About
Jessica James Gilbert
Jessica Gilbert, was born and raised on a small ranch in the mountains of Colorado. Ever since she can remember she has been riding and drawing horses. She’s ridden both Western and English, but her inspiration and her love for the western lifestyle started when she began helping on a local ranch moving cows to the high country. She has a natural way with horses and her deep understanding led her to know how to paint the horse with a critical eye, seeing each horse for its individuality.
As a child, the art world seemed to always find its way into Jessica’s life. Living in a mountain town, she was exposed to many local art shows, gallery openings, concerts, and ballet. Traveling outside of her hometown, she found her love for art museums. The artists’ Jessica discovered and met at art shows, galleries, and museums have been her biggest influences and heroes. These experiences helped her gain an appreciation for the arts.
Jessica received the “June S. Kang Love of the Arts Scholarship” and the “Rotary Scholarship” for her art to attend the University of Denver where she graduated with a BFA. She studied art in Florence, Italy her junior year, exploring different art forms first hand. After graduating, in 2015 she was awarded the “Joe Beeler Scholarship” to attend the first CA workshop taught by Jim Norton and Grant Redden at the Scottsdale Artists’ School in Arizona. This workshop was a valuable experience, helping her grow and learn as a professional artist.
Jim Rey, a renowned cowboy artist is Jessica’s mentor. She has connected with Jim Rey artistically. His encouragement and guidance was a turning point in her young career. Jim’s son, Bill Rey, owner of Claggett Rey Gallery, has also been very influential in Jessica’s life, guiding and supporting her as a professional artist.
Over the past few years Jessica has been featured and supported by galleries in Vail, Beaver Creek Colorado and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Recently Jessica was married and is living in her home state of Colorado. She is painting full time, working in her studio at home creating a body of work, influenced by the west. She uses oil paints to create a minimal, feminine touch in western art, focusing on the horse and cowboy or cowgirl. Always striving to learn, experiment and create, capturing the modern day cowboy. Jessica was featured in Southwest Art Magazine as one of the top 21 under 31 young artists as well as Western Art Collectors emerging artists to watch. This year show will be attending her fourth year at Cowgirl Up show in Wickenburg Arizona, where she recieved the “People’s Choice Award.”
At the young age of 27, Jessica is just starting her career that will last a lifetime. She is not afraid to stay the course and keep the passion, go beyond, take risks or afraid to fail. She is not afraid to fly beyond and learn from those she admires, understanding that it’s a process and a journey, not a race.
Gallery
Jace Rommick Gallery, Steamboat Springs https://www.jaceromickgallery.com
Featured In
Art of the West, March 2020
Western Art Collector, April 2018
Todays Emerging Artists
Southwest Art Magazine, March 2018
Western Art and Architecture, April -May 2018
Arizona Republic, March 22, 2018
Western Art Collector, March 2018
Cowboys and Indians Magazine, October 2017
Vail Daily, July, 6 2017
Southwest Art Magazine, 21 Under 31 Young Artists to Watch, September 2016
Colorado Homes & Lifestyles, November-December 2014
Vail Valley Magazine
Art: Vail Valley Gallery Guide