Jessie Ross

Jessie Ross currently lives and works in NYC. After graduating from Parsons School of Design, she worked in the fashion industry for many years designing scarves and accessories for brands such as Coach and Banana Republic. She began painting during the COVID pandemic while living in isolation at the Jersey Shore. Her work often depicts marine life she would find washed ashore during walks along the beach.

Since leaving the fashion industry after the birth of her daughter in 2023, she has focused her creative energy on her painting practice.


Artist Statement

Jessie Ross’ watercolor paintings invite observers to immerse themselves in a realm where the natural and imaginative intertwine. By turning the familiar into the unfamiliar, she aims to challenge our perception of the world around us. Her work often abstractly morphs flora and fauna to create whimsical arrangements of objects. Her practice begins with a precise plan that is later abandoned to the spontaneity of watercolor.

Jessie draws inspiration from her interactions with nature, using its shapes, textures, and colors as a starting point. Her escapes from New York City into quiet, remote landscapes are later filtered through the city's energy and chaos, becoming layered reflections of our complex relationship with the natural world.


jessieross.net

What themes or emotions are you exploring in your current work?

I’m interested in the tension between beauty and fragility and how the natural world often feels both magical and fleeting. My work plays with transformation and perception, turning organic forms into surreal, dreamlike arrangements.


What does your creative process look like?

I usually start with a specific plan using reference images, sketches, or digital mockups to shape an idea. Once I begin painting, I embrace the unpredictability of watercolor. That push and pull between control and spontaneity is where I find the most interesting things happen.


What inspires you outside of the visual arts?

Nature is a constant source of inspiration, especially when I’m hiking, diving, or exploring new environments while traveling. Bringing those memories back to the chaos and electricity of New York City adds a layer of contrast that often influences the energy and composition of my work.


How do you balance personal expression with the business side of your career?

I try to stay grounded in why I make art and focus on creating work that feels meaningful to me. Having a background in design helps when it comes to the professional side, but I’ve learned to move at a pace that supports creativity. I approach the business side as part of the larger practice.


What do you hope viewers feel or take away from your work?

I hope my work invites a moment of curiosity or reflection. I want viewers to feel a sense of wonder and see something familiar in a new way. If it inspires them to look more closely at the natural world, that means a lot to me.