Varick and I met Jessica Becker shortly after we opened the shop opened and loved her energy right off the bat. We mentioned wanting to put her work up at some point so when she started posting about her latest Frida piece, We thought Wolf & Cub would make a perfect spot to showcase it. She unveiled her process on social media as she shared out images of the hundreds of lashes she glued on to give Frida her epic brow, the hand embroidery floral details of Frida's dress, and even Frida's jewelry which was made specifically for the 3D piece out of found objects! Head over to her Instagram to see the pics, and more, for yourself!) It's always fun to get a glimpse into the behind the scenes workings of what it takes to create a work of art. She uses a variety of processes to complete her work and you can feel the love in the finished product. Stop by Wolf & Cub on Wednesday night from 5:30 to 8:30p to view her latest works. (Click here to visit our Facebook Event Page to find out more!)
In the meantime, read on to find out more about this awesome Jacksonville based artist and hear the inspiration behind her work and what's coming up next!
Wolf & Cub: Where are you from? If not from here, how long have you been in Jax?
Jessica Becker: I was born in Ft. Lauderdale moved to Jacksonville at the age of four. I lived in Peoria, IL from 1999-2003 and moved back to Jacksonville because I couldn’t handle the cold weather. I now call Atlantic Beach my home.
W&C: What do you consider some of your major influences to be?
JB: Music is my major influence. All of my portraits are of musicians with the exception of Frida. The singers I chose have a very strong and unique presence which inspires me to seek my own individuality and self-confidence regardless of pressure to conform to social norms.
W&C: We love that you chose strong females as subjects in your work. What is inspiring you most right now?
JB: Thanks! I appreciate the compliment and glad that my intention behind the paintings are recognized. Not to say there won't be a guy in my 3D painting collection but my paintings within the past couple years have been majority women because of the connection I have with the artist I'm painting or the image of the artists gives off the expression that best explains my feeling at that time What inspires me right now is the Women’s March. The march has inspired me to make a doll from my likeness with a shirt demonstrating the power women hold. It represents another fight because we have not stopped fighting for equality.
W&C: How did you pick Frida as your latest subject to immortalize?
JB: I chose her because she’s a female icon that symbolizes strength, power, and beauty. She painted her own reality so I used her portrait to paint my reality and all the symbolism in the painting represents what I’m going through in my life currently.
W&C: Tell us about some of your big mural projects!
JB: Restaurant TacoLu is my biggest accomplishment. Owners Don and Debbie Nicol trusted me to painted the side of their 3 story building and 8 other murals inside. The outside mural was my 3rd mural. I’d only painted a skate ramp and a 7’ x 7’ space before being asked to paint the side of their restaurant. I’m forever grateful for their trust and the amazing opportunities it’s given me from doing their murals.
Other big murals I've done can be seen locally at Carribbean Connection (Front and Back of building), Lynch's Irish Pub (Tullamore D.E.W. Room), Backyard Pops, NAS JAX (Teen & Youth Center) and Girl Scouts of Gateway Council in Murray Hill (Entrance hallway murals). I also have murals in Miami Wynwood District at two popular clubs SHOTS and Brick.
W&C: What’s next? Do you have any big projects coming up?
JB: I have a big project in Destin, FL at the end of February where I’ll be painting decorative murals in an entire house.