Artist's Statement
My art is often more of an exploration of materials and
techniques rather than content with an underlying theme
often related to life. I particularly enjoy working with the
various media of printmaking in that they “grant” me the
freedom to make mistakes—mistakes that become successes.
Printmaking as an unpredictable process often forces me to
let go of being in control. I also work with various media
associated with drawing, which include pencil and charcoal.
Even though my work is often an exploration of media and
techniques, I find that I am drawn to people as my subject
matter. This is possibly due to the discovery as a student
that drawing people was one of my strengths. I also enjoy
the surrounding beauty of nature (and am somewhat fearful of
the loss of this beauty due to commercialization); the
content of some of my works reflect my interest in nature.
My somewhat abstracted images of nature are often metaphors
related to the journey of life.
Bio
Jessie L. Whitehead’s birth and formative years occurred in
Picayune, Mississippi. Her academic credentials include a
Ph.D. in Art Education from Florida State University, a MFA.
in Printmaking and a BFA. in Drawing and Painting from
Mississippi University for Women. Dr. Whitehead’s
teaching/learning experiences have taken place at
institutions such as the University of Georgia, Lincoln
University of Missouri, and Alabama State University. Prior
to entering the academic arena, she worked as a technical
artist for NASA. She also worked for the Leon County (FL)
School Board’s Department of Program Monitoring and
Evaluation. She presently is an Assistant Professor at
Southern Connecticut State University in Art Education. Her
artistic creative efforts have been displayed in New Haven,
Dallas, Atlanta, Tallahassee, Biloxi, Jackson, MS; and
Knoxville, TN. Dr. Whitehead’s scholarly research interest
revolves around cultural diversity. Her scholarly works
include Women Rights and the Visual; Theorizing Experience:
Women Artists of Color; Identity and the Creative Domain;
and Totem Poles and Masks: Diversity Within. Venues for
presentations include Oxford, UK, Chicago, New York City,
Los Angeles, Denver, and New Orleans.
Web Site:
http://www.southernct.edu/art/jessiewhitehead/
