Capturing Creatives • Meet Jessica Zoob
The wonderful world of blogging leads you to many different people. And every day I meet someone new who inspires me. The creativity I see every day on my Instagram or Pinterest feed just blows me away and no more so than the talented artist I want to introduce you to today.
When we moved to our house back in September we knew no one and nothing! Nothing about the area at all really, and set about exploring, finding little spots for lunches, nice shops for pretty things for the house and local people with incredible skills. I've found a cake maker, a wine merchant, a furniture maker, an antiques emporium I could visit week on week if I could squeeze in the time, and on a visit to Frome we discovered a stunning interior boutique. In the window was the most gorgeous fabric I have ever seen. Like a painting bursting out of the curtains.
I dived in and asked about the designer and that was when I discovered Jessica Zoob.
Rich and I have quite similar taste when it comes to our interior style. There are a few odd bits which he could live without (Do we need a pair of wooden shoe moulds on the fireplace? Oh yes darling of course we do!) but generally we both agree on our mis match, modern heritage style. Contemporary pieces next to painted vintage furniture, clean lines and a muted backdrop with pops of colour.
But when it came to my love of Jessica, he had also fallen hook line and sinker! The first thing we bought for the house was one of her gorgeous linen cushions. Wrapped in tissue in a sleek box, it felt like we had purchased a new family heirloom! We didn't have flooring or curtains or even sofas, but we had the perfect cushion!
Jessica's designs are pieces of art to get lost in. It's no surprise that her Big Smile collection won the Elle Decoration Best British Pattern award last year. I see something different every time I look at one of her paintings. I love her creative process, how she uses everything around her, her travels, her home to inspire her. And best of all, she shares lots of behind the scenes photos on her Instagram feed! Her feet splattered with all the colours of the rainbow, these gigantic canvasses sprawled from end to end of her studio.
It is a riot of colour and imagination and I was so thrilled when she agreed to let me share a little more about herself on the blog.
1. Hello Jessica! Do you wake up in the morning wanting to paint or do you have a habitual routine when it comes to your work?
I do wake up every morning wanting to paint but it's not always possible! However, I am lucky enough to have an amazing studio not far from my home. It is a wonderful, peaceful space with stunning views of the Sussex countryside and once there I forget everything else and immerse myself in my paintings.
2. How do you decide which colours to paint with?
The choice of colours just seem to come instinctively with each piece I work on. I adore working with oils as the colours are so rich and vivid. In my latest collection Playtime I became obsessed with wild crazy colour!
3. How long does each piece usually take to finish?
It varies but some pieces can take years. The layers of thick, lavish oils are built up and scraped back over weeks and months and the paintings change and transform until I am happy with the final piece which can be very different to how it started. Almost like building up layers of history and then revealing hidden secrets.
4. Have you got plans to expand your product line? Could you see a clothing range in the future?
I have already collaborated with Romo who translated a selection of my paintings beautifully onto fabrics, wallcoverings and cushions. We are currently discussing possible additions to the Desire range. To celebrate my Playtime solo show in Belgravia which started on the 20th May, I have created a collection of iPad cases, iPhone cases and travel mugs They will only be available for a limited period, until my Playtime exhibition at the Loughran Gallery finishes on June 14th I would love to create a couture clothing collection with a fashion designer and I am started to look for the right collaboration. Art and fashion is such a fabulous combination!
5. How do you feel when you see someone Tweet, Instagram or Facebook a photo of one of your pieces in their home?
It's wonderful when I see one of my pieces on a social media network. I especially love seeing what interior designers have created with the Jessica Zoob Desire collection for Romo and how it has transformed a room or piece of furniture. You can see many of these on my Pinterest board.
6. Do you have your work in your home?
I have lots of my paintings on the walls of my home. Big Smile, the winner of Elle Decoration's Best British Design Award is one of my favourites and probably my most treasured piece. I open up my house for the last two weekends of August and the first weekend in September for the Lewes Artwave festival when people can pop in, see old and new works and buy directly from me.
I loved seeing Jessica's home in the festive 25 Beautiful Homes magazine edition. It made me realise just how intertwined her work and interior style is and the lights and bunting hanging from the ceilings, oh what a joy!
Jessica has very kindly offered to GIVEAWAY one of her iPhone cases as a special gift to one of my followers so leave a comment on this post or this Instagram photo to enter.
There are 9 to choose from so which one is your favourite?!
Thank you so much for sharing a little more about your stunning work!
You can find Jessica:
Twitter @jessicazoobart
Facebook JessicaZoobArtist
Instagram @jessicazoobart
Pinterest JessicaZoobArt
Her Playtime Solo Show runs until the 14th June at the Loughran Gallery in Belgravia, London.