Jessie Xu
AQ is our series of hardcover catalogs celebrating extraordinary women artists. Available on Amazon. Visit the AQ Catalog Webpage to learn more.
Jessie Xu, featured in AQ Volume V, is a portrait artist born in 2002 in Shanghai, China. She went to New York City for art education and graduated with a BFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in 2024. Her work focuses on using traditional oil painting techniques to capture the spirit of her subjects after discovering her passion and potential for portraiture while attending college, under the guidance of an experienced professional.
Jessie’s paintings blend Eastern and Western ways of thinking. Her experiences growing up and studying art across cultures have given her unique perspectives that diversify her approach to art. Her works are distinguished by her sensitivity to color and her remarkable ability to portray eyes, which draw attention and emphasize deep essence in her portraits.
https://jessiexart.com/
What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you decide to commit to this path?
I knew from the very beginning that I would become an artist. Art has never left my life. I was born in 2002 and I discovered my interest in art in 2001. Growing up, I often thought and acted a bit outside the box. My childhood teachers called me “artist” in a sarcastic way instead of by my name ("Artist" was more related to weirdos in the Chinese context back then), but I secretly loved it because I always wanted to be one. I didn’t decide to commit to this path; every decision I've made started from this path. As a child, I didn’t know walls weren’t free canvases but I drew all over them. As a teenager, I didn’t know I was going to study overseas, but I did know that I was going to an art college.
Could you share the story or concept behind your recent work?
I recently painted a portrait of a historical figure. This was quite meaningful! My client had purchased an old historic house from the 19th century, named after a prominent local figure of the time. The current owner wanted to honor him with a portrait. However, they could only find a blurry black-and-white photo from an old obituary in the 1920s. Using limited reference, I imagined the details and painted a portrait based on my interpretation of his appearance, drawing inspiration from an article that told the story of his life. Now, he will be forever memorialized with his house. The current owner considers the portrait an heirloom piece that will be passed down to any new owners in the future. I'm happy to create something that lives on in their timeless story!
What was the most challenging part of your path so far? How are you navigating this obstacle?
One of my biggest problems was finding my own artistic style. The differences in Eastern and Western aesthetics and cultural preferences used to confuse me too. Like everyone else, I love cartoons, movies, animations, illustrations—everything that looks cool visually—and I greatly look up to the leading figures in the art world. But it wasn't any specific one that inspired me to start drawing. I simply love the process of making art. This led to a lack of consistency in my work because art education exposes us to various styles, media, and subjects. I eventually started to think deeply and recognize my advantages. I think I have a decent answer now. I love oil painting, and I enjoy focusing on a single piece for a long time, quietly filling up the canvas with details.
What role does experimentation and exploration play in your artistic practice?
As mentioned earlier, I used to struggle with maintaining a consistent style. One of the other reasons was that I always wanted to try new approaches with each piece. It hasn’t changed. I bought an unnecessarily large amount of pigments with similar colors, to experiment and observe the tiny differences between brands and shades. It drained my wallet, haha. But to refine my technique and develop a palette that suits me, it’s worth it.
Do you have any start or stop rituals before creating?
Every art requires an emphasis on the overall composition, so I often step back to view my ongoing work from a distance, ensuring that every part is harmonious and balanced. Sometimes, I take a break from staring at the painting and return after a few seconds. That way, it brings a fresh perspective that helps me notice any mistakes I missed. This happens especially when I'm nearing the end of a painting. I would repeatedly go through this "review" section. At this stage in the process, I am someone, who has been sitting for a long time, suddenly standing up and swaying back and forth like a swing, occasionally walking away from the canvas just to spin around, then returning to pace in front of the painting again. It probably looks a little funny to others. I’d like to think of it as a "one last dance," a little ritual before the work is truly finished.
What message do you hope your art conveys to the world?
My goal is to make the subjects in my painting look just like they are alive or right in front of us. I want the viewer’s eyes to feel comfortable when looking at my work!
Share a mantra or favorite quote that keeps you going.
“On my first day of school, the president of PCA told the entire freshman class, ‘Out of all the students in the room, only two of you were going to be successful.’ And I thought to myself, I wonder who the other one is.” — Marvin Mattelson
