Jessie Shrieves has carved out a place in her art career with captivating still-life paintings that reflect her deep commitment to the craft.Her journey began at Parsons School of Design, where she studied Fine Art. This rigorous training exposed her to various styles and techniques, building a solid foundation for her creative growth. Parsons’ demanding curriculum pushed her to explore different approaches, expanding her artistic repertoire in the process.
Her curiosity about the human form led her to anatomy drawing classes in New York City. Here, she focused on understanding the intricate details of the body, a skill that would later influence her portrait work. It was at The Art Student League where Shrieves truly began to refine her technique. Surrounded by a community of artists and mentors, she absorbed lessons from some of the best. Joe Steffinelli and Anthony Tony, two of her most influential mentors, helped her broaden her artistic horizons. Their guidance encouraged her to experiment with different mediums and styles, breaking away from rigid conventions.
Shrieves’ time at The Art Student League wasn’t just about learning; it was about collaborating and growing as part of a creative community. This environment allowed her to push her boundaries and develop her own voice. Before Parsons officially became part of The New School, she enjoyed a unique experience as a portrait model for Joe Steffinelli. Serving as both student and subject gave her a rare, dual perspective on the artistic process. It also deepened her appreciation for the complexities of portraiture, sharpening her observational skills.
As Shrieves continued her artistic journey, she gravitated towards still-life painting, with flowers becoming a recurring subject. This choice was about more than just aesthetics—it was about understanding how light, texture, and form interact on the canvas. Her work has a way of capturing the quiet beauty of ordinary subjects, turning them into something worth lingering over.
The piece shown here exemplifies her approach. It’s a still-life composition featuring a cluster of fruit, their rounded forms nestled within a shallow, softly-rendered dish. The palette is subdued but not lacking in vibrancy. Splashes of red and yellow peek through the delicate, almost translucent strokes, giving the fruit a sense of vitality. The loose, sketch-like quality of the work feels deliberate, suggesting a spontaneous moment captured in paint.
Shrieves’ technique leans towards minimalism, but it doesn’t feel incomplete. Instead, there’s a sense of clarity in her restraint. Her brushstrokes are confident yet gentle, hinting at the shapes without locking them into harsh lines. This approach leaves room for the viewer’s imagination to fill in the gaps, creating a more personal experience of the artwork.
Color plays an essential role in her work. The reds and yellows are vivid but not overpowering, balanced by the softer grays and whites of the dish and background. This careful control of color gives the piece a calm, understated quality. The viewer isn’t overwhelmed by detail; instead, they’re invited to appreciate the subtle interactions between shape and hue.
Shrieves’ work is also about texture. The roughness of her brushwork contrasts with the smoothness of the dish, emphasizing the tactile qualities of the fruit. This textural contrast adds depth to the piece, making it feel more tangible. Despite its simplicity, the painting feels alive, buzzing with an energy that comes from its rawness.
Her choice to keep the background minimal also contributes to the overall effect. The lack of detail directs attention to the fruit, making it the focal point of the composition. There’s a sense of intimacy here, as if the viewer is being allowed to share in a quiet, unassuming moment.
This piece, like much of Shrieves’ work, embodies a balance between observation and interpretation. It’s not about recreating reality exactly as it is but about conveying an essence. Her process seems to involve stripping away unnecessary elements until only the essentials remain. This simplicity is what makes her work feel so immediate and engaging.
Jessie Shrieves continues to evolve as an artist, building on the foundations laid during her education and early career. Her experiences at Parsons School of Design and The Art Student League have clearly left their mark, but her work has taken on a life of its own. As she continues to explore the world of still-life painting, her dedication to capturing the beauty of everyday subjects remains unwavering.
