Meet Jessica Locklar: Painter | Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Locklar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, how do you think about risk?
Every time I share a new piece or body of work, I feel as though I am sharing a peek into my diary, psyche, and soul. Opening yourself to the world to see, relate, and potentially to judge you, feels risky. You are opening yourself to criticism, not just on your artistic merit and skill, but your world view and life experience. However, the risk is outweighed by the reward. You connect to others, indulge and inspire in ways you never fully understand. It takes strength and courage to be vulnerable and open. It takes a risk. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I feel as though these past few years I have grown as an artist, and have reclaimed some myself from past trauma. It’s taken hard work and pain to grow though it, but I am on my way. My work seems to reflect where I was on my journey of identity and acceptance. It may not be obvious for the viewer, but when I look at my oeuvre, I can see the chapters. I feel a bit of fun and humor making its way into my world again, and injecting itself into my art. This is an exciting experience for me, because I’ve had to deal with some serious subjects in the past. I am currently working on a deck of cards based on the chic aesthetic of the 60s, which is something new to me, and it is a -blast-. Some of the best lessons I have learned on this arduous journey are the following: do not ignore your instinct and vision. Create work that makes you feel something, and to deal with something that has been festering. LET IT OUT. You don’t always have to share your motivation. You don’t have to justify how you feel or what you’ve made; you owe it to NO ONE. Make it! Whatever it is. And it is important to be gentle with yourself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d take them to the World of Coke! Just kidding… We’d brunch it up EVERYWHERE! From Rising Son, to Goldberg’s, to Homegrown, to Buttermilk Kitchen, to Sun in My Belly, to Le Petit Marche. I don’t care how basic it makes me sound, if they have brunch I am there and if you’re staying with me, then so are you!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Lynne Tanzer deserves all the credit! She is a champion of the arts, women, and coffee.

Website: JessicaLocklar.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessica_locklar/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwingingSixtiesCards
Other: https://www.redbubble.com/people/SepiaDreamscape/explore?page=1&sortOrder=recent