passion
My name is Jessica Baron. I'm an art educator and artist living in Joliet, Illinois.
I have loved creating art my entire life. My family would often encourage me to channel my creativity into drawing and painting when I was young. During my sophomore year in high school, I decided that I wanted to focus on art and design as future career. I completed a two year computer applications vocational program where I learned the Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Premier and video editing software Media 100.
After graduating high school, I began freelancing graphic design and taking classes at Joliet Junior College. I transferred to the University of St. Francis where I majored in Visual Art Education and graduated with my K-12 grade certification to teach art in 2013. Since then, I've been teaching high school students and creating my own work outside of the classroom.
education
- University of St. Francis Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Visual Art Education, May 2013.
- Joliet Junior College Associates in Arts degree, August 2010.
- CERTIFICATION: Illinois Type 10 Teaching Certificate in Visual Arts Education K-12, Received May 2013.
media
When it comes to media, I am always willing to experiment and try new forms of art making. I've worked with graphite, ink, charcoal, pastel, colored pencil, watercolor/gouache, acrylic paint, plaster, sculpey, ceramic, glass fusing, resin, screen printing, linoleum block printing, water marbling, sculpture, jewelry/metals, photography, video editing, and digital illustration/design.
Currently, the work I enjoy creating the most is a combination of gouache watercolor, ink, and colored pencil. I love the sense of creative freedom I get from mixing mediums. I also create portraits in charcoal.
goals
My future goal is to continue my education and start my Master of Fine Art degree in the next year or two. I also plan on continuing to teach and create my own artwork. I never tire of experimenting with art and refining my technical skills.
influences
I look up to many artists that range in style and notoriety. Here are just a few of my current favorites and influences in no particular order:
Greg and Tim Hildebrandt, Frida Kahlo, Gervasio Gallardo, Frank Frazetta, Akiane Kramarik, Michael J. Green, Nikifor Krynicki, Alphonse Mucha, Elsa Beskow, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Hayao Miyazaki, Kehinde Wiley, Kara Walker, Kiki Smith, Wayne White, Bernie Wrightson, Maurice Senak, Mary Blair, Mark Riddick, Lois van Baarle, John Bauer, Jim Henson, and Lorien Stern just to name a few.
events & exhibitions
- USF Senior Thesis Exhibit, April - May 2013. Joliet, IL.
- Waterstreet Studios Annual Art Exhibit, August - September 2020, Batavia, IL.
- ArtConnectED & IAEA Annual Art Educator's Exhibition, May-July 2022, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL.
- USF Alumni Exhibition August 2022. Joliet, IL.
- Chicagoland 4x5 October 2023, Oswego High School.
- Norris Cultural Arts Center, Watercolor Competition 2024, St. Charles, IL.