.
Novmber 14, 2003