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.
Beautiful Nymph
36”x 36” x 1.5" Painting continues around edges.
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.
Bestowers of Wisdom
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"
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"
Sold out
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.
Fevered Grace
30”x40”x1.5"
The rose is a timeless flower and each color and shade of a rose has multiple meanings. Pink is one of the most popular rose colors and some of the symbolize associated with the pink booms are elegance, refinement, sweetness, and femininity. With so many shades of pink though, the meaning can actually vary between the different hues. Deep and hot pink roses convey appreciation, gratitude, and recognition whereas light pink roses are more often associated with grace, gentleness, joy, and happiness. Pink roses also represent innocent love, and make a good choice in the early phases of a romantic relationship. The title Fevered Grace was inspired by the “fevered” look on the cheeks of a new romantic couple and grace is one of the meanings of the light pink rose.
Lady Aquarius
48”x60”
Lady Aquarius was only the second succulent I painted and it was the largest painting I had ever attempted. I realized quickly that I LOVED to paint large. Echeveria is the technical name of this type of succulent that has about 150 species of succulent plants. 'Lady Aquarius' is the name of this particular succulent; it is a graceful evergreen succulent with large rosettes of delicately ruffled, soft blue leaves. Succulents are linked with the symbols of persistence and determination which is represented in their longevity and ability to survive even in difficult conditions. They can thrive and even reproduce new plants from the droppings of their leaves, showing that determination and the right attitude can help you succeed after difficult situations.
It may seem that I took the easy route to name this painting, but when I researched this succulent and learned of its name, Lady Aquarius, I knew the name would also become the title of this painting. I’m an Aquarius and I ran into a difficult time while I was in the middle of painting this piece. I injured a finger on my dominate hand, I had surgery and was not able to paint for months. When I came back to my painting studio, I was afraid to restart this piece, for fear of messing up something I started so long ago, but I was determined to finish it. The name encompasses my determination to complete this painting after my own difficulties.
Courageous Wonder
30”x40” x1.5"
The red rose has many meanings but typically the first one that comes to mind when you think of a red rose is love. I wanted to look beyond the common “love” meaning and dig deeper into the symbolism of the red rose when naming this painting; I found courage as another symbol. The red rose became a symbol of courage from the War of Roses, the courage to fight for what you love. The War of Roses was a series of civil wars for the throne of England in the mid to late fifteenth century between two competing royal families, the House of York and the House of Lancaster. The name "Wars of the Roses" refers to the heraldic badges associated with the two rival families, the White Rose of York and the Red Rose of Lancaster. King Henry VII (Henry Tudor) ended the War of Roses and the long feuding families, when he married Elizabeth of York. This union ended the Wars of the Roses and gave rise to the Tudor Dynasty.
Enigmatic Delicacy
24”x48"x1.5”
I started this zucchini bloom painting in the beginning of 2017 before I took a trip to India. The people we visited in India were interested in seeing the paintings that I had created. I showed them many photos and they enjoyed the large colorful blooms but when I showed them the start of this painting one person in particular was very confused, she exclaimed “we eat those!” I believe she was perplexed at why I would paint this “food or delicacy” when I claimed to paint flowers. I also learned that in India flowers are not bought and given to show or display of love or caring towards others; but instead bought and strung up to put above the door of a new home or vehicle to serve as a blessing.
After I came back from India, I finished the painting but the memories of my travel stayed with me when it was time to title this painting. I chose “Enigmatic Delicacy” because of the perplexed lady who found it odd that I painted a zucchini bloom which is seen as a delicacy to many. The word enigmatic represent a mystery, perplexing or puzzling situation. Delicacy is something delightful or pleasing, especially a food considered with regard to its rarity or costliness.