On May 6th of 2015 Jessica Hess started the massive painting that would become “No Life Guard On Duty.” After “14 days of work, over 2 1/2 weeks and over 200 hours” she would be applying the final glaze to the 48 x 72 Inch canvas. Check out the awesome evolution starting with her trip to Detroit taking reference photos throughout the city’s abandoned places, then follow the painting process via her Instagram @jessicahessart to see the piece from the first sketching through the final glaze and the piece on view at her solo exhibition More Is More at Hashimoto Contemporary. Scroll through below to watch the piece come to life and close the circle by grabbing one of these beautiful prints from Jessica Hess today now at 1xRUN…
“Friends have been telling me for years that I needed to explore Detroit. I finally had the opportunity to do so last summer in 2014. It was an urbex wonderland! I only had two short days to gather photo reference of the city for my paintings and was overwhelmed by the volume of material I was able to gather in that short amount of time.” – Jessica Hess
“I understand all the negative circumstances surrounding the deterioration of parts of the city, but I choose to focus my paintings on the positive aftermath of the economic fall: the rise and reclamation of the city by artists. My paintings seek to capture the wonder and excitement in exploring what was once familiar, now otherworldly, the beauty in decay. I am comforted in my wanderings by the marks left by others, the explorers before me, the haunting art that is left behind.” – Jessica Hess
“My painting ” No Lifeguard in Duty” was from the Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center. I am told that it has now been slated for redevelopment. I guess the graffiti party is over. Sadly, the majority of my subjects disappear soon after I paint them. It makes me feel like some kind of Grim Reaper of architecture. But for years now I have had remarkable luck in capturing them before they go.” – Jessica Hess
Sorry if my progress isn’t that obvious. This is actually 12 hours of work since my last post. I am hauling ass on this one with the hope that it will be the PR image for my solo show in August. #sketch #planning #reference #perspective #artstudio #process #painting #canvas #workworkwork #workinprogress #jessicahess A photo posted by Jessica Hess (@jessicahessart) on
Color! #sketch #planning #reference #perspective #artstudio #process #painting #canvas #underpainting #detroit #graffiti #urbex #artstudio #jessicahess #workinprogress A photo posted by Jessica Hess (@jessicahessart) on
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