Additional paintings are available in my studio that I have not posted yet, please contact me to see my additional work.
I am accepting commissions at this time. Contact me at jessQ.art@gmail.com to inquire about commissions.
"Sweetened After Frost"
40”x 60” x 1.5" Oil Painting, painting continues around edges.
It may be argued kale was first introduced to American in the 19th century or as early as 1669, but this plant has been around much longer. Thought to of originated in eastern Mediterranean, it was cultivated for food around 2000 BCE, in Greece by the 4th century BC. The earliest record of cabbages in western Europe in the 13th century. During World War II, the cultivation of kale in the U.K. was encouraged by the Dig for Victory campaign. The vegetable was easy to grow and provided important nutrients missing from a diet because of rationing. It also helped that kale is hardy and thrives in the wintertime. Kale is cold-hardy and actually tastes sweeter and more flavorful after a frost.
Contact for shipping costs jessq.art@gmail.com
Oh Happy Days
36”x 36” x 1.5" Oil Painting, painting continues around edges.
Peonies are loved for their elegance, ornate delicate petals and sweet-scented fragrance. All flowers and plants hold different symbolic meanings; the symbolisms associated with the peony are luck, prosperity, love, and good fortune.
In China peonies are known as the “queen of flowers” or “king of flowers” because before the plum tree, peonies were considered as the country’s national flower. The peony is also the state flower of Indiana, and the flower to be given on a 12th wedding anniversary. This lush perennial blossoms between late spring and early summer and, if cared for properly, can continue blooming for nearly 100 years.
In the language of flowers, one symbolism of pink flowers is happiness. “Oh Happy Days” plays on the rich symbolism of the peony along with the color pink. Luck and good fortune definitely bring about happy days.
"Lasting Grace"
36”x 36” x 1.5" Oil Painting, painting continues around edges.
Every flower has its own symbolic meaning and significance. No matter which flower is your favorite, there is a lot to know and learn about it. Cultures around the world adore flowers and have used them as symbols to express various emotions and even social issues. Dahlias are native to Mexico and Guatemala, where they grow like weeds in open valleys. These native wildflowers were actually first cultivated by the Aztecs who held them in high regard and associated them with the sun gods. It is believed that the Aztecs used parts of the dahlia for food and medicine.
As for symbolism, dahlias symbolize grace, change, uniqueness, kindness, elegance, creativity, dignity, commitment and balance. For this painting, I identify it with the symbol of grace, it’s beautiful, posed and controlled. If this dahlia represented a person, it would be a person of high standards and morals while staying graceful in life.
Contact for shipping costs jessq.art@gmail.com
Beautiful Nymph
There are couple Greek myths that tell how the peony got its name. The Greek myth that this painting was named from tells the story of the nymph Paeonia. Paeonia was so extraordinarily stunning that she attracted the attention of Apollo, the sun god and son of Zeus. Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, was not known for her loyalty, and was at the time (even though married to Hephaestus, Greek god of blacksmiths) having a fling with Apollo, and witnessed them together. She grew jealous of Paeonia’s beauty and Apollo’s attraction to her, so out of spite Aphrodite turned the nymph Paeonia into a peony flower.
"Sweet Essence"
24”x 24” x 1.5" Oil Painting, painting continues around edges.
Irises were valued by the early Indian and Egyptian people for their medicinal uses and for the manufacturing of perfumes. The perfumes, in particular, were used as offerings to the gods. During the times of the Renaissance, the iris rhizomes were crushed, then sieved and mixed with rice powder, which then gave off a sweet violet scent. Rice powder was used to perfume wigs, the face and also clothes.
The scent is delicate, complex and accentuates over time to become very persistent. In perfumery, iris is both floral and woody, with buttery accents and evocative notes of violet. Some even find it has a dry and strawy aspect. You can find iris in colognes and perfumes such as, Chanel 19, Hermès Women's Hiris Hermès and Dior Homme By Christian Dior For Men.
Contact for shipping costs jessq.art@gmail.com
Bestowers of Wisdom
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24x48x1.5" Oil on Canvas
Besides the common theme of purple being a symbol for royalty and wisdom; purple irises also symbolize respect and honor – whether for others or even yourself. This painting is named “Bestowers of Wisdom” as a way to pay tribute to and honor three mentors I have had on my artistic path. One ignited my creative mind, one slightly confused but secretly pushed me and the third took me under their wing when I had lost my way. They bestowed their wisdom onto me and others to allow the beauty of art into the world.
Patience
18”x18” x 1.5" Painting continues around edges.
The Protea flowers are more commonly known as Sugarbushes where they are commonly grown in South Africa and Australia. Protea flowers are particularly interesting because they are part of an ancient family that dates back to the earliest forms of flowering plant life. They come in a wide variety of colors but don’t have much of a fragrance.
The protea gracefully regenerates itself after severe wildfires. Their seeds remain wrapped in a seed pod that prevents germination and it isn’t until a bush fire burns up the dried flower material, that they release their seed into the environment. This is how the Protea flowers became a symbol of survival and being able to handle the most challenging conditions. “Patience” was named because of the time the dried-up flower waits to reseed and bloom again, which is dependent on when the next wildfire happens.
Persevere
18”x18” x 1.5" Painting continues around edges.
The King Protea was named by Botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1735. He named the flower after the Greek god Proteus, Proteus was the first son of the Greek god Poseidon, who was known for shifting his form as needed, water, animal or plant. It is said that the protea flower was named after him because it, too, presents itself in an astounding variety of shapes, sizes, hues and textures to make up more than 1,400 varieties. Based on fossil findings, scientists have established that the proteas are among the oldest flowering plants on the planet, first appearing nearly 300 million years ago.
The primary symbolic meanings of the protea flower are strength, courage and resilience, since the plant survives in extreme climate conditions. Proteas also symbolize diversity, due to the hundreds of variations in color and shape. “Persevere” was named because of the flowers continued struggle to survive and thrive in harsh environments with dry, hot summers and wet, cold winters.
Symphony in Purple and Green
24"x36"x1.5"
Painting continues around the edges
This is a close-up, almost abstract painting of a succulent. The colors and movements within the succulent are as beautiful as the music in a symphony.
2022 Honorable Mention Award at the 114th Des Moines Women's Club Art Show
"Reach for the Impossible"
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14x12x.75"
Black Floater Framed
The color of blue is not common to roses and they are typically dyed to achieve their richness. Blue roses symbolize mystery, and their unique hue is perfect for celebrating those who aren't afraid to be themselves. The rare nature of true blue flowers makes them all the more appealing. In the Romanticism movement, blue flowers represented striving for the impossible, unattainable and unreachable. They convey the message of "reach for the stars", "dream big!" or in the case of this painting “Reach for the Impossible”.
"Prickly Pride"
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15x30x1.5" Oil on Canvas
I am drawn to the beauty and oddity of thistles; the rough almost scaly looking bracts with their puff of purple or blue florets. The thistle is known for its ability to survive in harsh conditions and is considered to be one of nature’s toughest flowers. It is defined as both a flower and a weed, depending on who you ask, and also has both negative and positive symbolism associated with it including, pain, inconvenience, aggression, bravery, devotion, pride, strength, protection. “Prickly Pride” got its name with symbolism on both sides, a little negativity and a little positivity.
Forward Into Light
36”x60”x1.5"
This painting, although seems to take on orange hues, are deep yellow roses. I created this painting of yellow roses in support of the 19th Amendment to the U.S Constitution, which was ratified on August 18, 1920 and gave women the right to vote. In Tennessee, on the day of the vote for the 19th Amendment, August 18, 1920, those that opposed the 19th amendment wore a red rose on their lapel, those in favor wore a yellow rose. The red roses barely outnumbered the yellow. The speaker of the Tennessee House called each of the state legislators to give their vote, it was a 48 to 48 tie, until the youngest member, Harry Burns, switched his vote to “yea”. When asked for the reason of his switch on voting he told them of the telegram he had received from his mother that urged him to do the right thing and vote in favor of the amendment.
The yellow rose has been an important symbol for women’s equality; the color yellow was chosen based on it being the color of light and life. In the women’s suffrage movement, the yellow rose became a symbol of support, and ultimately, a symbol of victory. “Forward into Light” represents the work and dedication that so many put into getting the 19th Amendment ratified.